----- Original Message -----
From: Philip Ferguson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 11:24 PM
Subject: Gary Graham Beatings
> I just got this, which was circulated around various left-wing people in
> New Zealand:
>
>
> > ACTION NEEDED!! SUPPORT NEEDED!! ================================== Just
> >got off the phone with Ricky Jason (409) 924-7303 who has been
faithfully
> >visiting and communicating with Gary Graham (Shaka Sankofa) for over a
> >year now. They corresponded so regularly that Ricky became concerned
> >when he hadn't received a letter from him recently, felt something was
> >wrong, and immediately set out to see Gary yesterday (5/9) a.m. He got
> >to the prison at 8:00 a.m. and was forced to wait almost 45 minutes for
> >them to bring Gary out. While using the restroom, Ricky overheard the
> >racist guards laughing about Gary having used up his last appeal and
that
> >"now we can execute that nigger." When finally allowed to see Gary,
> >Ricky Jason along with witness William Butler did not even recognize
him,
> >and said to each other "Man look! God have mercy! What happened!" Gary
> >was covered in filth with his shirt ripped, looking as though he had
been
> >wallowing on the ground. He had a huge knot over his eyebrow and was
> >shaking like a leaf, stuttering, and asking for food. Gary wanted to
> >know how Ricky got in, that they had put him on restriction so that
only
> >a lawyer, minister or media person could see him. All regular visits
> >have been stopped. Ricky told Gary to just hurry up and tell him what
had
> >happened in case the guards came in and forced him to leave. Gary told
> >Ricky that the day the execution date was set, guards came to his cell
> >with their heads covered with hoods to conceal their identity. They
> >said, "Let's go, Graham" and Gary said, "I'm not going anywhere, I'm
> >innocent, I didn't do nothing." Guards told him he had to be moved to
> >the next phase and tear gassed him twice, beat and dragged him to the
> >other room, where Gary passed out. The guards took everything from
Gary,
> >his radio, his typewriter, even his underwear. Gary had a large box of
> >mail ready to be sent out and the guards said they were not going to let
> >Gary's mail go out and these many, many letters have not been seen
> >since. Gary said he hadn't eaten and that the chaplain has to be
> >present when he eats or does anything at all. They are trying to cover
> >up all this sick torture they are putting on him and Gary feels totally
> >isolated and vulnerable to racist attacks by the guards. Ricky said as
> >soon as he got home he called the warden and was kept on hold for 30 to
> >40 minutes. He called back later and they did the same thing to him.
> >Ricky said he hasn't slept at all last night and is extremely worried
> >and upset about Gary's condition yesterday and who knows what of his
> >condition today? From Ricky: "They are dragging him down just like
> >they did James Byrd. Gary Graham is a leader and that is why they are
so
> >scared of him. We got to stand up and do something right away! If
> >they're beating him down now, imagine what they will do to him next
month
> >when his execution date is closer? The racism in the prison is very
easy
> >to see, the guards are brutal and I haven't slept worrying about the
> >condition I saw Gary in and what may be happening to him right now. We
> >need to call into the warden, the president, Gov. Bush, anyone and
> >everyone and stand up and stop this torture and this execution. Gary
> >Graham is innocent and they know it!" PLEASE SUPPORT BY PASSING THIS
ON
> >AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. ANYONE WHO HAS MEDIA CREDENTIALS *PLEASE* WORK ON
> >GETTING IN TO SEE GARY, HIS CONDITION MUST BE MONITORED REGULARLY AND
> >HIS STORY MUST GO OUT WORLDWIDE ASAP! PAM AFRICA IS CALLING ON ALL
> >SUPPORTERS OF MUMIA TO ALSO SUPPORT GARY GRAHAM AT THIS CRITICAL TIME!
> >HERE IS THE CONTACT INFO FROM THE PIECE THAT WAS SENT OUT YESTERDAY
(WILL
> >SEND OUT CONTACT INFO FOR WARDEN AS SOON AS SOMEONE SENDS IT TO ME):
> > GOVERNOR GEORGE W. BUSH JR.
> > OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
> > P.O. BOX 12428
> > AUSTIN, TX 78711
> > PHONE: (512) 463-2000
> > FAX: (512) 463-1849
> > E-MAIL: www.governor.state.tx.us/email.htm1
> >
> > BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLE
> > GERALD GARRETT, CHAIRMAN
> > PRICE DANIEL, SR. BUILDING
> > 209 W. 14TH STREET, SUITE 500
> > AUSTIN, TX 78701
> > PHONE: (512) 463-1679
> > FAX: (512) 463-8120
> >
> > AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN
> > LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
> > P.O. BOX 670
> > AUSTIN, TX 78767-0670
> > PHONE: (512) 445-3500
> > FAX: (512) 445-3679
> >
> > THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
> > LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
> > P.O. BOX 655237
> > DALLAS, TX 75265-5237
> > PHONE: (214) 977-8222
> > FAX: (214) 977-8319
> >
> > HOUSTON CHRONICLE
> > LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
> > P.O. BOX 4260
> > HOUSTON, TX 77210-4260
> > PHONE: (713) 220-7171
> > FAX: (713) 220-6677
> >
> > HOUSTON DEFENDER
> > LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
> > P.O. BOX 8005
> > HOUSTON, TX 77288-8005
> > PHONE: (713) 663-6996
> > FAX: (713) 663-7116
> >
>
>
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