Any anti-death penalty activists out there? If so, you might be interested in attending the Annual National Coalition Against the Death Penalty Conference. Even if you haven’t been an activist in the movement before, in light of a state possibly executing an innocent man recently—along with strong evidence of other wrongfully sentenced, as well as exonerated, inmates that exists—it may still be something interesting to attend. It’s set to be held on January 14 through January 17, 2010 at the Seelback Hilton Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

This year’s theme is Training for the Long Run: Building Bridges to Wider Audiences. It will include educational programs on preventing violence and responding to crime. Activists will also have the opportunity to train using methods and models they can use in their own home environments and communities, including the distribution of useful information and a various practical tools.

Various networking opportunities will also be available. Attendees will include murder victim and death row inmate family members, religious leaders, former death row inmates who have been exonerated, criminal justice leaders, lawyers, and other advocates.

The event will culminate with a dinner and award banquet. Some special guests wil include Abolitionists of the Year, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and State Representative Gail Chasey; singer Steve Earle; and many other honorees and notable names within the movement.

The keynote speaker is a woman many will be familiar with, even if they don’t recognize her name. Sister Helen Prejean was the woman the film Dead Man Walking was based on. She will be delivering a speech entitled, “Laying the Groundwork and Building Bridges.”

It will focus on working on the movement in areas that are largely supportive of the death penalty, including law enforcement, religious communities and conservative groups. She will also host a policy discussion on the death penalty and how it is involved with the criminal justice system, as well as a praise and healing ceremony with the Interfaith Paths to Peace Center.

To register or for more information, click here. The cost of the conference, including dinner, is $175 in advance and $225 for tickets purchased after November 23. Hotel fees cost extra; participants who register by December 4 will receive a special conference attendee rate. To get the rate, mention the conference when booking hotel rooms.

For more information about the hotel, contact:

The Seelbach Hilton Louisville Hotel

500 Fourth Streat

Louisville, KY 40202

800-333-3399