Gang Violence, The Death of a Catholic Witness, and an Innocent on Death Row

By Cooper Winkler '26

Founded in Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1997, the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice is now the largest Catholic social justice gathering in the United States. IFTJ is an annual conference held in remembrance of the El Salvadoran martyrs; six Jesuit priests and two women who were killed due to their outspoken commitment to the most vulnerable. IFTJ seeks to carry on this mission, advocating for social change in our country.

Having attended IFTJ, I was given the opportunity to attend a series of keynote speakers and breakout sessions which all furthered my understanding of social justice. Although all of these were impactful, three struck a deep chord with me. Namely, the presentation on Homeboy Industries, the breakout session surrounding Abu Akleh, and the breakout session about Dewayne Brown’s freedom.

Homeboy Industries

During the first keynote speaker, Father Gregory Boyle spoke about his organization: Homeboy Industries. Homeboy Industries is a nonprofit organization which seeks to end

gang violence in Los Angeles. Father Boyle spoke to us about ways we and the government can work to keep individuals out of gangs, preventing crime on our streets before it even happens.

Having found Father Boyle’s speech interesting, I chose to attend a breakout session run by Homeboys, furthering my understanding of the organization. There, I heard from ex-gang members, listening to first hand testimonies of how Homeboys changed their lives. These stories were incredibly impactful and taught me more about our juvenile justice system, something I previously knew little about. These ex-gang members told us about how they were brought into their respective gangs, and how it seemed, for them, that there was no other choice besides gang life.

Abu Akleh

A journalist working in Israel and Palestine, Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli

forces on May 11th 2022, a year before the Israel-Palestine conflict. Shireen Abu Akleh became a field journalist in 1997 and reported on Israel’s occupation of Palestine. She brought hope to the Palestinian people; not just a journalist but someone who genuinely cared about them and their lives. So, when she was assassinated by an Israeli military sniper, this brought heartbreak to the Palestinian people.

Yet the injustice of Abu Akleh’s death doesn’t end there. Abu Akleh had American citizenship, meaning the United States was responsible for bringing justice to her. However, the U.S. failed to do this, saying that shots fired from the Israeli military were “likely responsible” for her death but they “found no reason to believe that this was intentional.” This further enraged Palestinians, the United States single handedly failing to bring justice to Abu Akleh’s death.

Alfred Dewayne Brown

Alfred Dewayne Brown was sent to death row as an innocent man. He was accused of committing a double murder in Houston, the trial he was accused at only lasting three

days before he was sent to be executed.

Alfred Dewayne Brown’s sentencing surrounded several issues - the first being the false testimony given by his girlfriend, Ericka Dockery. Dockery originally stated that Brown was asleep on her couch at the time of the crime, however upon being threatened by the prosecution, she changed her testimony, claiming that Brown had confessed to committing the crime. 

In 2011, Dockery revealed that she had been lying during her testimony because she had been threatened. Additionally, a homicide detective found a telephone log that a call was made from Dockery’s home telephone to her workplace which proved Brown had been telling the truth. Ultimately, Brown was exonerated.Much more information can be found about this case in the Innocence Files, a television show surrounding stories of death row inmates.

IFTJ has given me the opportunity to advocate for issues I care about and learn more about issues of which I am unfamiliar. I highly suggest those with interest apply for the trip next year, it’s a great chance to broaden your horizons and learn more about issues you are passionate about.

All Images Courtesy of waste360.com, cnn.com, catholic.edu and newyorktimes.com

Sources: waste360.com,  cnn.com, catholic.edu and newyorktimes.com

Edited by Grace Meadow '29, Kavya Chacko '26, Catherine Polatidis '26, & Ms. Brilliant

Fair Use Disclaimer   

The images and contents in this article are under Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.