By By Billy S. Garland
Tuesday, at noon a small group of students stood blindfolded in the quad; in silent protest.
“We are here to see the death penalty abolished,” said junior history major Erika Williams. “We want America to stop the killing.”
The small gathering represented the U of L chapter of Amnesty International; an organization dedicated to the delegalization of the death penalty. Echoing the mandate of the organization, these students stood holding placards that presented arguments against the form of punishment.
“It is an unjust penalty,” said sophomore English major Emily Nordling. “We believe that it is racist and often prejudiced against the poor. Further more, no human has the right to kill in any form.”
One protester, graduate biology student Allisun Smith, stood apart from the group handing out flyers encouraging students to get involved by contacting local awareness or joining the local chapter. Smith served as the mouthpiece of the group, speaking out to students as they stopped to take in the scene.
“We focus so much on human rights around the world,” said Smith. “It is time that we take a look at what is going on in our own back yard. We want to encourage our government to follow the example of many European countries, and abolish the death penalty.”
More information about Amnesty International can be found at their website, www.amnesty.org. The local chapter can be found via Facebook.
