October 14, 2005 – Donna Parish

Journey of Hope to present program at SFA

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – Journey of Hope, an organization led by family members of murder victims, will present a program at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20 at Stephen F. Austin State University in the Liberal Arts North Building Room 142.

The SFA chapter of Amnesty International (AI), a student branch of the non-governmental organization, is hosting the event.

Journey of Hope conducts public education speaking tours concerning alternatives to the death penalty. Its goal is to stop the cycle of violence and revenge that members say perpetuates the death penalty. Members believe that forgiveness allows them to begin the healing process.

The group's Texas tour spotlights family members of homicide victims as well as exonerated death row inmates who discuss the importance of a re-evaluation of the current capital punishment policies in Texas and the United States.

AI is the largest grassroots movement of human rights proponents in the world. The organization works to spotlight hidden abuses and inform citizens of crucial votes occurring in government and urges them to lobby for change.

For more information about the event, contact Dr. Julie Harrelson-Stephens, SFA chapter faculty sponsor, at 468-2380.