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CNN Live Sunday

Protesters Prepare March Against Capital Punishment

Aired June 10, 2001 - 17:14   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: You may remember in our conversation with Bill Hemmer, we were talking about protesters that were planning to show up for the execution of Timothy McVeigh. Jeff Flock is in Terre Haute, amongst the demonstrators, and he joins us now live -- Jeff.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Marty, indeed, that is our mission here over the course of the next 24, 36 hours, to keep track of those who are massing in this town both for and against the death penalty. Perhaps you can see we are at Saint Margaret Mary Church at this hour, with those who are massing on behalf of those who don't think the death penalty is a good idea.

Abe Bonowitz is one of the people that leads them. You would be here if it wasn't for Timothy McVeigh, wouldn't you, Abe?

ABE BONOWITZ, PROTEST ORGANIZER: We have been planning this for over a year. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) back in May. And that's when we created our plan that we're following today. We have had a number of other people have dates, and this is the one it's coming down to.

FLOCK: I want to ask you about what that plan is. But first, perhaps the most poignant sign, you see the gentleman in the back with a blue sign. "Thou Shalt Not Kill, Not Even Him." Some people, Abe, have suggested that, if there was ever a reason for the death penalty, it is with this man. You don't buy that.

BONOWITZ: We don't buy that; we don't believe that the government should have the power to take a human life. Because, even with a case like this, where it seems like this is the one, it is really about having a broader look at this. It is about the people that are not so famous; it is about whether the government should have a public policy that allows them to kill citizens.

FLOCK: I am going to ask, Bruce, to -- go ahead if you would Bruce, to the table. This is a place to mass your selling shirts and bumper stickers and all that sort of thing. What is your plan for today? You have a march that is going to be coming up here in just a little bit.

BONOWITZ: That's right. We will be marching from here to the prison, where we will be clear in our message, that killing should not be done in our name, and we oppose...

FLOCK: You will march directly to the prison.

BONOWITZ: That's correct. We have been working with prison officials so that everything goes smooth and clear.

FLOCK: Abe Bonowitz, we appreciate the time very much, we will be checking in with you throughout this day.

As I said, Marty, we will keep our eye on this group, as well as the other group, people who are expected here as well who support capital punishment.

That's the latest from Terre Haute, back to you.

SAVIDGE: Thank you, Jeff, very much.

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