Fighting for Life in the Death-Belt
Southern Center for Human Rights Director
Stephen Bright is Subject of New Documentary
on the Death Penalty
Coloradans Against the Death Penalty is
proud to co-sponsor the Colorado premiere
of "Fighting
for Life in the Death-Belt," a
documentary which examines the institution
of capital punishment in America through
the eyes of attorney Stephen Bright.
For over 20 years, Bright has defended death
row inmates deep in the heart of America's
death belt - the Southern states where 90%
of executions occur. There he has built the
Southern Center for Human Rights, a renowned
public interest law firm. Located in Atlanta,
the Center has 11 lawyers and 10 investigators
who represent people facing the ultimate
punishment and challenge human rights violations
in prisons and jails.
The film, narrated by Ani DiFranco, follows
Bright and the Center in the days and hours
as they prepare for one capital trial while
also desperately fighting to save another
client from execution. The film is showing
on November
16-17 as part of the STARZ Denver
International Film Festival. The November
17 showing will be followed by a panel discussion
and reception with Steve Bright and the film's
directors Adam Elend and Jeff Marks.
Steve Bright has been director of the Center
since 1982. He has represented persons facing
the death penalty at trial, on appeals and
in post-conviction proceedings since 1979.
He argued Amadeo v. Zant before the U.S.
Supreme Court in 1988, in which the death
sentence was set aside because of racial
discrimination. Bright also teaches courses
on the death penalty and criminal law at
the Yale and Harvard law schools.
In addition to the film and reception, Bright
will be speaking on "Crime, Prisons,
and the Death Penalty: The influence of race
and poverty on the denial of life and liberty," at
CU Law and DU Law Schools on November 17.
Both law schools events are free and open
to the public.
Watch
a video of Stephen Bright speaking
about "Crime, Prisons, and the Death Penalty
- The Influence of Race and Poverty on
the Denial of Life and Liberty" at the
University of Denver (requires the latest
version of Windows Media Player).
Denver-area Appearances by Stephen Bright
Thursday,
November 17
- 12 noon "Crime, Prisons, and the Death
Penalty: The influence of race and poverty
on the denial of life and liberty," Lindsley
Memorial Courtroom, CU School of Law, Boulder.
- 4:00 p.m. "Crime, Prisons, and the
Death Penalty," Room 125, DU School
of Law, Denver.
- 6:00 p.m. "Fighting for Life in
the Death Belt," STARZ FilmCenter
at the Tivoli, 900 Auraria Pkwy. Film immediately
followed by reception and panel discussion
with Steve and filmmakers. Seating is limited.
Tickets are $25. For reservations, contact
CADP.
