Urban League speaks out for justice
Michael Alexander
The Urban League of Portland is advocating for the replacement of the death penalty with life without parole.
The longtime civil rights and public service organization recently joined forces with Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty to support death penalty repeal efforts in Oregon.
Michael Alexander, president and chief executive of the Portland Urban League, issued the following statement:
“I’m reminded that Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who is one our most beloved and admired champions for justice, was steadfastly opposed to the death penalty He held the belief that as long as concerns about the very foundation of equal treatment under the law exists for any Americans but specifically black Americans, every opportunity must be preserved for individuals to prove their innocence. “
The Urban League of Portland joins over 60 other secular organizations and faith communities in support of efforts to rid Oregon of the death penalty, replacing it with life without parole.
Repeal advocates point to studies that show that the administration of the death penalty across the nation shows a bias against the poor and people of color. In the year-end report from the Death Penalty Information Center it is pointed out that death penalty sentencing and executions continue to drop, but racial bias is still evident in both.
