30/11/2003

Cities for Life - Cities Against the Death Penalty
Select a symbolic monument in your City and light it up in a special way to say out loud: STOP THE DEATH PENALTY

The fight against the death penalty has become an important issue in the realm of international relations. In much of the world, the struggle is associated with the search for true justice, which does not seek vengeance but rather rehabilitation. It also aims at a higher level of civility and the defence of the human rights of all people, including the victims of crime and those found guilty of committing them. The battle against the death penalty is a way for states and society to defend themselves from the risk of sinking to the same level of those who have committed serious crimes against others.

In 2002, the Community of Sant'Egidio promoted November 30th as the first World Day Against the Death Penalty as well as launching the initiative "Cities for Life - Cities Against the Death Penalty" .

With spectacular initiatives involving the monuments or public squares that have come to symbolize their towns, and with special efforts to educate the public, more than 80 cities -- from Santiago de Chile to Stockholm to Canberra -- participated in the 2002 observance. The city of Rome chose the Colosseum; in Brussels, it was the Atomium; and in Barcelona, Cathedral Square was the focus.

Preparations are now underway for the great "World Day of Cities for Life - Cities Against the Death Penalty 2003."

The organization of events to be televised globally and to be available on the Internet has already begun for the second "World Day of Cities for Life -- Cities Against the Death Penalty" November 30th, 2003. Under the coordination of the organizing committee, each city joining the initiative before October 30th, 2003 will be able to have its own contribution featured on the program.

We invite your city and its residents to contribute to the struggle for civility and to join the "Cities of Life -- Cities Against the Death Penalty" campaign.

For information on joining the World "Cities for Life - Cities Against the Death Penalty" campaign, contact:

E-mail: [email protected]

Web Site: www.santegidio.org/en/pdm/index.htm