Roman Colosseum Lights Up to Mark New Jersey's Decision to Abolish Death Penalty

The Roman Colosseum was lit up with gold light tonight to celebrate New Jersey's decision to abolish the death penalty and to celebrate a United Nations vote to establish a moratorium on the death penalty. The lay movement, The Community of Sant'Egidio, is one of the prime movers behind this gesture.

The Colosseum, a site of executions and gladiator contests during the Roman Empire, has emerged as a symbol in organized campaigns against capital punishment. It has received the golden treatment -- its regular lighting is white -- about 20 times since 1999.