-------------------------
Via Workers World News Service
Reprinted from the June 8, 2000
issue of Workers World newspaper
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HOUSTON: DEMAND GROWS FOR SANKOFA EVIDENCE TO BE
HEARD
By Gloria Rubac
Houston
Texas death-row activist Shaka Sankofa faces a June 22
execution date. But as protest marches, rallies and public
meetings grow, supporters are optimistic that he will not
be another victim of Gov. George W. Bush's death machine.
>From the bishop of the Diocese of Houston and Galveston to
long-time civil-rights activists, leaders have stepped up
the pressure to force the courts, the governor and the
Board of Pardons and Paroles to stop the execution of
Sankofa.
Sankofa, formerly known as Gary Graham, has been on death
row since 1981, when he was only 17 years old. He has
steadfastly maintained his innocence.
It wasn't until the 1990s that he finally got competent
lawyers and investigators and the truth about his case came
to light. But so far no court has been willing to hear the
evidence of his innocence.
The latest execution date was triggered by the U.S.
Supreme Court's May 1 refusal to hear Sankofa's case.
Houston activists have held news conferences recently
about prison guards gassing Sankofa for refusing to be
moved to a death-watch cell. At another news conference a
fast by Minister Robert Muhammad of Mosque No. 45 of the
Nation of Islam was announced.
A demonstration will be held May 31 in front of the
Criminal [In]Justice Center in downtown Houston.
Activists will converge on Austin June 3 for a
demonstration at the Texas State Capitol called by the
Campaign to End the Death Penalty. Protesters will demand
that Bush stop this racist murder.
On the same day in Houston, the National Black United
Front will convene a public hearing at the Texas Southern
University School of Law featuring Dr. Imari Obadele of the
National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America and
the Republic of New Africa. The purpose of the forum is to
show that the government does not have the right to
imprison or execute African Americans in the United States.
On June 11 there will be an "Afternoon in the Park with
Shaka Sankofa" rally featuring music and spoken-word
support. It will begin at noon in Houston's Tranquility
Park.
JUNETEENTH ACTIONS
On the evening of June 16 a protest will be held outside
the gala fundraiser held in conjunction with that weekend's
Texas Republican Convention in Houston. The next day there
will be a demonstration outside the convention, which is
hosting 17,000 delegates, guests and media.
The Shaka Sankofa/Gary Graham Justice Coalition, Texas
Death Penalty Abolition Movement, SHAPE Community Center,
and Mosque No. 45 are calling on all progressive forces to
join in these protests.
On Juneteenth--June 19--the Shaka Sankofa/Gary Graham
Justice Coalition will participate in the Juneteenth Parade
in downtown Houston. The parade attracts crowds of hundreds
of thousands. Activists will not only be in the parade but
will distribute leaflets to the crowd about going to Austin
in the next couple of days if Sankofa has not yet received
a stay of execution.
Radio talk shows in the African American community have
been featuring guest supporters of Sankofa who are taking
the facts of the case to the people.
Members of the Justice Coalition have passed out leaflets
at churches and festivals to get out the truth about this
case. The Nation of Islam is distributing fliers each day
when members take their newspaper, the Final Call, to the
corners in Black communities around Houston.
To join in the activities, readers can call the Texas
Death Penalty Abolition Movement at (713) 521-0629 or visit
the Web site www.geocities.com/tdpam/.
- END -
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