4/9/2020
(HTML VERSION): VADP needs your financial support during the COVID-19 crisis - mstone811@gmail.com - Gmail
VADP needs your financial support during the COVID-19 crisis
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VADP 10:50 AM (3 minutes ago)
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VIRGINIANS FOR
f ALTERNATIVES
O THE DEATH PENALTY
Dear VADP Supporter,
This is an extraordinary time for the United States and for the world. And for you and me and others
fighting to eradicate the death penalty in Virginia.
This may seem an unusual time to be asking for funds while our country is struggling to stay healthy and
solvent in the face of catastrophe.
As your Executive Director of Virginians for Alternative to the Death Penalty, | assure you it is not. There is
momentum behind us, the cause is just, and it is the right thing to do: overturn the death penalty, save
lives.
And so, if your fit i ition allows it, | hope you can help VADP with a special donation,
because we are pushing ahead with the expectation that we can achieve death penalty repeal in 2021.
To recap: The 2020 legislative session got off to a great start with
a major death penalty reform achievement. By an overwhelming
bipartisan 32-7 margin the State Senate passed a bill to prohibit
Virginia from executing those suffering from severe mental
illness(SMI).
Unfortunately, the General Assembly failed to pass either the SMI
exemption bill or death penalty abolition legislation.
delay. We remain convinced that we will soon gain votes to pass abolition in both the House and Senate.
In fact, we were told privately by House and Senate leaders that death penalty abolition will be
debated and passed next year.
Our work at the 2020 General bly identified key Senators and Delegates whose votes will
decide death penalty repeal next year. We'll be contacting them in the coming weeks to meet by phone
and present more information about capital punishment and the many good reasons for ending it.
Our cause continues to advance though much of our lives have been transformed. All is not good news,
on the other hand.
In January and February, before the COVID-19 virus halted public meetings, Field Director Dale
Brumfield spoke to more than 220 people, mostly in Northern Virginia, and signed up 106 new
VADP supporters.
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4/9/2020
(HTML VERSION): VADP needs your financial support during the COVID-19 crisis - mstone811@gmail.com - Gmail
Since group presentations are curtailed, Dale has been
calling and emailing our key contacts to keep them
updated on our progress. He has had particular
success with faith groups, and is working diligently to
maintain these productive relationships. He is also
cold-calling faith, political and civic group leaders in
new areas of Virginia, seeking opportunities to speak
later in the year.
The two grants that funded our Field Director
position for the past 2% years have run dry. We are
no longer eligible for funding. We've sought other grants but, so far, nothing.
resources on their existing grantees, to ensure their survival during this pandemic.
We are even more reliant now on individual giving to maintain our
work (61% of our 2019 income).
Please contribute now to ensure VADP has the resources to push iy
hard for an end to capital punishment in Virginia next year. We
would become the 23rd state to become death penalty-free. Colorado =
did so just a few weeks ago.
Any amount — $10, $25, $100, or $500 — will be a significant contribution to our work.
With your support, we can take the last few steps, and become the first Southern state to end capital
punishment.
CPi
Michael Stone
VADP Executive Director
P.S. Finally, | want to call your attention to a story on the Blue View website, hosted by the Fairfax County
Democratic Committee. Two VADP board members, Chris Braunlich and Nick Cote, describe their support
for death penalty repeal. | think you'll find their i from the conservative and libertarian
positionsdeeply encouraging for our bipartisan efforts.
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Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
P.O. Box 12222
Richmond, VA 23241
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