Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty (CCATDP) is entering Fall with a full head of steam. National leaders like Ramesh Ponnuru are speaking out against the death penalty, CCATDP is taking part in criminal justice discussions across the United States, and the media is helping us spread the message that the capital punishment is inconsistent with conservatism.
Conservatives Concerned in the Media
Our media successes continued into September and October. We were featured in a variety of publications and news outlets. Here are some of my favorites.
The Transylvania Times reported on the North Carolina Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty, our work nationally, and the release of two men from prison who were previously sentenced to death. The reporter wrote, “Marc Hyden…told the News & Observer, “North Carolina is attempting to resume executions, but this should serve as a prominent example as to why states need to think twice.” Hyden said the death penalty has high human and financial costs and does not serve as a deterrent to murder.”
While I was exhibiting at the State Policy Network’s national conference, I was interviewed for the Cato Institute’s podcast with Caleb Brown. You can hear the interview here.
I was also interviewed on the Bill Martinez Show (heard in over 250 markets), the Angela Butler Show out of Florida, ABC’s radio show, Three Guys Rant, and Nightside with Dan Rae (heard in 38 states).
Conservative Conversations
Our series of conservative conservations continued this month. We featured former Montana House Majority Leader, Roy Brown, who explained why he opposes the death penalty. Texas Republican Precinct Chairman, Pat Monks describes why the death penalty is an intrusion of an imperfect government into the most personal of all things – life, and I explain what I am looking forward to most with my work with CCATDP.
Conservatives Concerned in the Field
CCATDP was present at the 22nd annual State Policy Network’s national conference in Denver, Colorado. The event was attended by over 900 conservative and libertarian policy leaders and think tank employees. I was greeted with immediate support by many of the attendees as I exhibited at the conference. Many of them also see the death penalty as a dangerous and expensive government program, which yields too much power to the state.
Upcoming
I will be traveling to Florida and Tennessee to speak with groups about the death penalty. My first stop will be on November 11 at the Orange County, Florida Young Republicans. I will also by speaking with the University of Central Florida Young Americans for Liberty chapter on November 12, and the Florida Gulf Coast University Young Americans for Liberty on November 13.
After my return from Florida, I will travel to the University of Tennessee to speak at an event featuring Ray Krone, the 100th person to be wrongly convicted and released from death row, and Stacy Rector from Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. The event will be on November 17.
If you are in the area, feel free to drop by learn about the broken death penalty system.