Innocence Project
We had a very successful book sale in May, raising more than $700 for our DNA-testing fund. Many, many thanks to the volunteers and staff who worked hard to make this happen. Also thanks to all of you who donated books.
For three years, the New York Society for Ethical Culture has raised funds to help prisoners convicted of serious crimes get DNA testing. Convicted prisoners have to pay for their own testing.
The Society has now helped free three prisoners all of whom had spent 19 or more years in prison. We do this because of our ethical belief in the worth and dignity of all human beings and our dedication to "Deed above Creed."
Our funds go to The Innocence Project, which works to achieve the exoneration and release of innocent inmates through post-conviction DNA testing. Most of the project’s clients are poor and forgotten and have exhausted their legal avenues for relief. All clients are rigorously screened to determine if DNA testing could prove their claims of innocence. Thousands currently await evaluation of their cases. You can learn more about the Innocence Project at: www.innocenceproject.org.
Repeal of the Death Penalty
Resolution adopted by the general membership of Ethical Culture. Work with New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty. Hosted panels; speakers have included David Kaczynski, Peter and Russell Neufeld.
Repeal of the Rockefeller Drug Laws
Members have marched on Albany, picketed in New York, generated petitions, and hosted panels. Speakers have included William Bratton, Robert Gangi, and Ricki Kleiman.
Civil Liberties
Ethical Culture co-sponsors with The Nation Institute, The Economist, and WNYC to host forums and debates on civil liberties, presenting divergent opinions. Speakers include Naomi Klein, Sameena Ahmad, Gore Vidal, Bill Emmott, U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, Norman Siegel, Randolph Jonakait, James B. Comey, and Ryan Sager.
Champion Women's Rights
Marched on Washington and conduct letter writing and call-in campaigns. We organized a group to join the Save Women's Lives: March for Freedom of Choice Rally in defense of Reproductive Rights, April 25, 2004 in Washington, D.C. To learn more, go to the National Organization for Women's website at www.now.org.
Educational Reform
Michael Rebell, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, and the law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, which sued New York State for educational reform on behalf of CFE, were given Ethical Culture's Distinguished Community Service Award in 2003. Ethical Culture members signed petitions and sent letters to the state legislature in support of educational reforms.
Honor Courageous Individuals
The Ethical Humanist Award was presented in April 2003 to U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords for switching his party affiliation, thus changing the balance of power in Congress in 2001. The Society has presented the Award 16 times. Complete list of Ethical Humanist Award recipients
Social Service Board and Ethical Action
The Society's Social Service Board provides additional Ethical Action opportunites for members through its sponsorship of an onsite shelter for homeless women and its onsite supervised visitation project.
