MEDIA ADVISORY: Mother’s Day Rally Demands Compassion for Children Sentenced to Die in Prison

Press Contact: 

Sarah Morris, 267.217.3372

May 3, 2016

Attn: News Desk
For Immediate Release
Press Contact: Sarah Morris, (267) 217-3372

Mother’s Day Rally Demands Compassion for Children Sentenced to Die in Prison

WHAT:  Press conference and demonstration 

WHEN:  Friday, May 6th, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.

WHERE:  North side of Philadelphia City Hall

WHO:  The Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration (CADBI)Speakers include mothers of people serving Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) sentences, people who were sentenced to Life Without Parole as young adults, prerecorded audio of someone currently serving a JLWOP sentence, and other members of the Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration.

WHY:  Despite two U.S. Supreme Court decisions clarifying that mandatory Life Without Parole sentences (also known as “Death By Incarceration”) for juveniles are unconstitutional, elected officials like Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams have failed to act on behalf of the more than 500 people sentenced as children to die in prison. The Friday before Mother’s Day, CADBI and supporters will converge on City Hall to demand compassion and redemption for people sentenced as children to die in prison. They are demanding an end to Juvenile Life Without Parole, a swift and meaningful resentencing process for those already serving this sentence, and for transformative forms of justice that address root causes of violence and create space for healing and rebuilding in Philadelphia and across the state.

VISUALS:  Giant Mother’s Day Card delivered to the District Attorney containing messages from mothers and families of people sentenced to die in prison, people serving JLWOP sentences, and people working to bring them home.

Giant banners and signs emphasizing the need for compassion, redemption, and healing.  

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The Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration is a coalition working to end Life Without Parole sentences in Pennsylvania. Learn more at http://decarceratepa.info/CADB