Hosting a speaking event on the societal impact of the death penalty, Augusta University is inviting the public to attend a “Journey of Hope: From Violence to Healing” speakers’ tour on Jan. 29.
Open to the public, the event will start at 4:30 p.m. on the university’s Summerville Campus, located at 2500 Walton Way, in the Jaguar Student Activities Center’s Ballroom.
The project is a collaborative effort between Journey of Hope and its sponsors, including Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty, Faith Leaders of Color Coalition (FLOCC), alongside Augusta University’s Pamplin College Department of Social Sciences and the Criminal Justice Club.
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By gathering the voices of those who have lost a family member to murder, Journey of Hope strives to provide a unique perspective on the effort to abolish the death penalty by replacing it with effective and constructive solutions.
According to a press release from Augusta University, the “Journey of Hope” tour across Georgia aims to bring together family members of murder victims, exonerees and family members of those on death row to speak at venues and events against capital punishment.
“This year’s tour will offer Augusta the opportunity to engage in an enriching educational experience,” said Event Coordinator Daniél Mulherin. “One that will help facilitate conversations about the death penalty with our community members and with students and faculty at Augusta University.”
The event will also feature keynote speaker Rev. Jack Sullivan Jr., who will share his story of overcoming trauma from the murder of his sister, Jennifer Sullivan, in Cleveland, in 1997. Currently, Sullivan serves as the executive director of Ohio’s Council for Churches.
“Most states provide insufficient support to family members of homicide victims, and many cases go unsolved for years,” said Sullivan. “Pursuing the death penalty in a handful of cases creates a hierarchy of victims, with these cases receiving a disproportionate amount of state and local resources.”
The event will be free and guests will be provided food and beverages from Mama Jane’s Plates. Those interested in attending can RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rI-u46XyVr3rFxPvS8EBAO8yEVPVeA-_monIRQDIX2s/viewform?edit_requested=true
“Journey of Hope – From Violence to Healing provides public education about the needs of crime victims, and specifically the needs of family members of murder victims,” said Sullivan.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
