DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University Professor Justice & Law Administration Professor George Kain has been a crusader-of-sorts in his quest to abolish the death penalty.

Having traveled from state to-state and even across the globe to get the facts out about the death penalty, Kain is proud of his contributions — he’s seen six states, including Connecticut, in the past six years put an end to capital punishment.

Now the WCSU professor is holding “A Celebration of Abolition” at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at the Campus Center Ballroom on the Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The event is free and open to the public.

The keynote speaker, Rev. Walt Everett, will speak about the difficult journey and the power of forgiveness. Everett’s son, Scott, was shot and killed at the age of 24. He is a pastor of United Methodist Church of Hartford, Connecticut.

At the sentencing of his son’s killer, Mike Carlucci, Everett felt a pang of forgiveness and eventually testified at Carlucci’s parole hearing on his behalf. Carlucci will also speak at the celebration. Everett and Carlucci often speak together at universities, churches and community groups about the healing power of forgiveness and healing for both the forgiven and forgiver.

Everett is an ardent advocate of the anti-death penalty movement and is active in numerous abolition and restorative justice organizations. His story has been told in numerous publications including an extensive profile in Rolling Stone.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.