[Ppnews] Haramia KiNassor/Kenneth Foster, Jr. Transferred Clandestinely

[Political Prisoner News]

Haramia KiNassor/Kenneth Foster, Jr. Transferred Clandestinely

By Walidah Imarisha

The indignities in Haramia KiNassor/Kenneth Foster, Jr.'s case climbs 
as KiNassor was transferred to Huntsville Prison, aka the Walls, 
where the executions take place. Death row Inmates are usually 
transferred to Huntsville at noon the day of their execution. But 
because KiNassor has been deemed a "security threat," he was 
transferred early, without prior notice to him or his family and 
supporters. In fact, it was through unofficial channels that his 
family found out about the transfer; otherwise they would have showed 
up at the Polunsky Unit for their last visit with him as usual.

At first, it was unclear whether or not KiNassor's family and 
supporters would be able to visit him tomorrow, but his father 
received a call from the administration saying they would be allowed 
to visit at Huntsville, which is 45 miles from Livingston, where 
everyone is staying. Visiting starts at 8 am.

This clandestine transfer comes at a time when KiNassor's supporters 
are still awaiting word back from the Board of Pardons and Paroles 
(He also still has an emergency appeal before the U.S. Supreme 
Court). It was originally thought a positive sign that they had not 
responded. Usually, the Board summarily denies an appeal by 1 p.m. 
The fact that they chose not to give a response today, and to wait 
until tomorrow, was taken to mean they were intensely discussing this 
situation.

But in light of this transfer, there is a new theory: that perhaps 
the Board of Pardons and Paroles has not responded to delay the 
response of KiNassor's supporters, both inside and outside the walls.

The DRIVE Movement, which KiNassor helped to found, is an 
organization of death row inmates who engage in non violent civil 
disobedience to protest the inhumanity of the death penalty. KiNassor 
is one of the spokespeople and prison authorities are apparently very 
nervous that the execution of an innocent man who has organized so 
tirelessly against the death penalty will spark a protest in the 
prison they will not be able to control.

At this point, the officials' motivations are all speculation.

What is known is that the same day KiNassor was being called a 
"security threat" and transferred to Huntsville, 16 Texas state 
representatives encouraged Governor Rick Perry, collectively and 
individually, to grant him clemency. They joined the ranks of 
thousands of people around the globe calling for KiNassor's clemency, 
including South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Former U.S. 
President Jimmy Carter.

What is also known is that KiNassor's death is scheduled to be the 
third one this week. First was Deroyce Mosley, with John Amador being 
executed today at 6:20 p.m.

KiNassor's supporters are asking everyone to act now, to organize all 
out right now without waiting for a response as the hours slip away, 
and pressure Governor Perry for a stay. Perry has the power to veto 
the Board of Pardons and Paroles' decision, regardless of what it is.

Perry's contact information is:
Gov. Rick Perry:
Phone (512) 463-1782
Fax (512) 463-1849

Protests
Austin, Thursday, August 30, 5:00 PM, Governor's Mansion (Lavaca at 
11th)?EXECUTION PROTEST AND VIGIL?Even in the eleventh hour things 
could turn for Kenneth.  If you can't make it to Huntsville, come out 
to stand with others against the execution.

Thursday, August 30:
3pm-7pm: Protest the execution of Kenneth Foster Jr .outside the 
Ellis Unit in Huntsville Texas. Groups from all over the state will 
converge to stand against this injustice and demand until the very 
end that the State of Texas do the right thing and stop this execution.

THIS CAMPAIGN BADLY NEEDS DONATIONS:?Send donations to:? ?Velocity 
Credit Union, P.O. Box 1089, Austin, Texas  78767?Account name: To 
Save Kenneth Foster?Account number: 831766.1?



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