1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006
History of the Greater Kansas City Chapter
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1986
Father Ernie Gauthier works through Catholic Charities. Cathy Burnett is Death Penalty Coordinator for Amnesty International Group #115.
Death Row Residents = 29 Executions = 0
1987
Amnesty International Campaign Against the Death Penalty in the United States.
Death Row Residents = 36 Executions = 0
1988
Father Ernie goes on sabbatical. Lethal Injection legislation passes.
Death Row Residents = 48 Executions = 0
1989
Resumption of Missouri executions: Tiny Mercer by lethal injection at the Walls. Juvenile legislation superceded by Stanford vs. Kentucky. "Death row" moved to Potosi. Meeting at Public Library, telephone tree developed.
Death Row Residents = 50 Executions = 1
1990
Began discussion about Mental Retardation legislation. Doctoral student began working with Burnett. Began silent vigils on eve of executions.
Death Row Residents = 52 Executions = 4
1991
Mental Retardation legislation continues.
Death Row Residents = 63 Executions = 1
1992
Moved meetings to Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Mental Retardation legislation continues.
Death Row Residents = 67 Executions = 1
1993
Carnahan elected Governor. Held first breakfast forum. Mental Retardation legislation continues.
Death Row Residents = 69 Executions = 4
1994
Breakfast forum, Sister Helen's visit to annual meeting and Mental Retardation legislation continues.
Death Row Residents = 76 Executions = 0
1995
Pen Pal Program begun, work with Mental Retardation legislation continues, held breakfast forum, Steve Hawkins was keynote speaker for annual meeting. Incorporation papers filed.
Death Row Residents = 75 Executions = 6
1996
New brochure with logo by Butch Reuscher, newsletter improved. Group became tax exempt. Five members attended national coalition meeting in Washington D.C., a catalyst for formation of Missourians to Abolish the Dealth Penalty.
Death Row Residents = 94 Executions = 6
1997
Web page created by Bill Walters, conducted phone bank telethon to connect with our mailing list folks. Family packet developed for persons with loved ones on death row. Poster of current death row prisoners as children published. Three persons attended the national coalition meeting in Houston. Supported two bills sponsored by Mike Schilling: abolition and mental retardation. Brought Don Cabana to town in March. Developed essay contest for middle and high school students. Participated in Journey of Hope through Missouri.
Death Row Residents = 93 Executions = 6
1998
Major grants received = The Society of the Precious Blood - $7100 RESIST= $1000. April - An evening event and a breakfast forum were held featuring Gardner Hanks, Author of &qout;Against the Death Penalty". September - Bonnie Raitt - we received proceeds from her Starlight performance and a private dessert reception. October - NCADP annual meeting in St. Louis. October - "No More!" a drama presented by board members with the help of Marsha Morgan.
Death Row Residents = 87 Executions = 3
1999
In March WMCADP cosponsored an event featuring Sister Helen Prejean with Johnson County Community College, participated in a March on March 6 in Jefferson City, in March, two board members met with a group in Springfield to help start a group there, in April sent board member Reverend Michael Poke to a religious organizing conference in San Antonio, TX, in June hired a part-time executive director, in June, held a press conference highlighting the record pace of executions in Missouri, in October set 7 people to the national NCADP conference, and in November, hosted a conference entitled, "The Religious Community Faces the Death Penalty."
Death Row Residents = 82 Executions = 9
2000
National momentum for abolition was bolstered in early 2000 by Illinois Gov. Ryan declaring a moratorium on executions, following the exoneration of 13 wrongfully convicted death row inmates. Renny Cushing of Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation was the keynote speaker at the annual meeting. Nine local members attended the Death Penalty Abolition Conference in San Francisco. Religious Organizing Committee sponsored faith community educational events. Major grantors were Tides Foundation, Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Mo. Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Death Row Residents = 76 Executions = 5
2001
Co-sponsored a statewide Journey of Hope: from vengeance to healing event in March, culminating in a rally in Jefferson City.
Executions = 7
2002
Several members of the Coalition Board attended the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty meeting in Chicago. Showed the Joe Amrine documentary video at the Tivoli in June to a crowd of 200. Held a book signing in July for Cathleen Burnett's "Justice Denied: Clemency Appeals in Death Penalty Cases." Also spent time doing strategic Planning. We hired a part time project director funded by a national grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development fund. One of his activities was to arrange training for new and experienced speakers.
Death Row Residents = 68 Executions = 6
2003
Joe Amrine released and joins wmcadp board, Windman comic book published, staff turnover, held first Legislative Summit, Moratorium campaign initiated, several wmcadp members attended the National Coalition meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, received Public Welfare Foundation Grant.
Executions = 2
2004
Worked with consultant to re-examine board responsibilities and improve hiring process, hired administrative assistant, held second Legislative Summit.
Death Row Residents = 55 Executions = 0
2005
Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty establishes itself as a statewide non profit. The Western Missouri Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty becomes the Greater Kansas City chapter of MADP!
2006
A Chapter fundraising event was well attended at the Unicorn Theatre in January with production of the play, “Frozen,” a play about forgiveness. A telethon to solicit membership renewals was held in March.
Chapter board members attend State Planning Retreat held by Equal Justice USA in Pittsburg, MO, August.
Tabling to raise awareness of our cause at area city markets is well received. Moratorium Resolutions continue to be solicited with 200 signed across MO and 40 of those from the Kansas City area.
Linda Taylor, mother of death row inmate, Michael Anthony Taylor spoke on NPR’s Morning Edition program.
The Family and Friends Support Group continues to be well attended with various legislators coming in to speak to group.