We are residents of the Charlottesville/Albemarle area who oppose the death penalty on grounds of conscience.

We believe that human life is not something that belongs to any government. We believe that if a government kills a person, that sends a powerful message that killing people is okay. We believe that all human beings, including those who commit terrible crimes, have the potential for moral growth, and that one purpose of punishment should be to allow that growth to take place. Capital punishment puts that process to death.

Yes, our government needs to act firmly to protect citizens against the chance that a convicted mass-murderer like Timothy McVeigh might kill again. A lengthy prison sentence could achieve that goal. It could also be used to try to foster empathy, humanity, and a spirit of restitution in someone who has previously shown few of these qualities.

We hold compassionately in our thoughts today, as so often throughout the past six years, the 168 individuals killed by McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombing, as well as their bereaved families, the survivors of the blast, and all those affected by that act of murderous violence. We also extend our compassion to Timothy McVeigh, though we mourn what appears to be his acute moral blindness.

Still, we do not believe that either our state or our national government ought to be in the business of deliberately killing one of its own citizens.

May all Americans ponder this issue in their inmost hearts. If you would like to learn more about our campaign, please call Anne Meador, (804) 295-6530, or Helena Cobban (804) 971-1688.