Using These Materials
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to this record group is unrestricted with the exception of select items noted in Series 5.
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Summary
- Abstract:
- This collection contains materials used by Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (VADP) in its efforts to end capital punishment in Virginia.
- Extent:
- 16.65 cubic ft.
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Records, 1937-2008. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Records).
Background
- Scope and Content:
The Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (VADP) Records cover 17 years of the organization's efforts to end the death penalty in Virginia. Materials included in this collection document the VADP's day-to-day activities and include petitions seeking an end to capital punishment in Virginia, Virginia General Assembly legislation, case law and legal education materials, subject files, newspaper clippings, scholarly articles, VHS tapes, and banners.
Although the VADP was established in 1991, a number of materials dated prior to 1991 are included in the collection, acquired by the VADP for research purposes.
- Biographical / Historical:
Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty was founded in 1991 under the name of Virginians for Alternatives to State Killing by a group of 13 concerned citizens. In 1994 the group adopted its current name, Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (VADP). The organization sought a moratorium on the death penalty in Virginia and continued to educate the public about inconsistencies in capital punishment for three decades.
The VADP rallied against the death penalty in a number of ways, including execution vigils, and non-violent protests. The VADP held yearly conferences that individuals could attend. Membership of the VADP was open to anyone who wished to join and was not restricted to just Virginia citizens.
The VADP worked to educate the public and legislators about the ineffectiveness of the death penalty in Virginia and Virginia's 21 day rule, a policy which prohibited trial judges from reviewing newly discovered evidence if it was presented more than three weeks after a defendant's sentencing. On March 24, 2021, Virgina Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation abolishing the death penalty, making Virginia the 23rd state, and the first in South, to stop executions. Having built support among legislators to pass the bill, VADP achieved its 30 year objective of a moratorium on capital punishment in Virginia. Having reached this goal, knowing other allies would continue to safeguard the death penalty moratorium and waiting two years to ensure that the legislation was not quickly reinstated, the VADP board elected to close the organization in February 2024.
- Acquisition information:
- Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty donated its records to the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections Archives in 2008 July . Michael E. Stone, Executive Director of Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, donated additional paper and digital materials in 2024.
- Processing information:
Chelsea Wallace processed the 2008 accession in 2016. The 2024 accession of 4 cu. ft. and additional digital files has not yet been processed.
- Arrangement:
The collection is organized into the following series:
- Series 1 - Administration, 1988-2008
- Series 2 - Legal, 1984-2007
- Series 3 - Publications, 1975-2008
- Series 4 - Communication, 1981-2007
- Series 5 - Activities, 1992-2007
- Series 6 - Petitions, 1993-2004
- Series 7 - Subject Files, 1937-2007
Series 1 and 4 are arranged chronologically while Series 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 are alphabetical.
- Physical location:
- The materials are located onsite in the department.
Subjects
Contents
Access
Using These Materials
- ACCESS:
- The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to this record group is unrestricted with the exception of select items noted in Series 5.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Records, 1937-2008. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Records).