"We refuse to compromise, we refuse to surrender our dignity for what we know is right. But we will move on, we have been strong in the past. We will continue to be strong as a people. You can kill a revolutionary, but you cannot stop the revolution. The revolution will go on. The people will carry the revolution on."
Shaka Sankofa June 22, 2000
While serial killer and possible president George W. Bush continues to sign death warrant after death warrant for Texas Death Row inmates, the state is also continuing its attempts to silence those who protest against these murders. When nine people were arrested for protesting the murder of Shaka Sankofa on June 22, 2000, they expressed the outrage of the masses of people who are fed up with this (In) Justice System and who spoke out against the railroading, sentencing to death, and execution of Shaka Sankofa. With this murder the real criminals in this system were exposed to millions around the world, but the state is now pursuing charges against these protesters!
Lets be clear: On June 22, the only crime committed was the murder of our courageous brother by the state of Texas! The Huntsville 8 call upon you to join in demanding that all of our charges be dropped.
Television coverage reported that eight protesters "stormed the barricades" on June 22 and showed us being dragged away shouting "Stop the Legal Lynching of Shaka!" Seven of us now face up to one year in jail on charges of criminal trespass. An eighth person , whose husband was murdered by Governor Death, was charged with aggravated assault, and faces five years in jail, after allegedly throwing an empty plastic bottle at the prison warden who was harassing Shaka's mother. An early victory for the protesters was won when all charges had to be dropped against the ninth arrested person because authorities were not able to find the arresting officer. Now, the Walker County DA has said that "we intend to prosecute the case," and the people have answered by showing their support for the Huntsville 8 in many different ways.
From the bowels of the Texas Prison system all the way to France, people have written letters of solidarity and encouragement to the defendants. Generous donations to our legal fund continue to come in as our case progresses. At a recent press conference announcing our next court appearance, a representative of the Nation of Islam called upon all those who were outraged at the legal lynching of Shaka Sankofa to join in supporting the Huntsville 8 and demand that all of our charges be dropped. There was mention of the split amongst the ruling class about the issue of the death penalty that is being rubbed raw by massive protest amongst the people who demand a stop to the state's murdering machine. To put it simply, the NOI brother stated: "If justice is not on the horizon, then revolution is!"
On our most recent day in court we brought posters and flyers explaining our case and exposing the real criminals. Many of the people waiting for their own court appearance responded with interest and supportive comments after they read our flyers. Anti-death penalty feelings are alive and well in Huntsville. Inside, we were joined by supporters from Houston and Austin in a great show of solidarity who packed the courtroom and made it clear that the people are on our side.
A sympathetic article on the front page of the local newspaper that announced our appearance in court also mocked the cowards inside the death chamber who murdered a caged-up, unarmed man. It made the DA sound like a fool simply by quoting from his statement about our case: "Their right to protest was not infringed upon. They had an area to protest in and in fact, there were dozens of people who were there protesting who were not arrested. We had those barricades there to keep control." This refers to the hundreds of law enforcement officials it took to successfully carry out the state sanctioned murder of Shaka Sankofa in the face of tremendous unified resistance from people of all ages, backgrounds, and political beliefs.
In further news, a court appearance has still not been scheduled for the eighth protestor, who is facing five years in prison on assault charges stemming from her alleged assault on the warden of the Walls Unit with an empty plastic bottle.
The next court date for seven of the Huntsville 8 is January 10. As Bush continues his murderous rampage on the way to the White House, it is more important than ever to join in the call to stop the state's attempt to silence the voices of protest against the Death Machine. We call upon people to write the Judge and District Attorney of Huntsville, in Walker County, to demand that all charges be dropped immediately:
Walker County DA David P. Weeks, (936) 435-2441, 1036 11th St., Huntsville, TX 77340.
Judge Barbara Hale, (936) 436-4900, 100 University Ave., Suite 101, Huntsville, TX 77340.
Supporters can also spread the word about our case in their communities worldwide. Updates, information about the defendants, and links to related information can be found on our website: www.huntsville8.org. Donations and letters can be sent to "Huntsville 8 Defense Committee," 5380 W. 34 St., #386, Houston, TX 77092. If you are interested, please join the defense team in showing unified support for the defendants and their actions during the state-sanctioned murder of Shaka Sankofa.
The charges against the Huntsville 8 are a politically motivated attempt to hide the crimes of the state by making an example of those who protest their bloody system. Your support of the Huntsville 8 can help to keep the revolutionary spirit of Shaka alive as we turn this unjust trial around and put them, the real criminals, on trial for the murder of brother Shaka Sankofa!
Below is a clear guideline to supporting the Huntsville 8 during this critical period:
PACK THE COURTROOM on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 When & Where: Wednesday, January 10th at 1:30 PM in the Walker County Courthouse (located in the town square of downtown Huntsville). If you need transportation, please call 281.587.6805
TAKE ACTION: Write the Judge and District Attorney to demand that all charges are dropped immediately!
Walker County District Attorney David P. Weeks, (936) 435-2441, 1036 11th
Street, Huntsville, TX 77340
Judge Barbara Hale, (936) 436-4900, 1100 University Avenue, Suite 101, Huntsville, TX 77340
(FAX NUMBERS COMING IN NEXT UPDATE)
VOLUNTEER your help as a member of the Huntsville 8 Defense Committee
If you KNOW of A RADIO STATION, NEWSPAPER, or LOCATION where this case and the murder of Shaka Sankfofa can be discussed and exposed, please call: 281.587.6805
HAND OUT HUNTSVILLE 8 FLYERS in your community (at school, work, and church). For copies please call: 281.587.6805
DONATE MONEY TO THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND Please make checks payable to Huntsville 8 Defense Committee Mail checks to "Huntsville 8 Defense Committee," 5380 W. 34th St., #386, Houston, TX 77092
WEBSITE ADDRESS: http://www.huntsville8.org The site will be developing rapidly over the next month to include updates, upcoming action, defendant information and links to related information sources.
NEW AUSTIN CONTACT NUMBER: (512) 647-7468.
Huntsville 8 Defense Committee
5380 W. 34th Street # 386
Houston, TX 77092
281-587-6805
huntsville8@hotmail.com
Austin Contact Number: (512) 647-7468.
[posted 11/29/00]
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