SUPPORT ANIMAL RIGHTS
ACTIVIST JORDAN HALLIDAY
photo: LGagnon
Where: In Front of the Matheson Courthouse
450 South State Street
When: Monday JUNE 28th at 1:00 p.m.
Why: Jordan is charged with Residential Targeted Picketing for picketing near the home of a University of Utah Animal Researcher/Vivisectionist
The Date for a Convocation in Memory of
John J. Flynn
Hugh B. Brown Professor of Law
1936-2010
Thursday August 26, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
S. J. Quinney College of Law
Salt Lake City, Utah
photo: MarkShurtleff Twitter
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff’s nod of approval was the final step before the execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner could begin. Shurtleff sat by a phone to make sure that there were no last minute execution stays awarded or appeals recognized. He also apparently sat by a mobile phone which he used to tweet, “I just gave the go ahead to Corrections Direction to proceed with Gardner’s execution.” There has been widespread complaint about his decision to tweet this. However, he was merely trying to use today’s method of communication to share information with the public. Perhaps the disapproval of his decision to tweet about the event represents the public’s disapproval of the death penalty; some people couldn’t shake the feeling of being that close to the execution.
Ronnie Lee Gardner's family outside the Utah State Prison
I arrived on the hill overlooking the Utah State Prison just in time to see a gorgeous Utah sunset. My view was disrupted by what seemed to be a tailgate, complete with a cooler, smiling faces, and white balloons. Instead, it was a gathering of relatives and friends of Ronnie Lee Gardner to commemorate and support his life during his final minutes. Just past the gathering, sitting on the edge of the hill and gazing at the prison was Gardner’s half-sister Bonnie Knight. She hadn’t seen her brother for 25years, but woke up at dawn to make the drive from Grand Junction, Colorado to support Ronnie Lee.
“They let us get comfortable with him being here . . . and we didn’t think this day would come,” responded Bonnie to the extensive 25+ year legal process Ronnie Lee endured. Although Bonnie hasn’t seen her brother for many years, she corresponded though written letters, and spoke fondly of their time as young adults.
Besides commenting on the brutal legal-works and cruelty of keeping a man on death row for more then 25 years, Bonnie also discussed the good Ronnie Lee has done over the latter half of his time spent in prison. She highlighted the plans to continue work on the organic farm Ronnie Lee planned after his execution. With the speed of today’s technology, Bonnie often first discovered news about her half-brother online. She usually found rude and hateful comments following Ronnie Lee stories. Bonnie took to posting replies to some of the comments, but one news organization, The Salt Lake Tribune, barred her from online comments and discussion. Both sides of the story were apparently not shared on such on this site.
In her own life Bonnie has created hope from Ronnie Lee’s condition, and taken to helping individuals recently released from prison. Her organization Freedom House Ministries in Grand Junction, CO uses Christian ideals to help bridge the gap between incarceration and freedom, allowing the released to form a new and law abiding life, minimizing reoffender rates. Bonnie has kept in a positive mind-state about the execution saying, God will forgive him, “I’m praying on it”.
Steps of Utah Capitol Building
After seeing the measly, yet noble Utah death penalty protest in the foyer of the Scott Matheson Courthouse in April, tonight’s gathering was extensive and influential. Although the protest was led by the Utahn’s for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, it seemngly would not have occurred without the strong support of students and young adults knowledgeable about protesting. The group’s leader Ralph Dellapiana helped pass out candle’s to commemorate the light inside people; by ending the death penalty in Utah one could save that light inside someone instead of smashing it. However, the beautiful the sight of those candles flickering together and the inspiring speeches and musical selections asking for peace and humanity, will not be enough to end the death penalty in Utah. The group needs more support, and more visibility for their name. It seemed as though the gathering was not important enough to be noticed, as Utah Governor Herbert did not appear to be on location at the time, nor was he even considering a stay of execution.
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