<html>
<body>
<font size=3><br>
National News<br>
Shaka Sankofa: Wounds unhealed<br>
By Jesse Muhammad<br>
Staff Writer<br>
Updated Jul 14, 2005, 09:16 am<br>
<a href="http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_2099.shtml" eudora="autourl">
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_2099.shtml<br><br>
</a></font><font size=4><b><i>Community organizes work-in for political
prisoners</i></b></font><font size=3> <br><br>
<i>“They are killing me tonight. They are murdering me tonight.” <br>
Shaka’s last words before the lethal injection took effect.<br><br>
</i>HOUSTON (FinalCall.com) - On June 22, the community gathered to honor
and discuss the life of Shaka Sankofa (formerly Gary Graham). Five years
ago, the eyes and ears of the world were focused on his execution and
Huntsville became the focal point of a heated battle to save the life of
a man that many people remember as a revolutionary soldier.
<br><br>
The execution was delayed seven times on the evening of his execution,
and produced an emotional rollercoaster among the protesting community.
The case reached the Supreme Court and was overturned by a 5-4 vote.
Shaka Sankofa was executed by lethal injection. Since that moment at 8:49
p.m., there are wounds from that fight that have never been healed and an
in-depth community dialogue about that hurtful execution had not
occurred.<br><br>
Five years later, the National Black United Front (NBUF) Houston Chapter,
organized by Kofi Taharka, called everyone together for a community
work-in session to discuss the impact of Shaka’s case on the Black
struggle. Each panelist described their personal pains and perspectives
on the execution of Shaka Sankofa. Special guests in attendance included
the mother of Shaka, Lenora Graham, and his daughter Deidra
Graham.<br><br>
“I went down to his gravesite today. Thank you all so much for
remembering my son,” his mother said. Deidra also thanked everyone for
keeping the memory of her father alive.<br><br>
The community affair also focused on the case of political prisoners,
including Assata Shakur. Everyone signed letters addressed to
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18) and Congressman Al Green (TX-9),
requesting them to write letters of inquiry to the Justice Department and
New Jersey officials to bring to light the plight of Sis. Assata. The
letter also requested that they support hearings to address
</font><a href="http://www.noi.org/cointelpro/">
<font size=3 color="#FF0000">COINTELPRO</a></font><font size=3> attacks
on Black leaders and organizations. Hundreds of letters were signed.
Reginald Gordon made a presentation on how to keep children out of the
justice system.<br><br>
At exactly 8:49 p.m., everyone paused for a moment of silence to reflect
on the execution. Then, Minister Robert Muhammad of Muhammad’s Mosque No.
45, who was the spiritual advisor to Shaka Sankofa, addressed the
audience. He witnessed the execution, along with Reverend Jesse Jackson,
Reverend Al Sharpton and Bianca Jagger.<br><br>
“When I just closed my eyes at 8:49, I saw it all over again. We have
never been the same since Shaka was killed,” shared Min. Robert. “He told
me, ‘They try to make us fear death to control us.’ We can’t be afraid!”
he declared.<br><br>
<br><br>
© Copyright 2005 FCN Publishing, FinalCall.com <br><br>
</font><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<font size=3 color="#FF0000">The Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br>
(415) 863-9977<br>
</font><font size=3>
<a href="http://www.freedomarchives.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.freedomarchives.org</a></font></body>
</html>