May 15th 2017 For Immediate Release Contact: Toni Perry (202) 331-4090 ext 220

The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty announced a series of community engagement events across the country aimed at taking advantage of the momentum against the death penalty. Using LUSH’s 200 stores as a base of activity, the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and its partners seek to connect with people across the country to discuss the failures of capital punishment and better more practical ways to improve public safety. We are so pleased to partner with LUSH on this initiative. They bring fresh energy and commitment to this struggle.

“We’ve seen a continued decline in the use and the number of people who favor the death penalty over the years. As people learn that the death penalty doesn’t enhance public safety and that it creates a huge number of other problems public support shifts away from the practice. A major concern is the risk of killing an innocent person” said Rust-Tierney. “We are excited that a new generation of activists are joining this struggle and connecting the death penalty to broader social justice concerns. As part of the national campaign, running from May 15 – 25, 2017, Lush, the NCADP and other organizations will host Death ≠ Justice events in major cities including Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis, Phoenix and West Des Moines. The events will feature speakers including exonerees, grassroots organizations and activists, who will share personal stories and experiences as well as information about how the death penalty does not improve public safety, address the root causes of crimes and is not applied fairly across the country. They will be urging people to get involved in efforts that do impact public safety, for example, hosting a community engagement forum on violence prevention in schools, or improving educational opportunities for all children and making sure that families at risk have the support that they need.