Amnesty International at UGA: Film: "At The Death House Door" Sept 15, MLC Rm 171

**UPDATE: Film will be shown in MLC Room 171 from 6:00-8:00 PM.
Hey guys, Next week we'll be showing a documentary, "At The Death House Door," and here's a blurb I pulled from the producer's website: --At the Death House Door follows the remarkable career journey of Carroll Pickett, who served 15 years as the death house chaplain to the infamous "Walls" prison unit in Huntsville, Texas. During that time he presided over 95 executions, including the very first lethal injection done anywhere in the world. After each execution, Pickett recorded an audiotape account of that fateful day. The film also tells the story of Carlos De Luna, a convict whose execution affected Pickett more than any other. Pickett firmly believed the man was innocent and two Chicago Tribune reporters turn up evidence that strongly suggests he was right.

This film tackles controversial issues regarding the death penalty, a premier issue for Amnesty International. Soon after its foundation in 1961, Amnesty International began sending appeals to prevent the execution of prisoners of conscience. Over time, its opposition to the death penalty has broadened to include all prisoners, regardless of the crimes of which they have been convicted. Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner.

Progress has been dramatic in the last few decades. In 1977, only 16 countries had abolished the death penalty for all crimes. Thirty years later, that number had grown to 90.

**UPDATE: Film will be shown in MLC Room 171 from 6:00-8:00 PM.