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Catholic Campaigner Encourages Capital Punishment Conversations with Candidates

Unlike Annette Bosworth, Denny Davis really is motivated by his Christian faith to take political action. The Catholic deacon directs South Dakotans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Davis's group supported the bill Rep. Steve Hickey (R-9/Sioux Falls) brought to the Legislature this year to end South Dakota's use of capital punishment. In an e-mail to supporters, Davis says we can expect SDADP to bring a similar bill to Pierre next year, and he wants help letting candidates know that's coming:

We continue to work for the repeal of the death penalty in South Dakota and as always we do this together. I write to you to ask two things to bring us to the 2015 Legislative Session in Pierre.

The first is to ask all of you to be talking to the candidates for the State House and Senate seats about their stand on the death penalty. The primaries are over and the candidates need to know that we will bring a repeal bill next Jan. This is vital to getting the word out in the hearts and minds of the candidates. Talk to them, write to them, call them; somehow make contact. Actively pursue them even if you have a group who wants to go to their door and ask questions. Remember to always respect their view even if it doesn’t agree with yours. Just tell them where you are at and where you will vote in Nov. If they know there are many who oppose the death penalty, it will give them time to think about the issue and whether it is right for South Dakota [Denny Davis, South Dakotans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, e-mail, 2014.06.24].

That's certainly a conversation worth having with your Legislative candidates.

Davis says he's traveling next week to Washington, D.C., for further political action against the death penalty. But instead of wining and dining donors, he'll spend four days fasting with friends in front of the Supreme Court as part of the Abolitionist Action Committee's 21st annual Starvin' for Justice Fast and Vigil.

 

5 Comments

  1. Lanny V Stricherz 2014.06.25

    Thank you for posting Cory. Deacon Denny also said that he put over 50,000 miles on his car last year, (not all to campaign against the death penalty) but as many of us know a good share of it was, because he went to churches all over the State to talk on this issue and he also talked to many of the legislators in their home towns to try to convince them that we don't want to break the 6th commandment.

    So anyone who can help Deacon Denny with funds for car repair and gas, if you would send to him at South Dakotans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
    PO Box 403
    Vermillion,, SD 57069

  2. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.06.26

    Now this is what Christians do!
    Blessings, Mr. Davis.

  3. bearcreekbat 2014.06.26

    This is also what atheists' do! More power to you Mr. Davis. Our check is in the mail to you! Thanks for your efforts,

  4. Lanny V Stricherz 2014.06.26

    I don't know for sure, but I doubt that Deacon Denny visits Madville Times. So on his behalf and for myself, I thank you for your generosity, bearcreekbat.

  5. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.06.27

    Lanny, I'd give Deacon Davis grief for not visiting the Madville Times... but he is busy putting 50,000 miles on his car. I'll cut him some slack. Of course, if he did visit, he might decide to advertise... ;-)

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