Groups Plan to Protest Friday's Execution

The scheduled execution of Luke Williams, III, Feb. 20 has prompted several organizations to plan vigils and actions in protest.

Members of the Carolina Peace Resource Center, the South Carolina Progressive Network, Charleston Peace and the newly formed South Carolinians Abolishing the Death Penalty (SCADP) are planning a candle light vigil outside the Governor's mansion on Thursday and a protest on Friday in front of the Department of Corrections administration building, where he execution is expected to take place.

The groups point out that over two thirds of the world's countries, including the entire European Union, have abolished the death penalty, while the United States still execute more people than any country except China, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. "I think that the era of solving our problems through violence is ending and it is only a matter of time before we stop resorting to state killing," said Anna Shockley of SCADP, "and for Mr. Williams' sake I wish we'd stop today."

Studies show that executing a defendant can cost over ten times as much as imprisoning someone for life. The participating organizations suggest that the money spent on executions could instead be used to help tire families of murder victims through counseling and restitution.

What: Protests and vigils in response to the scheduled execution of Luke Williams

When: Thursday, February 19. beginning at 7:00p.m. and Friday, February 20, from 5:00 to 6:30p.m.

Where: Thursday's silent protest will be at the Governor's mansion. Friday's protest will be in front of the Department of Corrections administration building on 4444 Broad River Road.

Anyone is welcome to participate. Directions can be found at www.carolinapeace.org