B-cellen zijn gespecialiseerde cellen die tijdens het infectieproces het normale hersenweefsel van geïnfecteerde kinderen vernietigen, en ze kunnen ook worden aangetroffen in de hersenen van vredes apotheek mensen met hersentumoren. Een grote hoeveelheid bewijsmateriaal wijst nu op het idee dat een B-cel-vrije toestand in de hersenen bijdraagt tot de symptomen van autisme.

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What is the Moratorium Campaign ?

The Moratorium Campaign is a campaign to obtain an immediate moratorium on the death penalty. The project includes a coordinated global petition drive. Worldwide, over 3.2 million people have signed the petition for a moratorium - and the number is growing. In the U.S., this effort is being led by Sister Helen Prejean, a Catholic nun whose 1993 book Dead Man Walking placed her as a leader in the effort to abolish the death penalty.

"In a protracted war, the first step towards peace is a cease-fire," says Sr. Helen. "Peace always comes in steps and the first step is to cease and desist from killing which, of course, is a moratorium."

The Moratorium Campaign is using the information gathered by the petition drive to lobby for moratorium legislation in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, state legislatures, and even in the United Nations. The Moratorium Campaign is sending a forceful message to the world's leaders that the people will not stand idly by while human beings are executed.

What is a moratorium?

A moratorium on the death penalty would mean a suspension of executions, like a cease-fire in a war. Governments would agree not to put any more prisoners to death.  Recently, we have seen a surge in support of a moratorium, both on the state and national level.  It is clear that many people, including politicians and community leaders, are beginning to rethink their support of the death penalty. 

Much of this new attention has been focused on the fact that innocent men have been released from death row – particularly in Illinois, where Governor George Ryan instituted a moratorium when several innocent men were found on their death row.  And other factors, like racism and incompetent lawyers, are making people think twice about their support of this system.  A moratorium gives them a graceful way to take the first step towards opposing the death penalty.

What would happen during a moratorium?

Through a moratorium, there would be a halt in executions, so that all parties involved could study the system and really talk about the issue. "All parties involved" doesn't just mean the death row inmate and the lawmakers. All of society is affected by how we shape our justice system. We hope that a moratorium will be a step towards abolishing the death penalty. 

Often, when a moratorium is proposed, it is to offer time to do some sort of study of the death penalty.  The Moratorium Campaign hopes that such studies will show that this is a broken system that can never be fixed.  During a moratorium, we will strive to show people that we can live without the death penalty.

How do I sign the petition?

You can sign the petition online or you can print out a petition sheet. You can also request a petition sheet from the Moratorium Campaign office or call (504) 864-1071.

Which states are already considering a moratorium?

Legislatures in half of the 38 states with death penalty laws have considered or are now considering stopping executions with a moratorium – or abolishing the death penalty outright.  They are: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Washington state.  Grassroots moratorium organizing is also under way in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas.

Additionally, several bills in Congress would institute a moratorium on the federal death penalty. 

How do we ask people to get involved with The Moratorium Campaign?

• Add their signature to the Moratorium Campaign petition.
• Post petition sheets in churches and synagogues, on campuses, and on bulletin boards.
• Gather signatures at rallies, concerts, workshops, and meetings.
• Include petition sheets in religious bulletins, group mailings, and workshop packets.
• Convince a public figure or a religious leader to endorse the Moratorium Campaign.
• Contact the Moratorium Campaign office to volunteer with the campaign.
• Send a tax-deductible financial contribution to The Moratorium Campaign.
• Request a Volunteer Packet from The Moratorium Camapaign.

This is a worldwide effort. What other nations are involved?

The Moratorium Campaign, Amnesty International and the Community of Sant' Egidio in Italy are coordinating the global petition drive. More than 3.2 million signatures have been gathered in 145 countries. Click on the Sant Egidio link above to view a map of the participating countries.

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Copyright 2001 The Moratorium Campaign