Upcoming event to examine 'The Societal Impact of the Death Penalty'

(flyer courtesy of Daniél Mulherin)

By Rakiyah Lenon | Editor in chief

Augusta University is hosting a discussion called “The Societal Impact of the Death Penalty” on Monday, Jan. 29 in the JSAC Roscoe Williams Ballroom from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The event is part of  Journey of Hope Speakers’ Tour Across Georgia. Hosted in different states each year, the tour is designed to bring together murder victim family members, exonerees and family members of those on death row to speak out against capital punishment.

Several organizations have joined Journey of Hope for the 30th annual tour, including Faith Leaders of Color Coalition, Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and Conservative Concerned about the Death Penalty. AU’s Department of Social Sciences and the Criminal Justice Club are also sponsoring the event.

The event is free and open to the public. Food and drink will also be served.

At the end of the speaker’s tour, those wanting to abolish the death penalty will march to the Georgia Capitol. (photo from Journey of Hope)

“Our goal is to offer a little bit of background from people who have been affected by the death penalty,” said Daniél Mulherin, event coordinator for the Augusta stop on the tour.

Mulherin, an Augusta State University alumna, said she wanted to get a conversation started in the local community.

"I really wanted to bring this to my own hometown,” she said. “I was thinking about the future careers of the students at Augusta University and how the issue of the death penalty believe it or not is going to overlap so many careers.”

Issues like the probability of innocence, racial inequalities and faith-based concerns lead many to believe the death penalty should not exist.

“A lot of people on death row have been exonerated,” she said. “A lot of people. Executing one innocent person is one too many,”

Mulherin said that though an uncomfortable topic, it is important for the community to learn about all that takes place surrounding the death penalty.

“It’s good to know about what’s going on as far as state funded executions and how it affects communities,” she said.

Reverend Jack Sullivan Jr., an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) United States and Canada, is the keynote speaker for the event.

Reverend Jack Sullivan Jr. (photo courtesy of Scott Langley)

A native of Cleveland, he serves as executive director of the Columbus-based Ohio Council of Churches. His work as a justice advocate and death penalty abolitionist has led him to receive several awards in recent years. These awards include the Death Penalty Abolition Award by Restorative Justice International in 2022, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Award by Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission in 2020 and the Victims Services Award from Journey of Hope From Violence to Healing in 2019. He is also a journalist.

Mulherin said Sullivan himself is a family member of a murder victim.

“He has a personal experience with the violence and trauma that he experienced through his sister’s death,” she said.

Mulherin added, “He has a powerful story to share. We’re excited that he is going to be joining us.”

She said despite many misconceptions about abolishing the death penalty, organizations like Journey of Hope believe consequences should still exist for violent crime.

“One thing we all agree on, we are not against accountability,” she said. “We believe that people should be held accountable for their actions, but we also believe the state and the government needs to be held accountable for any actions they take, because a lot of mistakes have been made.”

Mulherin said there are immense levels of trauma for those involved in the process of executing someone, from victims families reliving bad experiences, to prison chaplains, those in charge of the executions and the family of individuals who are executed.

“We also feel that reconciliation and healing offering alternatives that promote healing and safety,” she said. “We want to end the cycle of violence and trauma.”

At the end of the event, there will be a Q&A session and additional information provided for those who would like to learn more or become involved.

Those wanting to attend are encouraged to register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rI-u46XyVr3rFxPvS8EBAO8yEVPVeA-_monIRQDIX2s/viewform?edit_requested=true .

Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.