"My feet are tender, I heal them by night..." X

X early on the Walk 4 Life with a "Very Spiritual" Walking Stick

Published: Apr 21, 2008 05:47 PM

Hip-hop activist protests at Central Prison By David Ranii,Staff Writer

RALEIGH — A hip hop artist and activist who is walking from New Jersey to Texas to protest the death penalty joined protesters outside Central Prison today.
Andre Latallade, who goes by the name Capital X, joined a group that gathers each Monday at 5 p.m. outside Central Prison on Western Boulevard to demonstrate against the death penalty and pray for murder victims, their families and those who are on death row, said local organizer Scott Bass. Afterward, the eight demonstrators and Capital X planned to continue their protest by walking from Central Prison to the governor's mansion.

Capital X, who says he is probably better known for his activism than his music, embarked on his 1,700-mile trek March 31st. Raleigh wasn't originally on his itinerary but he said he changed his route in order to see his mother and sister, Maria Burgos and Mary Ann Bryson, who live in Willow Spring — and in response to calls and e-mails from local supporters.

Capital X, who was born in Brooklyn and now lives in Newark, N.J., calls himself a "raptivist" — a rapper whose lyrics reflect his social activism. He is working on his first CD.

Since starting his protest march in Trenton, N.J., Capital X said he has walked a minimum of 10 hours a day.

"My feet are tender," he said. "I heal them by night and then beat them up by day."

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