Petition opposes the death penalty
Hayward Democrats weigh moratorium
By Chad Morelli
STAFF WRITER - ANG NEWSPAPERS

HAYWARD -- After setting a small donkey statue on the podium in front of him, Gary Sirbu asked a local Democrats' club to support a petition that hopes to place a moratorium on the death penalty.

The statue -- a donkey wearing red, white and blue and symbolizing the Democratic party -- was there to show that Democrats are still extremely patriotic people, Sirbu said. He added that the party is based around grass-roots effort, providing strong support to social causes.

"And that is what this petition is all about -- grass-roots efforts pushing for a moratorium on the death penalty," Sirbu said, speaking to about 30 members of the Hayward Demos Democratic Club Friday night.

Sirbu is a member of another party organization called the Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club, and serves as a co-chair on the club's Criminal Justice Committee. Sirbu said he and his club are taking the petition to groups throughout Northern California, drumming up support.

"The moratorium would not stop death-penalty prosecutions, but it would put a halt to the executions," Sirbu said. "And right now, that is the best thing we could ever do for our very flawed justice system."

Rick Trullinger, president of the Hayward Demos, said he was pleased to see his club support the petition. In a unanimous vote, the Demos agreed to sign the resolution and take an active role in future actions that would help get a statewide moratorium passed.

"Hopefully, the petition will be passed by a few more local clubs, and continue to gain support," Trullinger said. "With enough grass-roots activism, we really have a good chance of getting a moratorium passed."

Though the Hayward Demos have discussed the death penalty in the past, the Friday night meeting with Sirbu signifies the biggest push for a moratorium in the club's recent history, Trullinger said.

Founded in 1967, the club has more than 200 active members and could play a key role in helping to convince California Gov. Gray Davis to institute a moratorium, Trullinger said. Many elected officials -- including Rep. Pete Stark, D-Fremont; state Sen. Liz Figueroa, D-Fremont, and Assembly member Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro -- are members of the club.

Now that the petition has been signed, Sirbu said he hoped the Hayward Demos and other groups will take the issue to their elected representatives, including city council members.

Getting local officials to back the idea of a moratorium, Sirbu said, would be crucial in convincing the governor to adopt a ban on executions.

"I can't promise that the governor will ever hear us, but I can tell you that our cause is just, and our cause is right," Sirbu said.

"And if we continue to get the support from individuals in our local communities, our cause will succeed."

Chad Morelli covers police, public safety and general assignment stories. Call him at (510) 293-2460 or email cmorelli@angnewspapers.com