The Coalition for Abolition in Nebraska (C.A.N.) has been formed as a special project committee of Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty. This coalition is commissioned by N.A.D.P. to achieve abolition of the death penalty in Nebraska through targeted voter organization.

In selected legislative districts C.A.N. organizes and facilitates the collection of registered voters' signatures on a petition which indicates support for Life Without Parole as the alternative to the death penalty.

The petitions will be presented to the appropriate state senators to demonstrate support for their vote for Life Without Parole as they respond to the outcome of the fairness study.

In light of the new research, legislators will weigh the costs vs. benefits of continuing use of the death penalty as a sentencing option. The signatures will provide proof that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole as a maximum sentence for first degree murder has widespread support in Nebraska. This support will increase the desirability of abolition from the legislator's perspective.

Life Without Parole

Contrary to the conventional wisdom that Americans wholeheartedly support the death penalty, poll results show that more people in this country prefer alternative sentences that guarantee both protection and punishment over the death penalty.

According to a May 2001 poll conducted by ABC News / Washington Post, support for capitol punishment drops to less than 50% when the alternative of life without parole is offered as an alternative.

When Americans were asked whether they would support or oppose a law replacing the death penalty with Life Without Parole, 51% said they support such a law while 46% oppose the idea.

Click here to read "Life Without Parole is Workable", an editorial published in the Omaha World-Herald (February 9th 1999), by former NADP Coordinator Carter Van Pelt.

Coalition Member Organizations

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - Nebraska
• Amnesty International - Lincoln
• Amnesty International - USA
• Call to Action - Nebraska
• Catholic Worker Community - Omaha
• Leadership Team, Sisters of Mercy - Omaha
• Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - Lincoln
• National Association of Social Workers - Nebraska Chapter
• Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty
• Nebraska Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
• Nebraska Green Party
• Nebraskans for Peace
• Notre Dame Sisters - Omaha
• Peacemakers
• The Social Ministries Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha
• Unitarian Church - Lincoln
• Your Organization's Name Here: _______________

Major Funding for the C.A.N. Project comes from the McAuley Fund, established to provide resources to further the implementation of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy Direction Statement and the Strategic Initiatives of the Sisters of Mercy, Omaha Regional Community.