-------------------------
Via Workers World News Service
Reprinted from the July 27, 2000
issue of Workers World newspaper
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NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY: GOV. DEATH "AM-BUSHED"
By Imani Henry
New York
Friday, July 14. It was supposed to be a routine day on
the campaign trail for Republican presidential candidate
George W. Bush. An early morning round table discussion
with Black community leaders in Elizabeth, N.J.; then off
to New York to speak at a Conservative Party fundraiser.
Simple, right?
Not so fast, Gov. Death.
At both events, George W. was "Am-Bushed"--to quote the
newspaper headlines--by anti-death-penalty forces holding
him accountable for the June 22 murder of Shaka
Sankofa/Gary Graham.
First stop, the Elizabethport Presby terian Center. A
photo opportunity at an urban community center, where a
primarily African American audience would hear about Bush's
proposal for a $400 million increase in federal funds to
religious-based after-school programs.
This and a few handshakes would surely impress upon the
Black community that Bush was a "compassionate
conservative."
But the Rev. Joseph Garlic didn't buy it.
"You talked this morning about love and giving people an
opportunity, and I think the doubt that surrounded the case
of Gary Graham gave you the opportunity to show some
compassion and love in a way that has not been shown,"
Garlic said.
Sitting next to Bush, the Rev. Garlic spoke out about the
racism of the justice system and asserted that Bush's
decision to kill Sankofa was political.
Earlier Bush had the audacity to remark, "I don't know how
many Republican candidates have come to this neighborhood
before."
As if his mere presence in Elizabeth or at the NAACP
convention a few days earlier would somehow disprove his
racism as he tries to wash the blood of 137 executions off
his hands.
With his "Republican of a different cut" speech completely
overshadowed and his tail between his legs, Bush went to
his next stop in midtown Manhattan.
The Conservative Party fundraiser, a $500-per-plate
luncheon at the Sheraton Hotel, was held to promote New
York State Rep. Rick Lazio's campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Surely Bush would be among friends here. In fact, his good
friend New York Gov. George Pataki was coming by for a
private meeting after the fundraiser.
But midway through Bush's speech, two protesters unfurled
signs and began chanting: "George Bush executed an innocent
man: Gary Graham. End the racist death penalty!"
Just as they had at his July 10 appearance at the NAACP
convention, International Action Center activists struck
back. Judi Cheng and Scott Scheffer held signs with
pictures of Graham/Sankofa and slogans indicting Bush and
the racist death penalty.
Again the media spotlight was shifted from Bush's campaign
to racism and the death penalty--the real issues of this
election year.
Another 25 activists--primarily African American people
from the HIV/AIDS agency Housing Works and activists from
Disabled In Action--tried to get inside the hall. They were
escorted out by security.
Housing Works used Bush's appearance to point out Gov.
Pataki's policy of denying people with disabilities from
earning more than $400 month if they want to keep their
Medicaid benefits. This policy keeps people with
disabilities from earning a living wage.
During a militant protest outside, rally speakers linked
the movement against the death penalty with the struggles
against racism, sexism, the oppression of lesbian, gay, bi
and trans people, AIDS and disabled oppression.
Groups participating in the anti-Bush demonstration
included the National Organization for Women, International
Action Center, National Abortion Rights Action League,
Housing Works, Campaign to End the Death Penalty and
Disabled In Action.
Cheer up, George. There are only a couple of weeks until
the Republican National Convention.
Then, instead of a handful of protesters, there will be
thousands of death-penalty opponents haunting you day and
night.
- END -
(Copyleft Workers World Service. Everyone is permitted to
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