Text for the Peace Booth's Petitions for 2008
Racial Justice Act
(929 signatures)
To: Members of the NC General Assembly and the North Carolina Governor,
We, the undersigned, in recognition of the documented and persistent role that racial bias plays in deciding who is sentenced to death and who is not, support the passage of the NC Racial Justice Act. This act would allow:
- A person accused of a capital crime the opportunity for court review regarding the role race played in a prosecutor's decision to seek the death penalty;
- A defendant sentenced to death to present any available evidence that the sentence was based on race; and
- The court to impose a sentence of life without possibility of parole, if race is found to be a basis for the death sentence.
- Download this petition
- Background material:
Welcome Immigrants
(818 signatures)Whereas all faith traditions call us to love our neighbors, to "welcome the stranger," to offer hospitality and to work for social justice;
Whereas unfair trade agreements are a primary reason that our Central and South American neighbors seek life-saving work in the United States despite a lack of available legal channels;
Whereas current actions unduly emphasize deportation and family separation as primary responses to immigrants, highlighting the need for comprehensive immigration reform;
Whereas, we call upon you, the candidates for governor, as well as all elected officials and citizens to welcome immigrants as people who deserve dignity and respect. We urge that state and local governments of North Carolina provide fair treatment and protection of our state's immigrant population, access to education at community colleges and the ability to move freely.
Rebuild Iraq - Rebuild America - Bring the Troops Home
(1055 signatures)Americans are looking to you for a fresh start, and an end to the Iraq war as you rebuild our relationships with the global community. A smart investment in a comprehensive strategy can make America safer, and contribute to political stability in Iraq and the region. We call on you to pursue a strategy that includes:
- Withdrawing all U.S. troops and private contractors within one year
- Creating a "diplomatic surge" that engages Iraq and its neighbors (including Iran and Syria) and the international community
- Leading donor efforts for Iraqi-controlled reconstruction and humanitarian aid, including Iraq's almost 5 million displaced people
- Assisting in the establishment of international peacekeeping and stabilization forces if requested by the Iraqi people.
- Download this petition
- Background material:
You may also download the text of all three petitions.
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