Sears and Chicago Dead Wrong About Benetton
Washington, D.C. (February 18, 2000) -- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) was pleased to assist the Benetton Group with the project, “We, On Death Row.” We believe it presents an important -- and often overlooked -- portrait of the human faces on death row.
According to published reports in today’s Chicago Sun-Times, Sears has bowed to political pressure from Chicago aldermen who threatened to withdraw a $13 million city redevelopment grant to Sears if Sears did not cancel its Benetton contract. “We are outraged that Sears, Roebuck and Co. would knuckle under to this kind of irresponsible political pressure,” said William B. Moffitt, NACDL president.
“Even the Governor of Illinois has determined that there is a need for more dialogue and consideration in this country about the justification and need for capital punishment. Benetton’s "We, On Death Row" helps further this dialogue. It is appalling that Chicago city officials would threaten to use taxpayer money to silence and censure this effort,” Moffitt said.