Just a reminder that we we will be launching the next issue of Upping the Anti in Toronto at 8pm on Thursday, May 8th 2008 at the Concorde Cafe (937 Bloor St - just east of Dovercourt at Ossington Station). DJ's Saira Chhibber and DJ Miss Ruckus will be spinning tunes and there will be a large number of awesome and exciting raffle prizes. This is a wheel-chair accessible location.

We hope to see you there!

UPPING THE ANTI SUDBURY LAUNCH EVENT: THE POLITICS OF HIP HOP - MAY 14TH

Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm sharp.
Laurentian University, Class Room Building (between the Library and the Arts Building), Room C-304. This is a wheel-chair accessible location.

A discussion of hip hop sparked by the "It's Bigger Than Hip Hop" interview with Mutula Olugbala ( M-1) from the revolutionary hip hop duo Dead Prez in Upping the Anti 6. This event will include speakers, discussion, and music videos. Copies of Upping the Anti 6 will be available for $5 each.

Speakers:

Shana Calixte -- "Your Revolution Will not Happen Between these Thighs: Forwarding a Hip Hop Feminist Pedagogy." Shana, queer mom/black eminist/academic is a lecturer in the Women's Studies department at Laurentian University. She has recently reconnected with her love of Hip Hop music, and currently teaches a course entitled: Theorizing Hip Hop Feminisms: Race, Gender and Sexuality at York University. She lives with her partner and son Dré in Sudbury.

Kaili Beck -- "Music and the Movement: Using music as pedagogy for social change." Kaili is a professor of Sociology and Labour Studies at Laurentian University and a consumate music fan. She volunteered for many years in Campus and Community Radio and the Northern Lights Festival Boreal, along with being a part of presenting many of the early all-ages shows o underground music in Sudbury through the early to mid 1990's. Kaili has spent much of her spare time actively participating in cultural events in the community, ranging from presenting underground concerts to organizing the Sudbury chapter of the Radical Cheerleaders, to bring entertainment and social activism together.

Robin Desmeules -- "Who May Play? Investigating Hip Hop and Identity"
Robin is a musician from the Sudbury area with a passionate interest in the ways that music and politics intersect. She will complete her undergraduate degree in Music and Political Science at Laurentian University this spring, and begins graduate studies in Music and Culture at Carleton University in the fall.

Alex-Rev -- "Visions of Hip Hop: Striking a Balance"
Facilitated discussion of the complexities and contradictions of native hip hop produced in Canada. Looking at both the revolutionary potential and the ppressive aspects of the music. Alex-Rev is an original guerrilla - with Common Cause, Sudbury Against War and Occupation. Fan of RGB Hip-Hop. Helping Hand with Indigenous Rebellion.

For travel and childcare subsidization, of if you need a ride from downtown to the event and back, call Gary at 523-2205 or email gkinsman@laurentian.ca

Upping the Anti is a radical journal of theory and action which provides a space to address and discuss unresolved questions and dynamics within the anti-capitalist, anti-oppression, and anti-imperialist politics of today's radical left in Canada. For more information on Upping the Anti go to http://uppingtheanti.org/

TORONTO INDIGENOUS SOLIDARITY EVENT - MAY 10TH

Building Solidarity Across Struggles: a half day conference on supporting the struggles of the people of Six Nations

This event is being jointly organized by CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group, the Black Action Defense Committee, and the Anarchist Black Cross Federation – Toronto Chapter.

Saturday May 10th, 2008 1pm to 8pm at the Concorde Café 937 Bloor St.

1pm – 2:30pm Movie Screenings: Viewing of several short films by Tracy Bomberry and Tom Keefer on the Six Nations reclamation.

2:30pm – 4:00pm UPDATE AND BACKGROUNDER ON THE STRUGGLE AT SIX NATIONS. Bryan Skye on the current status of negotiations, the history of the Haldimand tract, and the connection between indigenous and environmental struggles. Ruby Monture on the status of ongoing land rights struggles in Brantford. Adam Hill on the historic links between indigenous and anti-racist struggles, the upcoming solidarity festival in Six Nations, and his experiences at the reclamation site.

4:00pm – 5:30pm: HOW CAN NON-NATIVES BUILD SUPPORT FOR SIX NATIONS? Chris Harris from BADC on the relationship between Black and indigenous struggles. Joanne Webb (CUPE National Aboriginal Council) on how to build trade union support for indigenous sovereignty. Jan Watson, Caledonia resident, on building solidarity for indigenous struggles in Caledonia and other non-native towns in the Haldimand tract. Tom Keefer on strategies for vercoming far right organizing against indigenous struggles.

5:30PM: CATERED DINNER PROVIDED BY THE CONCORDE CAFE

6:30pm – 8:00pm: INCARCERATION AND RESISTANCE. Movie showing of Robert Seth Hayes' Video Statement on Black Liberation, Political Prisoners and the Six Nations Struggle. Skyler Williams, Six Nations political prisoner on resisting state repression. Sarah Dover, lawyer for Six Nations political prisoners on the historical and political context of state repression against indigenous peoples. Sara Falconer on the work of the Anarchist Black Cross and how to build a long-term movement in support of political prisoners.

Due to space considerations, attendance to this event is limited. We want to prioritize the attendance at this meeting of people committed to doing ongoing work in support of indigenous sovereignty. If you are interested in attending the event please send an email to 3903fnswg@gmail.com to register.

This is our Winter 08 issue, so we send warm, positive and Revolutionary RED Season's greetings to each and every reader.

Section one has information on the most important political case in America today - the San Francisco 8 case.

Section two continues our discussion on Hip Hop and revolution. Be sure to check out the article on Tupac, written by his father Mutulu Shakur.

Section three has a very informative piece on ETA and the liberation struggle in the Basque country. We also have a detailed and informative revolutionary analysis on Iran.

Section four is loaded with information and ideas on the ongoing resistance to the repression of U.S. imperialism here in America. There is an article by Assata Shakur, on the Prison Industrial Complex. Also articles on Filiberto Ojeda Rios and Puerto Rico, on the Jena 6, the Black Riders in LA, and on Indigenous resistance. We also have a report on the U.S. Social Forum, as well as poignant reflections on captivity.

Hope you find lots of this material useful and thought provoking, and even more importantly, action provoking. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan drag on and people are dying daily. Government repression continues across the U.S., killer cops, overcrowded prisons, court room injustices. During this holiday season, lets not only think of Peace, but act for it too.

Our next issue will be out in April. Issue 11 will include one new and different thing. We will run the entire booklet entitled "A Basic Introduction to Dialectical and Historical Materialism". This training document has been used by various activists and formations over the years, to help people learn and sharpen their skills of revolutionary analysis.

See you in April in issue 11.

Freedom, Justice and
Dynamic Peace!
Jaan Laaman, editor

Thanks to all of our readers and contributors for your patience during the publication delays of the past several months. We've tried to keep this material as timely as possible, but have included a few older updates that we think are important. We're proud to be putting out our tenth issue, and we hope you'll continue to help us make 4strugglemag a strong voice in our social justice movements in 2008. – karen emily and Sara, Montreal ABCF

This issue’s cover illustration is by political prisoner Tom Manning

The government is going full force to railroad these elders-brothers. Part of this is to send these life-long Freedom Struggle workers to prison until they die, and part of it is to try to intimidate younger generations of activists.

The San Francisco 8 case is probably the most important political trial of the last 15 or 20 years. Now, during this period of war and heightened government surveillance and repression, it is both the right thing to do and important for ongoing social and environmental justice, peace and human rights work, that we actively support the SF8 in their struggle for justice and freedom.

Jaan Laaman, editor

Herman Bell, 59, of Mississippi, a political prisoner since 1973. Cointelpro's "pattern of manipulation and lies, continuing into the present, indicates something more than the ordinary corruption and racism of everyday law enforcement. It can be understood only in terms of the power of the political movement that [we] were part of, and the intensity of the government's efforts to destroy that movement and to disillusion and intimidate future generations of young activists." Write to him - 2318931, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco CA 94103.

Ray Boudreaux, 64, of Altadena. "Actually for the last 25 years I've lived a pretty peaceful and quiet life. My politics are still the same. It's just that I'm not active. People come to me sometimes as a peace-maker. And all of that has to do with all of my experience." Write to him - 2301300, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco CA 94103.

Richard Brown, 65, of San Francisco. "For the past six years I have been a Community Court Judge Arbitrator working with the San Francisco District Attorney's office. We place a lot of emphasis on restorative justice, so most of the community service done will be done in our own community where the offender can give back to the community." Write to him - 2300819, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco CA 94103.

Henry W. (Hank) Jones, 70, of Altadena. "I [have lived] under the constant threat of another ... incarceration. In essence I have been robbed of peace of mind, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am therefore compelled to resist these tactics and inform the public of my recent experience, feeling that something similar could happen to anyone given the climate of fear, paranoia, and abuse of authority that is rampant in our country today." Write to him - 2301301, 425 Seventh St, San Francisco CA 94103.

Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom), 55, of San Francisco, a political prisoner in New York since 1978. "The United States does not recognize the existence of political prisoners. To do so would give credence to the fact of the level of repression and oppression, and have to recognize the fact that people resist racist oppression in the United States, and therefore, legitimize the existence of not only the individuals who are incarcerated or have been captured, but also legitimize those movements of which they are a part." Write to him - 2311826, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco CA 94103.

Richard O'Neal, 58, has worked for the City of San Francisco for 25 years, most recently at the Southeast Community Center in Bay View. “People who work there said they were stunned by his arrest, recalling him as a kind and gentle man who always had a smile on his face and would stay late to fix lights or other things.” (SF Chronicle) The dean of the campus noted, “He is a trusted employee who would do anything to help us...He would take the shirt off his back to try to help you.” Richard has been charged with “conspiracy.” Write to him - 2300818, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco CA 94103.

Harold Taylor, 58, of Panama City. "In 1971, two brothers and I were set up by the FBI. We didn't learn about COINTELPRO until years later. In 1973 I was arrested in New Orleans and was beaten and tortured for several days. in 2003 the detectives that were responsible for my torture came to my house to try and question me. I have not been the same since." Write to him - 2305584, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.

Francisco Torres, 58, of New York City. Cisco born in Puerto Rico and raised in this country. He is a Vietnam Veteran who fought for the grievances of Black and Latino soldiers upon his return to the states. A fomer Black Panther, he has been a community activist since his discharge from the military in 1969. Write to him - 2307534, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.

Francisco Torres was freed on bail September 21! He is the last of those eligible for bail. Hank Jones was freed on bail September 18. Harold Taylor was freed on bail September 12. Ray Boudreaux was freed on bail September 11. Richard O'Neal was freed on bail Wednesday, August 29 and Richard Brown was freed on bail Thursday, August 30.

Unfortunately, neither Herman Bell nor Jalil Muntaqim is eligible for bail even though they are both parole-eligible in New York State. Both have served over 30 years in various prisons for their political ideas, commitments and their participation in the Black Liberation Struggle.

Court Update: September 11

20 students from Met West high School in Oakland joined jubilant and now released SF8 defendants Richard Brown and Richard O'Neal and dozens of supporters in the hallway of the SF Courthouse. Many warm embraces were exchanged between the two Richards and supporters who had been corresponding and visiting them at the jail through glass and over jail phones.

Conspiracy Count Dropped against Five of the San Francisco Eight! On January 10, 2008, Judge Philip Moscone officially accepted an amended complaint by the prosecution in the San Francisco 8 trial today – in effect completely dropping charges against Richard O’Neal who was only charged with conspiracy. While he faces no further legal prosecution in the case, Richard was immediately served with a subpoena to testify at the preliminary hearing scheduled for April 21.

Conspiracy charges dropped due to statute of limitations: Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Hank Jones, and Harold Taylor are now accused only of the alleged murder in 1971 of SF Police Sergeant John Young. The conspiracy counts were dropped against all five brothers when defense motions correctly challenged the charges on the grounds that the statute of limitations on charges of conspiracy in California (three years) had expired. The conspiracy allegations include several acts alleged to have taken place from 1968 to 1973.

Next court date February 7: A new court date was scheduled for Thursday, February 7th when arguments will be made to drop the remaining conspiracy charges against Herman Bell, Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom) and Francisco Torres. The prosecution claims that because the three men were not in California the statute of limitations does not apply. "This is a ridiculous argument," according to defense attorney Stuart Hanlon, "as these men were forcefully removed from the state against their will by being imprisoned. Following his acquittal on charges in New York State, Cisco Torres was living in New York City. All three were consistently available to California State prosecutors."

Formal pleas a year later: Almost a year after they were charged and arrested, all eight of the brothers formally entered NOT GUILTY pleas to all of the charges.

This same case dropped in 1975: Former San Francisco District Attorney Thomas Norman was not available to testify at this hearing due to health issues. He was originally sought to explain why this same case was dropped in 1975 when he decided that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the case. So-called “confessions” made when several brothers were arrested, tortured, and forced to sign police-scripted statements were deemed inadmissible in the 1970s. Attempts to secure Norman’s complete notes and files will be made in time for the February 7th hearing.

Harold Taylor remains free on bail: California prosecutors re-raised a request to increase bail for Harold Taylor. Florida prosecutors filed charges in December against Taylor for the alleged purchase of a controlled substance. Judge Moscone was clear that although this was the case, the dropping of the conspiracy charges against him in San Francisco cancelled out the seriousness of the Florida matter – so bail will remain the same.

Growing support: A large crowd of San Francisco 8 supporters had to wait outside in the hallway of the San Francisco Courthouse today after police officers were given early access to seats in Judge Moscone’s court. The courtroom was nevertheless overwhelmingly packed with supporters and high energy as this major unraveling of the prosecution’s case unfolded. All of the brothers felt positive about the legal developments and the growing level of public support for them.

The government's case is falling apart

This is a major victory in this case which rests on statements coerced under torture. "This is the first step in the government's case falling apart," Hanlon said.

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights

The FBI not only targeted the Black Panther Party, but according to this COINTELPRO memo: "Intensified attention under this program should be afforded to the activities of such groups as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Revolutionary Action Movement, the Deacons for Defense and Justice, Congress of Racial Equality, and the Nation of Islam. Particular emphasis should be given to extremists who direct the activities and policies of revolutionary or militant groups such as Stokely Carmichael, H. "Rap" Brown, Elijah Muhammad, and Maxwell Stanford." By March 4, 1968, COINTELPRO was in full operation leading to directing its full attention to the Black Panther Party to prohibit the BPP from developing durable long-term political and organizational relationships with various segments of the Black community.

This case represents the continuation of that COINTELPRO objective, to further indicate how the government will persecute today's activists. The government is seeking to rewrite the history of struggle as exemplified by the BPP, venomously trying to define that legacy of struggle as a "terrorist" movement.

We vehemently reject that labeling, as the government attempts to characterize the San Francisco 8 as "terrorists," "criminals," and "wanton killers." They will never say the SF8 were political activists and progressive civil/human rights organizers. They will never say they sought to relieve the community of all forms of state sponsored terrorism that is often found in Black, Asian and Latino communities today. They will never admit to the unconstitutional practices of the FBI COINTELPRO activities, despite the 1974 Senate Church Committee findings condemning those practices. Furthermore, they will never seek to establish remedies for those who are victims of the illegal FBI and local police actions under COINTELPRO, and now under the Patriot Act, if we don't demand they do so.

It is with this understanding the SF8 are issuing this joint statement, calling for friends and supporters to organize a national determination to ensure our victory. Ours will be a victory against fear and state terrorism; it will be a defeat against state torture tactics, threats and coercion.

This case and our call for action will teach today's activists what to expect from the state in its efforts to suppress dissent and protest of government repression. Indeed, this task will forward a broader understanding of what happened in the Movement of the 60s and 70s, and how COINTELPRO disrupted and destroyed the most viable Black political party that emerged out of the civil rights movement. Ultimately, what is here proposed will tell of a youth movement and how the government sought to undermine and destroy it. The proposal will expose how the government seeks to retaliate because those youth (who are now Elders) did in fact challenge the system of racist oppression. They not only challenged oppressive conditions in our collective communities, but also worked to support all oppressed peoples fighting against colonialism and imperialism at that time.

This case evolves out of a history of political struggle in this country, and it is our duty to fulfill that mission by expressing what happened then, and COINTELPRO's negative impact on today's social movements. Therefore, while we engage in a legal battle in the courtroom, it is imperative we urge our friends and supporters to extend the political front in the various communities. We must reach out to the various street organizations and youth groups, the animal and earth liberation groups, women's rights and LGBT forums, the immigration rights struggles, and the many ethnic communities who are struggling for a better life in this country.

Hence, the course of the overall struggle to win the release of the San Francisco 8 requires a broad political determination, reaching beyond the important legal issues of the case. For example, the question of torture, COINTELPRO, and matters of reconciliation are essential to this case. Therefore, a successful national campaign in support of the SF8 requires friends and supporters to achieve the following objectives:

1. Anti-Torture Legislation:

In 1909, the Niagara Movement evolved into the NAACP led by W.E.B. Dubois. The principal platform of the NAACP at that time was a struggle to forge an anti-lynching movement. Today, torture in its many forms has become a scourge in America: there is the inhumane use of restraint chairs in jails and prisons, an especially despicable device reminiscent of medieval torture mechanisms; there has been an increase in use of the taser as a weapon to induce confessions and control prisoners, resulting in many deaths, another inhumane torture device. In the case of the SF8, law enforcement officers employed similar torture techniques, including those used in Vietnam and in Abu Ghraib by U.S. military personnel. The use of torture permeates all facets of the so-called "criminal justice system."

Obviously, like the old anti-lynching platform of the NAACP, the San Francisco 8 call for a national campaign demanding anti-torture legislation on local levels (city councils and state legislatures). The SF8 hold that any form of interrogation that employs the use of water boarding, simulated drowning techniques, cattle prods, tasers, restraint chairs, physical beatings, sensory and sleep deprivation, and psychological coercion must be deemed inhumane and criminal. Therefore, the San Francisco 8 call for all progressive and peace loving people to join in a national campaign on city, state and congressional levels for proclamations and legislation outlawing all forms of torture.

2. Reopen COINTELPRO Hearings:

It is well known that the FBI targeted the Black Panther Party for annihilation under the secret counter-intelligence program (COINTELPRO). The FBI COINTELPRO effort resulted in the assassination, criminalization, vilification, and the splitting of the BPP leading to its destruction, with many BPP members today languishing in prisons. The FBI COINTELPRO actions worked in alliance with police departments across the country, and today, the Patriot Act has legalized much of what were illegal COINTELPRO practices. In 1974, the Senate Church Committee investigating the illegal FBI COINTELPRO activities declared such practices unconstitutional. However, the Senate Church Committee failed to create remedies for those who suffered from the unconstitutional practices of the FBI and police departments.

Subject to that reality, the San Francisco 8 hereby call for a national movement for the reopening of COINTELPRO hearings. We, the SF8, urge friends and supporters to phone/fax/write to John Conyers, Chair of the Judiciary Committee in Congress, and appeal for him to conduct public hearings on why victims of COINTELPRO languish in prison over 30 years after it was declared unconstitutional. We, the SF8, ask friends and supporters to contact your congressional representative, Congressional Black Caucus members and other elected officials urging them to enable John Conyers to reopen COINTELPRO hearings.

3. Truth and Reconciliation Commission:

At the conclusion of hostilities in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa, many progressive forces took a path to resolve potential antagonisms subject to racial, socioeconomic and political strife during the decades of apartheid. That path led to the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, principally led by the Honorable Bishop Desmond Tutu.

In the United States, people of Afrikan descent suffered the trauma of chattel slavery, Black Codes, Jim Crow segregation laws, political repression and state terrorism under the auspices of COINTELPRO. However, unlike South Africa, at no time has there been a national determination to resolve political, social or economic antagonisms born out of centuries/decades of racial strife.

In recent years, as a result of the reparations movement, some corporations, cities and states have issued apologies for having been involved in the Atlantic slave trade. Despite these apologies, the systemic inequities prevail with devastating consequences on every vestige of life confronting the majority of people of Afrikan descent in America.

The San Francisco 8 understand that these historic dynamics perpetuate social-cultural determinants that inhibit the necessary psychological inducements towards self-reliance and self-determination. Therefore, we are calling for progressive peoples to open dialogue and begin the process towards organizing a national Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address these inequities. We believe such a Commission could serve as a catalyst to forge substantial resolutions to heal America's racial trauma.

In conclusion, it is these three areas of concern we jointly agree will empower a national campaign to virtually expose the negative impact of both COINTELPRO and the Patriot Act. We call for all progressive peoples in support of the San Francisco 8 and all U.S. political prisoners to find the means to organize committees and coalitions to implement this proposal on local and national levels.

Again, we, the San Francisco 8, extend our heartfelt appreciation for your solidarity and support. Let us, together, build a sustainable and durable initiative that redresses civil and human rights violations, as we organize to win the freedom of the San Francisco 8.

Free All U.S. Political Prisoners!
The San Francisco 8

In addition to Nobel peace related and church organizations, the International Call will bring world-wide and key regional associations into direct contact with the Committee in Defense of Human Rights, and other groups working on behalf of the SF8. Intended also as a tool for local activists within the U.S. to help reach out to local religious and community based organizations, the Call will eventually be used to put pressure on both federal and local California authorities to see that justice is done for all members of the Eight, and all who have suffered torture at the hands of the U.S. criminal justice system. Call organizer and War Resisters International activist Matt Meyer reported that interest in the Call has already been generated amongst the founders of the Nobel Women's Initiative, in academic circles, and in key constituencies across three continents. "We have a great opportunity," he noted, "and a great responsibility to bring news of this case far beyond our usual circles, until justice is finally done."

The full text of the International Call follows, with current signers:

International Call on the San Francisco 8

Initiated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate 1984, and Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate 1976

Given our commitment to and history in the global justice and human rights movements,

Given our commitment to reconciliation between peoples and governments,

Given that the U.S. government and Federal Bureau of Investigation has been shown, through past U.S. Congressional hearings and legal proceedings, to have been involved in illegal policing activities against civil and human rights organizations;

Given that these illegal activities, epitomized by the FBI Counter Intelligence Programs (COINTELPRO), targeted the Black Panther Party, and appears to have an ongoing presence;

Given that eight former Black Panthers – men now all in their fifties, sixties, and seventies – were arrested on January 23, 2007;

Given that these arrests were based on charges related to a 1971 murder, a murder investigated and brought to court in 1975 with the charges dismissed;

Given that no new evidence has been uncovered, and that the alleged evidence in the 1973 investigation was thrown out of court due to a judicial finding that statements were made under conditions of extreme torture, including: electric shock, cattle prods, beatings, sensory deprivation, plastic bags and hot, wet blankets for asphyxiation; and

Given that these new charges amount to little more than continued governmental harassment, violating basic principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture;

We call on all appropriate legal and governmental authorities to:

investigate and end all incidents of torture within the U.S. criminal justice system;

drop all current charges for all eight men in question, namely: Herman Bell, Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Henry W. (Hank) Jones, Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom), Richard O'Neal, Harold Taylor, and Francisco Torres;

convene official investigations into the ongoing legacy and possible continued operation of COINTELPRO and similar programs, with an eye towards true reconciliation and human rights based on internationally recognized standards and principles; and release immediately, on humanitarian grounds, Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom)-each of whom have served over thirty years of disproportionately long sentences based on the COINTELPRO criminalization of the Black Panther Party and the U.S. civil rights movement.

The Most Reverend Dr. Desmond Mpilo Tutu,
Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa;
Nobel Peace Laureate 1984

Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Community of Peace People, Northern Ireland; Nobel Peace Laureate 1976

Betty Williams, Community of Peace People, Northern Ireland; Nobel Peace Laureate 1976

Darryl Jordan, Director-American Friends Service Committee* Third World Coalition
(AFSC received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947)

William Wardlaw, Executive Director's Leadership Council, Amnesty International/USA* (Amnesty International received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977)

Marie Dennis, Co-President, Pax Christi International; Director-Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Lois M. Dauway, Women's Division, Global Ministries, United Methodist Chuch; Central Committee member, World Council of Churches

* Organizations listed for identification purposes only

For more information on the International Call, contact: Matt Meyer, War Resisters International, 339 Lafayette Street, NY 10012 USA, mmmsrnb@igc.org; and the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights.

About the Committee for Defense of Human Rights

The mission of the Committee for Defense of Human Rights is to draw attention to human rights abuses perpetrated by the government of the United States and law enforcement authorities which were carried out in an effort to destroy progressive organizations and individuals. By building coalitions with organizations and groups that advocate for human and civil rights, CDHR hopes to bring an end to these abuses. CDHR's basic principles are set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Committee for Defense of Human Rights is to oppose human rights abuses perpetrated by the government of the United States and law enforcement authorities. These abuses continue to be carried out in an effort to destroy progressive organizations and individuals. CDHR hopes to build coalitions with organizations and groups that advocate for human and civil rights. CDHR's basic principles are set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture.

Objective

The primary objective of CDHR is the full implementation of the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights are inalienable, universal and not subject to the discretion of governments or policy makers. CDHR believes there are universal principles encompassing human rights regardless of the political or social structures of governments. It is essential that universal human rights be made binding.

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights
P.O. Box 90221 Pasadena, CA 91109

(415) 226-1120
E-mail: freethesf8@riseup.net

WHEREAS, the Peace and Justice Commission advises the City Council on all matters relating to the City of Berkeley's role in issues of peace and social justice (Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 3.69.070); and

WHEREAS, Herman Bell, Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Henry (Hank) Jones, Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom), Richard O'Neal, Harold Taylor and Francisco Torres, collectively known as the San Francisco 8, are a group of community activists who have devoted their lives to serving the people and making a difference and are fathers, grandfathers, and even great grandfathers; and

WHEREAS, all of these men were members or associates of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, a primary target in the FBI's illegal COINTELPRO program, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, designed to destroy and disrupt a number of progressive organizations and individuals; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, three Black activists were tortured by New Orleans police and interrogated by two San Francisco detectives at intervals between the torture, which lasted several days, during which the three men were separated from each other, stripped naked, covered with wool blankets soaked in boiling water, beaten with slapjacks, suffocated with plastic bags tied over their heads, sleep deprived, kicked, beaten and shocked with electric cattle prods on their genitals, anus and under the neck; and

WHEREAS, statements resulting from that torture were used to bring charges in the mid-1970s in several jurisdictions (including charges for the 1971 killing of a San Francisco Police Officer), and all of them were dismissed when the judges learned of the coercion; and

WHEREAS, after 36 years, new charges were brought against the San Francisco 8 based on the "evidence" of the same confessions obtained under torture in 1973; and

WHEREAS, the people of Berkeley believe in justice and not in persecution.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Berkeley states publicly that evidence acquired under torture is abhorrent to civilized people, and not reliable, and urges the Attorney General to dismiss all charges against the San Francisco 8 where evidence has been gained by torture, and sends a letter to the Attorney General conveying this Resolution.

It is a reality of life and of revolution that liberation and change will come largely from the courage and work of young people. In the last 3 issues of 4struggle we've been having an ongoing debate about youth, culture, political prisoners, prisoners of consciousness, and revolution. A lot of thoughtful and insightful discussion has gone on so far. In this issue we continue the debate, including words on Tupac, written by his father, Dr. Mutulu Shakur, who is a political prisoner in Atlanta Penitentiary.

We encourage and welcome more feedback on everything said so far. While this began and continues with a focus on hip hop, we invite reggae, punk, reggaton and other music sets to contribute also.

COMMUNICATE TO EDUCATE -- EDUCATE TO LIBERATE Jaan Laaman, editor

Culture speaks to the very base of the people's awareness, and awareness creates a collaboration against aggression and oppression. At this point in history, the bottom line is that young people dominate the expression of rebellion and resistance in their struggle against the pain and toward mental, physical, and spiritual liberation.

The assassination of Tupac Amaru Shakur and Notorious Biggie Small is an indication that progressive rappers from the New African nation will be targets of COINTELPRO as long as they continue to effect the hearts and minds of our young souls. It's very important that the hip hop and funk jazzz dwellers understand the specific role CONINTELPRO played in our movement, and what effects that tactic will have on efforts to organize. COINTELPRO is a serious military strategy against an unconscious, divided civilian population. It's important to understand our enemy but never have fear. Our counterattack must be based on a historical analysis that captures the highs and lows of the historical struggle waged by sisters and brothers of the Black Liberation Movement.

There is no question of Tupac's impact on the hip hop generation and on the social political attitudes of many youth and the disposition of many street crews.

Whatever may be said about my son and a few others, there was never a loss for political analysis and social evaluation in his albums.

There was always a political discussion of his movement, the hiphop generation, and he continued to give explanations and descriptions as opposed to just glorification of the dynamic of the street reality. I have an obligation to speak of Tupac's influence as it concerns Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War. The Shakur family's continued struggle for liberation of our people has led to many of its members being Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War. For this reason, it was natural for Tupac to ally with the lockdown and demand that his peers support Sekou, Mumia, Geronimo, and others. It was also natural for him to understand the best character of street life and to struggle with the negative. That's why he and I push for "the code of the thug life."

The natural response to the void left by the struggle waged in the Black Liberation movement and other political movements is the emergence of an aggressive belligerent youth response to the oppressive social condition. Without political leadership, the focus of that aggression splintered.

The fact that many people of various ages and cultures have some understanding of the joy and pain of the present condition of oppressed people and awareness of Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War is because Tupac and rappers of the hip hop nation have established rap as the revolutionary culture.

We strongly believe that our future is in the hands of the young folks.

We have not forgotten as Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War why we were prepared to sacrifice.

Now is a very important period for the struggle. In order to lead, you must establish some guidelines and principles of unity and character, a character that comes from a revolutionary culture. Then when we say to the street crews and underworld dwellers to create a code and stand on it, we know it can help to bring the unity we need on an international level for our next generation.

It is your duty to free the Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War of our movement. You have to unravel the self-destruction and give voice to the pain caused by the combination of oppression and horizontal aggression, as Tupac did. If we do, we will change the condition of our people. We believe in the strength given us through the spirit of our ancestors and our martyrs who sacrificed for our future.

We give honor to Tupac Amaru Shakur.

All Power to rappers in the Hip Hop Nation who dare to Struggle.

Freedom which comes from struggle is the truest liberation.

Stiff resistance

Dr. Mutulu Shakur
83205-012
Box PMB
USP Atlanta, GA 30315

(In 1987 acupuncturist and community health care worker Mutulu Shakur was sentenced to 60 years by the federal government, for his role in the Black Liberation Movement. The government alleged 0,A, that he was a BLA (Black Liberation Army) commander who liberated Assata Shakur from a NJ prison, among other actions in behalf of Black people and the Freedom Struggle).

In the last two issues of 4strugglemag there have been extensive discussions on the state of hip hop and the direction it is heading. Me, myself is considered a component of this so-called hip hop generation. The question was posed and answered, what is hip hop? Brother Akili simply stated that hip hop is the peoples’ music, and rightfully so. Hip hop “was” the revolutionary vehicle employed to manifest the hellish conditions of the oppressed commune. It was an idea that was born from the womb of capitalist oppression.

Before I further indulge in this discussion of hip hop, let me pose a few more questions. What is hip hop doing today? And what is the future of hip hop? Who was behind hip hop when it was in its embryonic stage? And who is behind it now that it has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon?

We can’t deny the fact that ninety-nine percent of hip hop music is composed of un-revolutionary elements that are subliminally liquidating the minds of this generation. There’s a saying that you are what you eat – mentally and physically. The masses are less conscious now than they were in the sixties, seventies and mid-eighties. Hip hop here and now has been taken over and is being directed by the capitalist corporations, principally to dumb down those who are considered to be “the generation few.” In every generation there are always a select few that are mentally acute in apprehending the system and its functions, not only in a domestic, but also on a global level.

The rapper Nas stated that hip hop is dead. I wouldn’t go so far as to say hip hop is utterly dead. Hip hop is “virtually” dead upliftment-wise. Some may put up the un-winnable argument that hip hop in its present state has helped brothers and sisters come up out of the quagmire of society. That’s true. A rich man who is not conscious of the world he’s living in is no different from the dumb bum who just won the lottery. If you are a conscious rapper ninety-nine percent of the time the masses won’t know who you are. Why? Because the message of revolution entails change and transformation. The big capitalist music corporations who are the enforcers of capitalist ideals have diverted the music from its natural course. The natural course of hip hop is to enlighten the people and that’s why Brother Akili stated that it is the peoples’ music.

Hip hop has made its quantitative step, but has yet to make its qualitative evolution. Music is a force that motivates the mind to think (make motion) negatively or positively. The capitalist music industry knows this, that’s why any music that Pellucidly explains and exposes this parasitic system of capitalism is made. The capitalist used every ounce of his energy to counteract this revolutionary message with a barrage of unconscious music. So, instead of fighting the power, the vast majority of hip hop is in the promotion of promiscuity, shaking your booty, alcoholism, and sightlessness. Some rappers rapped about drinking nothing but bubbly and Moet. Others rapped about all the jewels they got around their necks, but not the jewels you should put in your head. This is the strategic agenda of these capitalist corporations. They’re promoting blind causes and fantastic irrationality. We must not remain oblivious to this deception and chicanery. We must architecturalize a means by which we can get the rappers to ameliorate the music with the supreme objective of combating illiteracy and the astronomical Cain complex (rivalry, competition, aggression, or destructive impulses directed against a brother) image that is rampant in the oppressed milieu.

In conclusion, let me pose a few questions to all you 4strugglemag readers:

What are we doing to improve the conditions of this oppressive biosphere that we’re living in? How can we here and now be a valuable component of this so-called hip hop generation? What is a hip hop generation?

In the name and spirit of Jonathan Jackson!

Saddiq Palmer, #W62664
P.O. Box 100
South Walpole, MA 02071

First, every generation is usually divided within itself and is usually at odds with the generations before and after it. For example, the revolutionaries of the 60s and 70s who joined the Revolutionary Movement (RM) have/had different agendas than the Civil Rights Movement (CRM). Are they both not part of the same generation? These two movements (RM and CRM) are never confused for each other although they were active simultaneously.

With that said, there is no rift between the HHG and the CRG. The rift is between ideologies, not generations. There are four main issues: first, most of the HHG identifies with the RM, not the CRM. Secondly, those from the CRM keep talking about passing the torch as if participation in the struggle has an age limit. Thirdly, the HHG has grown up hearing the CRM pat themselves on the back acting like they won something… [illegible]. Finally, the CRM constantly criticizes the HHG saying that we have no direction and that we are not involved in anything positive. How wrong they are.

For those who say that the HHG has no direction ask yourself, who left us directionless? Then ask who never informed us about the revolutionaries who really fought for us? Who insists they made progress while racism, classism, oppression and corruption are more rampant than ever? The HHG is not stupid; we know that the CRM chose to monkey down when things got thick because those who chose to guerrilla up were promptly tortured, assassinated, and/or forced to live in hiding. It is very obvious that the CRM does not want to admit that they were appeased and lost their marching-protest-nonviolent complaint.

As for the next issue, most people have no clue that the HHG is divided and has been so for quite some time. There are those into lyrics, spoken-word, and other aspects of Hip-hop Culture. They are Hip-hop Heads (Heads). Then there are those who basically like rap music, mainly gangsta-rap and club bangas. They are Rap Cats; they’re into the Rap Industry (RI). There is a big difference between the two philosophies.

Heads are into education and entertainment (edutainment). They seek to enlighten, perpetuate the culture, and balance rap music. While Rap Cats blow with the wind. Whatever is in fashion at the moment, they will push. They do not care about the message being pushed. So long as they make money. Rap Cats will perpetuate any stereotype. Rap Cats push pimp-drug-and-gangsta songs, while Heads are kept out of the media so that mainstream society has no clue that there is a real difference between Hip-Hop Culture and the RI. For example, rapper G Murder said in a song that he is “into hardcore gangsta-rap fuck Hip-Hop.” Yet, non-Heads do not notice statements like these.

Rap Cats have all of the connections with the media. They are heavily backed by corporations. When Hip-hop is blamed for something that the RI did, no Head is ever presented by the media to talk; it is always someone from the RI. The oppressors use capitalist rogues to blind youngsters, i.e. Russell Simmons is universally accepted as the godfather of Hip-hop when in reality he is the godfather of the RI. He and others teach youngsters how to dress, talk, and get rich in the RI. They have no real substance outside of making money and any revolutionary will tell you that’s the basis of all oppression.

We must realize that unlike jazz, rock, blues and old timey country, the oppressors cannot claim Hip-hop in any fashion so they did the next best thing. They used rogues to commercialize Hip-hop and keep its true message hidden. The RI is Hip-hop cancer; it ignores the fact that Hip-hop rose out of the ashes after the oppressors decided to expedite the inner city’s demise by assassinating all revolutionary-minded people. Hip-hop is/was the alternative to self-destruction that is kept ever-present in the cities, drugs, gangs and guns (learn about the meetings, held by Hip-hop legends, to end their gang wars and how Hip-hop legends Charlie Chase and Afrika Bambataa made peace at a party during Hip-hop’s infancy).

Now, to address Akili’s question. First we must make sure that as many people as possible know the game. Like Public Enemy says in “Fight the Power,” “People we are not the same because we didn’t know the game.” We have to challenge all of those who have grown up during the RI dynasty (1990-present) to take a stance and stop participating in their own oppression.

Explain to youngsters that S.E.C. and A.C.C. universities along with Notre Dame should not be supported in any fashion. Ole Miss uses Confederate Rebels as its mascots. Who does not know what Confederacy stands for? Kentucky basketball is played in Adolf Rupp Arena. Adolf Rupp hated Blacks. Alabama glorifies Paul Bryant, who only let Blacks play football after USCs running back (Anthony Davis) ran all over his team and he said that he had to get him one of those (a Black player). Like these S.E.C. schools, A.C.C. schools treat non-white athletes as commodities and use them to fill their trophy cases, while they continue to praise the Confederacy. Notre Dame is a Catholic school. Although America is blamed it was several popes who dehumanized Africans and erased Africans from history.

We have to simplify things; for example, ask if a Jew attend a university whose mascot is the Nazis and their stadium/arena is named after Adolf Hitler? The answer is no. So why should non-racists be any different? We should not.

Youngsters have to understand and we have to force the issue: so long as institutions praising racists and racist ideologies exist, said institutions are to be seen as the enemy. There can be no compromises. Stop buying their apparel, attending their games and accepting scholarship to schools like those in the S.E.C, A.C.C., and Notre Dame because they support racist entities throughout this country. We have to teach youngsters how to listen to what is being said. Baseball’s racist era is called its golden era. What’s being said there? How can so many people be offended by steroids but not racism? They continue to talk about how great Babe Ruth was, yet only steroids deserve an asterisk? It’s time to make it clear that this is not all right. Stop buying baseball apparel. The HHG has to end its fashion ties with America’s racist sports entities because all of these entities send one message… “there is nothing wrong with being racist.” The HHG can start by spreading the word and taking the actions mentioned above.

-Pelican Bay State Prison

A. Castlin (J-99402)
C11-220
PBSP
P.O. Box 7500
Crescent City CA
USA 95532

Everything that’s been said thus far is good! In fact there’s an abundance of sub-topics that we seriously need to get to soon like: acknowledging POCs/politicized prisoners, building a serious network for POW/POC/PP mobilization, tapping into the usefulness of street functions, and plucking out the “cancers” (frauds) in our Movement. Let’s return to this, but we’ll zone in on hip-hop for now.

I believe the most important thing that must take place first is our people/strugglers must realize that every generation has a trend that makes it unique/powerful. If this is neglected then the tool needed to build will be overlooked. In the early 1900s the Communist movement was a strong vibe; in the 60s and 70s the Black Power movement and the civil rights movements changed the tide; the hippie movement was very influential; in the 80s rock n’ roll created a buzz; and now hip-hop/rap is holding center stage.

The key is grasping a hold of the powerful trends. It’s about being strategic over what we personally like. This is exactly what V.I. Lenin explained about Marxism. It’s not important to worry about labels – just focus on the points! He said:

“Marxism demands an absolutely historical Examination of the question of the forms of struggle.

At different stages of economic evolution, depending on differences in political, national-cultural, living and other conditions, different forms of struggle come to the fore and become the principal forms of struggle; and in connection with this, the secondary, auxiliary forms of the struggle undergo change in their turn.

Marxism demands an attentive attitude to the mass struggle in progress, which, as the movement develops, as the class consciousness of the masses grows, as economic and political crises become acute, continually gives rise to new and more varied methods of defense and attack.” -V.I. Lenin, Collected Works, II

The bottom line of the above is this – no matter how much we carry Malcolm, Fidel, Pantherism, etc. in our hearts we must come to terms with what the vibe is and what is useful/powerful today.

Which leads us to hip-hop. Outside of religion I don’t think a more influential force exists. Show me one trend/culture that has taken people from the Americas, Europe, Asia (and places in between) by storm like this. Point being – we can now move beyond philosophizing about hip-hop’s impact. We know the influence it has on our youth, we see its economical power and recently with P. Diddy’s “Vote or Die” we saw its political potential. Here’s the game plan…

All of us who are conscious – on the inside and out – must begin to take an aggressive stance on artists. We can no longer look at hip-hop like a game, some young folk thing – it’s too powerful. This needs to be approached with the same intensity as Tubman with the underground railroad, the Panthers when they stormed the courthouse, King on the Selma March and so on.

As with any movement a vanguard needs to be built, and I have that blueprint.

In 2004 myself and three other death row comrades took a chance and reached out to a grassroots group of artists called the Welfare Poets (out of New York). In fighting the death penalty we knew we had to begin to touch the youth (who are obviously disenchanted by the many bougie-type groups out there) and also needed to tap into the areas and people most affected by the death penalty – the poor and people of color. What better way than through community activists, poets, musicians and rappers? It was a roll of the dice, but we hit a natural. The response was positive and in two months time the Welfare Poets were flying to Texas to participate in a march on the capitol. We haven’t looked back since.

After continual work and collaboration, in late 2006, the Welfare Poets dropped a compilation called “Cruel and Unusual Punishment: a hip-hop compilation to abolish the death penalty” which features a wide variety of serious and conscious artists such as Abiodun (of the Legendary Last Poets – NYC), (Ghana/NYC); Chosan (Sierra Leone/London/NYC); Jav'lin (Amsterdam); Truth Universal (New Orleans) and Wise Intelligent (of Poor Righteous Teachers - NJ), to name a few. See www.myspace.com/deathpenaltycd. This is a spark in the dry prairie we now see.

What must be done is this – we all have to get our supporters and fellow activists and revolutionary fighters together to start calling out all of these so-called conscious artists. Where are they? And what are they doing? They must be identified, reached out to and petitioned to get involved with the struggles ailing us – the death penalty, the prison industrial complex, and gang reform. And if they don’t get involved they must be exposed and picketed.

I’ve initiated this process with Ray Ramirez of the Welfare Poets. The concept is a Hip-Hop Guerilla Coalition of soldiers such as: Welfare Poets, Mario Africa and the AWOL crew, Dead Prez, RBG (Revolutionary But Gangsta) Family/People’s Army, Spearhead, the Coup, TKASH, Paris, KRENO, Muhammad 2G, and the Cruel and Unusual Punishment CD collective to take lead as the vanguard. It’d be a blessing to see one like Fred Hampton Jr. of POCC take lead chairing this coalition. The vision is to use the power of hip-hop through all four of its elements to organize, educate and mobilize for the above mentioned causes. We’ll start at the grassroots level and build upwards; then setting our sites on more mainstream conscious artists like Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, the Roots, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Nas, etc. It is these widely known artists that must be pursued in aggressive ways to get them involved – really involved – in the things they talk about. We need to stop feeling inconvenienced to do this.

Through this coalition we must focus strongly on two areas: Independent radio like Pacifica and Independent publications like AK press and AWOL magazine. We are disempowered because we cannot reach the masses. We have no major avenues or alternatives to offer.

If this coalition was to aggressively pursue an artist like Nas or Kanye West, what’s $50,000 to them? They got that on they neck! Jay-Z talks about the hood, so how about cutting a measly $25,000 to AWOL magazine or Pacifica Radio to push the cause! This is why we need square business soldiers in they face! I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.

Texas executes more people than any state. What if Rap-A-Lot threw a concert? That’s 10,000 youths EASY! Why are we letting our own (who use, exploit, and gain off of us) get off so easy?

The Welfare Poets’ CD is not the first of its kind. Political prisoners like Mumia (who commented on hip-hop in an earlier issue of 4strugglemag) has had CDs done about him, Marilyn Buck also. We need to consolidate these resources to carry out the above. We can then mobilize the masses, create a network for PP/POW/POCs, raise funds and media attention. If we can make this Hip-Hop Guerilla Coalition we can face off with the millionaires in the game like Russell Simmons, Rock-a-fella and Bad Boy and demand they do something. No is not an option. We need more Pacifica Radio stations opened, we need to demand that artists who bump about being a Guerilla Unit to purchase some Che/Lenin/George Jackson guerilla material and get it to the needed areas. These artists that talk about swanging, banging and slaning need to be doing that on execution nights – after all, some of these young folk come from the same hoods as some of these artists. And if they don’t step up to the plate we need to do the same things our elders did when fighting for change – picket ‘em, march on ‘em, talk about ‘em, sit in on ‘em, agitate ‘em, piss ‘em off, don’t buy from ‘em. If it ain’t a game we need to stop acting like it.

Here from Texas’ death row – as a nobody – I’ve taken the above steps with the Welfare Poets. These brothers are REAL. Brother Ray Ramirez has been inside these walls to visit me and fellow comrade Tony Ford, he’s seen my family and my attorney. This is real brotherhood and activism. Anything less should be vehemently rebuffed.

I have enclosed an abundance of articles, documents, photos and addresses to the 4struggle family to witness all I’ve said and also look into these things since they are acting as a facilitator for this dialog. I extend my hand in solidarity for this cause as it’s one that I’m living. I did music before coming to death row in 1997, so I know first hand how it influences, thus this is personal to me. It’s time for us to grasp this by the horns. The real is this – hip-hop is this generation’s revolution and it’s time for us revolutionaries to step up and make it be. I’m willing and ready as long as I have breath.

4 L.I.F.E.

Haramia Ki Nassor

Kenneth Foster Jr. #1451768
Mcconnell Unit
3001 South Emily Drive
Beeville, TX 78102

NOTE: In August, 4strugglemag readers and thousands of others participated in demonstrations, petitions and phone campaigns to halt the execution of Texas prisoner Kenneth “Haramia” Foster. Haramia, a contributor to 4strugglemag and inspirational anti-death penalty activist, was scheduled to be executed on August 30, despite the fact that he did not murder anyone. A mere six hours before he was to be killed, Governor Rick Perry commuted Haramia’s sentence to life in prison. This is a HUGE victory, and a sign that our work for social justice CAN bring about change. At the same time, the struggle is far from over. Visit www.freekenneth.com to learn more about his case and to read his excellent poetry and articles.

Kenneth was wrongly sent to death row in 1997 under a draconian Texas legal statute called the Law of Parties. Charged with 3 others (2 getting prison sentences), Kenneth was forced to go to trial with the admitted shooter. Though the admitted shooter plead to acting on his own and with no help or direction from the others they were convicted nonetheless (mainly due to extraneous offences). Both men were sentenced to death: Kenneth's death sentence mainly coming down to driving the car. Unfortunately, the shooter was executed July 19, 2006.

In 2005, Kenneth received a ray of hope when his Federal judge threw out his death sentence, but in October 2006 the 5th circuit vacated that judgment. All appeals from that point on were denied, until in May 2007 Kenneth received a date of execution for August 30, 2007. At this point an international grassroots campaign - led by the Campaign to End the Death Penalty and Kenneth's Family and Friends - was launched.

From May 30th - August 30th an intense public outcry was heard. Going down to the wire (Kenneth was taken to the death house at the Walls unit and came within 6 hours of his scheduled murder)

Governor Rick Perry commuted Kenneth's sentence to life after the Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended the same in a 6-1 vote. The ruling was unprecedented and the FIRST ever commutation done by Rick Perry.

It was an amazing victory for the Anti-Death Penalty Movement. T his commutation undeniably shows how the death penalty can be abused, and the hard truth is there have been other men under the law of parties who did not make it and perhaps should have. Kenneth was just one who fought day in and day out to be heard, he built a support base and refused to give up.

Though Kenneth is now in general population (he must serve a full 40 years before being eligible for parole) we, his supporters, do not consider the fight done. Kenneth still has legal options pending to challenge his sentence and we plan to pursue all of them. Though we, and many others across the world, feel that Kenneth (through his personal growth and activism for others) has paid his debt to society and should be released, we, at the very least, feel that since Texas felt it Justice to give one of his co-defendants 35 years for TWO capital murder cases then we feel that since Kenneth was only charged with one that he should get HALF of what his co-defendant got. If Texas said that was Justice for his co-defendant then it should apply equally for Kenneth. We wont stop until that happens.

This site remains as a platform for that fight and also to keep Kenneth's bright mind and voiceout to society. We hope that this plight will touch you as much as it has touched those close to him. Even in this partial victory we continue to pray for the LaHood family and the Brown family and all those affected by this tragedy. Our goal is to bring as many good and positive things out of this situation, to turn a tragedy into a triumph. It can be done and pray and work for it.

Thank you all for your time and support.