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| Iowa Greens Applaud Illinois Governor. |
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MEDIA RELEASE IOWA GREENS APPLAUD ILLINOIS GOVERNOR RYAN The Iowa Green Party applauds Illinois Governor George Ryan's recent blanket commutation of all pending death sentences in that state, as well as the releases of 4 Illinois death row inmates now known to have been unfairly sentenced. "I may never be comfortable with my decision," Ryan told reporters. "But I will know in my heart that I did my best to do the right thing." He acknowledged that problems in his state's capital punishment system had resulted in numerous wrongful sentencings. We in the Green Party realize that while such a defense of human rights may not be universally popular, it is always morally just and serves to elevate society. Genuine sensitivity to the cause of protecting innocents demands opposition to executions. All systems administered by people are inherently fallible. And because persons ultimately proven guiltless cannot be reprieved from their graves, capital punishment warrants utter and complete abandonment. Ryan observed correctly, "The decision I make about our criminal justice system is felt not only here, but the world over." That includes Iowa, where the state's non-death penalty status is a source of pride for many. But we must remain dedicated to maintaining that status. True, past years' efforts at reinstatement have been few and fruitless. But as some politicians struggle for future electoral successes, they are sure to exploit this issue anew. In its platform and as a matter of principle, the Green Party of the United States opposes capital punishment without exception. And for reasons both moral and practical in nature, the Iowa Green Party shares that position. We are heartened by Gov. Ryan's actions in the interest
of justice.And we stand ready to join with other Iowa death penalty foes to oppose any and all future
reinstatement calls.
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