Eighteen people have been cleared by DNA in Dallas County after serving years in prison for crimes they didn't commit, but the story doesn't end at exoneration. They are released into a changed world, and it is a challenge to rebuild a life after so long. A CNN.com article and video explore the difficulty of life after exoneration, and profile Wiley Fountain, who was homeless and has now disappeared, and James Woodard, who was released last month and is working to rebuild his life.
Read complete article at cnn.com and watch video
Find out more about wrongly convicted at the homepage of the Innocence Project and about exonorated death row inmates at the homepage of Witness to Innocence
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Events in Texas
Tuesday May 20th in Austin 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sneak Preview of "At the Death House Door". Delia Perez Meyer, whose brother is on death row, is hosting the screening at her church. San Jose Catholic Church (South Austin off of Oltorf St.) 2435 Oak Crest Avenue CALL if you have questions: 512-302-6715
EVERYONE SUPPORTING THE WALK 4 LIFE/CAPITAL "X" PLEASE
KEEP THIS CALENDAR HANDY!
T-SHIRTS - WALK4LIFE 2008 SUPPORT BY ORDERING T-SHIRTS SEE RIGHT COLUMN or contact X or Katia at projectrevolution2010@gmail.com
MAY 25th. Last 16 miles.
Starting on FM-973/S Lexington St about 9am
Continue to follow FM-973 7.3 miles
Turn right at FM-969 W3.9 miles
Continue on E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd 3.9 miles (WHERE PEOPLE WILL MEET "X")
Turn left at I-35 N 0.6 miles
Turn right at E 11th St 0.6 miles
Turn left at Colorado St 328 feet Governor's Mansion. 16 miles 5 hours
Schedule
May 25th - Austin. people will gather to walk the last miles of the Walk to the Governor mansion. We will be joined by Shujaa Graham exonerated death row prisoner and Bill Pelke murder victim family member of The
Journey of Hope.
May 26th - Austin. protest in front of the State Capitol.
May 30th - Houston. "Tour" in schools and hip hop venues to speak with kids. Organized by Dave Atwood and his people. May 31st - Huntsville - Vigil in front of the Death House. Time will be around 2pm.
June 1st Live on KDOL Radio Livingston, Texas
WATCH for more updates on this blog soon
Including NEW Walk 4 Life with Capital "X"
The Texas State Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty will hold rallies, vigils and other events to publicize the Walk 4 Life - culminating in a protest outside the governor's mansion in Houston/coverage of executions.
The "Walk for Life" has received support from Amnesty International (also see Amnesty USA Blogs)for activism with a beat) and other abolitionist groups in the U.S. and Europe, including Senza Voce ("Voice of the Voiceless"), an Italian group that is co-planning the events in Texas.
"What Andre's doing is quite a feat," says Bill Pelke, co-founder of Journey of Hope, a national group that helps murder victims' families fight capital punishment. "It shows that people can change and do good things. I think he reaches an audience that isn't always reached by the movement."
Pelke, of Alaska, fought a well-publicized battle to get his grandmother's killer off death row in 1986. He joined Latallade for part of his walk near Washington, D.C. and will soon re-join the Walk in Dallas.
Latallade's walk -- he hopes to complete 35 miles a day over 54 days -- comes at a time when a record number of Americans are in prison. According to a study released by the Pew Center on the United States in February, more than one in 100 adults is now incarcerated, the highest number in U.S. history and a figure that tops every other nation in the world.
Walk the Line with Andre Latallade (La-tah-LAH-day)
EX-CON TAKES STEPS TO SAVE DEATH-ROW INMATES/REFORM PRISONS
(Condensed from Story By CARRIE STETLER)
After spending eight years of his life locked up, Andre Latallade still...feels paranoid in social situations...and too much sunlight makes him edgy...yet he won't let that stop him now...
"I want to show inmates on death row that I won't forget about them."
Andre, Capital X's Walk 4 Life began on March 31 in Trenton -- where, in December, New Jersey became the first state in four decades to abolish the death penalty -- and will finish in Huntsville, Texas, the state with the most executions.
Of more than 3,000 prisoners on death row, Texas executed 27 last year, more than 60 percent of the national total.
"I'm not always up on all the statistics," admits Latallade, "But I know what's immoral."
Latallade (he pronounces it La-tah-LAH-day) turned his life around six years ago, after doing time on drug and aggravated assault charges. Since, he has built a name for himself as an activist for prisoners' rights, affiliated with national and international groups that are fighting capital punishment.
For Latallade, death row is the last stop in a system that brutalizes inmates and makes rehabilitation nearly impossible..."You committed a crime, you get removed from society and you pay your debt," says Latallade. "But these are environments that just make people worse, and society pays for that... My purpose is to speak for human beings that are being treated like non-human beings."
RIKERS ISLAND BLUES
It's a process Latallade calls "prisonization." For him, it began when he was sent to Rikers Island after being arrested on a drug charge at 17, three years after he dropped out of school.
"That was the first time I saw a prisoner get killed. I hadn't even made up my bunk yet. These guys were arguing over the phone, one just started shanking the hell out of the other," he says.
Latallade witnessed scores of stabbings, beat-downs and rapes in jails and prisons in New York and New Jersey, he says.
The subtlest slight -- or perceived slight -- could trigger an attack, from failing to return a borrowed cigarette to holding eye contact for too long, a sign of disrespect. Guards also beat inmates, he claims.
For protection, Latallade, whose parents are Puerto Rican, joined the Latin Kings gang. He learned why prison gangs inspire such loyalty. "You have guys telling you you're a king when you're used to people telling you you're nothing--If that's all you hear all day it can destroy you."
His tattoos also tell a story. On his left bicep is an illustration of the gurney on which prisoners are strapped for lethal injections. The word "Freedom" is written across his upper chest. His prison number, 305375, is tattooed on his shoulder blades. It's also the name of the nonprofit corporation he founded to fight the death penalty.
His tattoos also tell a story. On his left bicep is an illustration of the gurney on which prisoners are strapped for lethal injections. The word "Freedom" is written across his upper chest. His prison number, 305375, is tattooed on his shoulder blades. It's also the name of the nonprofit corporation he founded to fight the death penalty.
BECOMING X
Latallade was born in Brooklyn but spent most of his childhood in Morris County. In fourth grade, his family moved to Mine Hill, where he was the only Puerto Rican kid in town. Classmates threw rocks at him and called him "spic," he says. He went on to write a song called "The Spic in Black," a play on the famous Cash tune.
"I didn't even know what the word meant, but I knew it was bad," Latallade remembers. With the song, he says, he was trying to transform a slur into a badge of honor.
In his teens, he developed a PCP addiction and was dealing drugs when his criminal record began. It ended when he sought treatment for substance abuse. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and Meniere's Disease -- an inner-ear condition that has eroded his hearing and triggers episodes of vertigo. (So if he doesn't answer this is a clue)
In Mine Hill, his parents worked hard to make a new life for themselves and were at a loss to help him adjust, he says. One person he could turn to was his older sister, Mary.
"She was my anchor not to jump over the edge," he says. "When I was in high school, she kept handing me self-help books, like M. Scott Peck's "The Road Less Traveled," telling me to read these books. I was one of the only cats on the street doing illegal activity, but with a book in my hand."
Mary (his sister)was a college graduate who gave him "tough love" when he kept landing in prison, he says. Now a stay-at-home mom in North Carolina who processes disability claims for the state, she let him know (then) that, until he changed, she couldn't help him.
But the biggest incentive to stay out of jail was his daughter, Sheana, now 18. Latallade's marriage to an exotic dancer in the early 1990s ended after several years, but he formed a close bond with his daughter, whom he raised as a single father in Budd Lake for several years after his ex-wife moved to Texas.
"When I got custody, I told her, 'I'm not pushing you to be an adult, but we're going to be a team.' It was tough, but I learned a lot and so did she. I learned how to be patient and flexible."
His daughter, who now lives with her mother in Texas, will join him on the walk, too.
EX-CON AND ACTIVIST
After his release from prison in 2001, Latallade got a degree in sound technology from the County College of Morris and was about to start an internship for a major music label, but his prison record prevented him from being hired, he says.
That's when he began speaking out against the prison system and started corresponding with inmates on death row.
His stalled rap career picked up after he began writing about his beliefs. He got a slot on the Warped Tour in 2004, which led to gigs in Italy and other European countries, sponsored by Senza Voce.
"His mission is to bring the truth to light," says his manager, Timothy Kostenko, a rapper and financial advisor with Morgan Stanley whose stage name is "Tim Grins."
Kostenko, who grew up in the Sussex County town of Vernon and now lives in Annapolis, Md., is funding Latallade's walk, despite the fact that he's uncertain about the death penalty. "Sometimes I look at (a murderer) who might have killed four people (say) three cops, and I think, 'Why should (that) person be allowed to live?,'" he says.
But he believes in Latallade.
"What he's doing is important. I've seen kids who are the result of three, four generations of poverty. He's an example to them that, listen, you don't have to choose this route. I can see it in his eyes that he's on a mission. I've told him, 'Why don't you convince me?'"
Find a fuller copy of this story here with photos by SAED HINDASH (please comment)
Prevention through Steps to Recovery
WE ARE ABOUT PREVENTION AND ALTERNATIVES TO EXECUTION
Perhaps some who come here would like to look up the radio program about to be aired Monday Evening May 19 2008 6-7 PM on npr.org radio or find your local station on http://speakingoffaith.org . Or find archived with option for free podcast: Speaking of Faith "THE SPIRITUALITY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY" is the newest program. Of course, the problems are often deeper than can be articulated or understood. Healing and forgiveness is part of the battle. Yet there is much more required for many.
ALCOHOL IS ADDICTIVE although the rate at which people become addicted can vary greatly. Some people lose control over their drinking very soon after getting started. Others become dependent only gradually - sometimes so gradually that they don't realize it's happening. The factors that cause addiction are not completely understood.
You may also want to look up a book -DYING FOR A DRINK- by Barbara Thompson with Andy Spickard, MD. Barbara is a friend of mine. Let us know what has helped you or a loved one. Who knows, others may be helped and prevented from wrecking their lives or relationships.
Also notice the site listed in JOH column to right -PREVENTION NOT PUNISHMENT - for related resources. And don't forget to comment and/or tell us your own story:
newlease7@yahoo.com
Perhaps some who come here would like to look up the radio program about to be aired Monday Evening May 19 2008 6-7 PM on npr.org radio or find your local station on http://speakingoffaith.org . Or find archived with option for free podcast: Speaking of Faith "THE SPIRITUALITY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY" is the newest program. Of course, the problems are often deeper than can be articulated or understood. Healing and forgiveness is part of the battle. Yet there is much more required for many.
ALCOHOL IS ADDICTIVE although the rate at which people become addicted can vary greatly. Some people lose control over their drinking very soon after getting started. Others become dependent only gradually - sometimes so gradually that they don't realize it's happening. The factors that cause addiction are not completely understood.
You may also want to look up a book -DYING FOR A DRINK- by Barbara Thompson with Andy Spickard, MD. Barbara is a friend of mine. Let us know what has helped you or a loved one. Who knows, others may be helped and prevented from wrecking their lives or relationships.
Also notice the site listed in JOH column to right -PREVENTION NOT PUNISHMENT - for related resources. And don't forget to comment and/or tell us your own story:
newlease7@yahoo.com
Carroll Pickett At Death's Door
"At Death's Door" ( a film which documents Pastor Carroll Pickett's work as minister with Texas inmates just before their executions ) premieres on Independent Film Channel (IFC) on May 29th" Terry Gross interviewed Pickett on Fresh Air, an npr.org radio program, today. Be sure to see the reminder about a showing in Texas.
For more on Carroll Pickett's beginning in Huntsville with the hostage crisis in 1974 in Chapter 7 "The Death House" from -Living Next Door to the Death House- by Virginia Stem Owens and David Clinton Owens 2003. Then he was in favor of the death penalty. Part of that was because of the siege. "Two of the hostages were members of my surge and both women were killed," Pickett said, "One of the most horrible scenes I'd ever seen in my life...I was getting ready to do one of their daughter's wedding."
Later, Pickett had to minister to the hostage-taker of that siege just before his execution. "He talked and talked and talked....(finally) he confessed he was guilty...I believed him. That was between 11:30 and midnight--I believed him. But then on the table he said 'I am innocent'." Despite situations like this, it was when Pickett talked with his victims' family that he began to see that Texas executions weren't what they were cracked up to be. The victims' family said, "This didn't bring us closure." Pickett said they didn't want him executed. This had quite an impact on the Pastor.
"Many were mentally retarded." Pickett told Terry Gross on Fresh Air today, about the executed. The great majority were either hispanic or black. We only executed one who had a college degree. The average was only up to the 9th grade. But, he said, "They were people."MOST OF THE MEN WERE HIGH ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL WHEN THEY COMMITTED THEIR CRIMES," Pastor Pickett said, in Terry Gross interview today. Pickett says he's NOT convinced there is no pain with an execution. He heard signs of pain during executions--often happening more when the inmate would fight with the procedure. "Most of them wanted physical contact--wanted me to hold their hand but I couldn't" he said, "but I never lost contact with them, none of them."
"IT'S BURNING" he would sometimes hear. "A LOT OF THEM WOULD NOT GO COMPLETELY TO SLEEP WITH THE FIRST DRUG...SOMETIMES THE NOISES WERE NOT JUST AIR BUT PAIN." Pickett kept emphasizing to Terry how important it was that the one to be executed not fight.
Pickett would practice the men's last words with them and got the execution held up until they were ready. One's last words were a song and wanted to be executed just at certain words in the song. There was no way this could be promised but it happened.
Terry Gross ends her interview asking Pastor Pickett: How are you going to face your own death? He answers, "I had a heart attack right after I quit (this work)," Pickett described complications and further heart problems. "I actually died twice", Pickett said, "I'm not afraid to die...I led (these men their) last eight steps and many were not afraid to die.
Pickett: Not on the judgement committee
Chaplain Carroll Pickett discusses 'Death House' Ministry on Fresh Air with Terry Grove 3 PM EST Check your own NPR.org station for Fresh Air with Terry Grove or check back to listen on line. No one had heard of lethel injection until Pickett began his work...
"I NEVER FELT I WAS ON THE JUDGEMENT COMMITTEE"
Taped his experiences after each execution. "Every one was different..."Can I have five more minutes for you to save me?" one fellow asked. Terry Gross asks how did you handle that? Pickett says that One guy wants to memorize the twenty-third psalm. Reverend Carroll Pickett was the death-house chaplain at the Walls prison unit in Huntsville, Texas for 13 years. During his tenure, he ministered to 95 inmates executed by lethal injection. He is the subject of a new documentary--find more on this blog...
"I NEVER FELT I WAS ON THE JUDGEMENT COMMITTEE"
Taped his experiences after each execution. "Every one was different..."Can I have five more minutes for you to save me?" one fellow asked. Terry Gross asks how did you handle that? Pickett says that One guy wants to memorize the twenty-third psalm. Reverend Carroll Pickett was the death-house chaplain at the Walls prison unit in Huntsville, Texas for 13 years. During his tenure, he ministered to 95 inmates executed by lethal injection. He is the subject of a new documentary--find more on this blog...
"At the Death House Door" Reminder
See Huntsville and the state killing machinery through the eyes of a man who presided over 95 executions. ( See more on this film in JOH archives and watch for Terry Gross upcoming interview today in some states and archives later on Fresh Air Radio-NPR.org )
TOMORROW/Tuesday May 20th in Austin 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
We would like to invite anyone in the Austin area to a special, free sneak preview of "At the Death House Door". Delia Perez Meyer, whose brother is on death row, is hosting the screening at her church. San Jose Catholic Church (South Austin off of Oltorf St.) 2435 Oak Crest Avenue CALL if you have questions: 512-302-6715
TOMORROW/Tuesday May 20th in Austin 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
We would like to invite anyone in the Austin area to a special, free sneak preview of "At the Death House Door". Delia Perez Meyer, whose brother is on death row, is hosting the screening at her church. San Jose Catholic Church (South Austin off of Oltorf St.) 2435 Oak Crest Avenue CALL if you have questions: 512-302-6715
"Like a Neon Light of Faith" "X" Reflects on Walk
From Capital "X" who recently reflected on some days in South Carolina
A lot of young men who's lives have been very difficult being abandoned or abused. They are in this cold world at times alone, scarred to death deep down inside...So believe me I at times am probably more nervous than those that are coming to meet me or having me stay at there homes. What has gotten me passed this, is faith. When Shelly and Ginny pulled up to me I quickly realized I was not in any danger. They jumped out of the car and greeted me like a family member they hadn't seen in years. They instantly touched my heart offering me a drink, food or whatever I needed. Like a neon sign my thoughts were telling me to listen to them closely.
READ MORE here...
http://capitalxwalk4life.blogspot.com
Find Shelly's Account of this time: April 23 in Archives of this blog...
A lot of young men who's lives have been very difficult being abandoned or abused. They are in this cold world at times alone, scarred to death deep down inside...So believe me I at times am probably more nervous than those that are coming to meet me or having me stay at there homes. What has gotten me passed this, is faith. When Shelly and Ginny pulled up to me I quickly realized I was not in any danger. They jumped out of the car and greeted me like a family member they hadn't seen in years. They instantly touched my heart offering me a drink, food or whatever I needed. Like a neon sign my thoughts were telling me to listen to them closely.
READ MORE here...
http://capitalxwalk4life.blogspot.com
Find Shelly's Account of this time: April 23 in Archives of this blog...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tell me in person....
May 12, 1993 - Last statement
I am innocent, innocent, innocent. Make no mistake about this; I owe society nothing. Continue the struggle for human rights, helping those who are innocent, especially Mr. Graham. I am an innocent man, and something very wrong is taking place tonight. May God bless you all. I am ready.
Victim Impact Statements
by Sina A. Vogt
The goal behind punishment is to allow the defendant to be rehabilitated, discourage other perpetrators, and make society safer. Punishments should provide justice for the victims and make the defendant atone for his crimes in order to offer his/her (surviving) victims closure and allow them to heal.
The focus of this article is on examining how the understanding of punishment has changed over the last few decades and what changed roles the relatives of murder victims play in capital murder trials. This article’s central object of investigation is the victim impact statement, which provides the relatives of a murder victim with an opportunity to address the court prior to sentencing after a guilty verdict has been reached in the United States. The legal history of victim impact statements will be examined and embedded in the context of how punishments are viewed by society. During this process, I will also refer to how punishments are viewed in Germany. The article will look at the various attitudes of the relatives of murder victims about the death penalty and its impact on trials and understanding of punishment and briefly describe the role of the jury and the effects of the victim impact statements on their decision.
In the United States, the district attorney almost always calls the members of victim’s family to the stand as witnesses in capital cases – even if they have nothing to say about the facts of the case. For example, many family members of the victims were called as witnesses in the case against Timothy McVeigh, who was responsible for blowing up a government building in Oklahoma City in April 1995 – an attack in which 168 people were killed. Glenn A. Seidl testified about the death of his wife, who had worked in the building, and how difficult it was for him to deal with the grief of his nine-year-old son, who constantly asks about his mother and misses her terribly. Seidl also read a letter from his son in court that stated "I miss my Mom, we used to go for walks. She would read to me. We would go to Wal-Mart… Sometimes at school around the holidays I will still make my Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day cards like the other kids.“ (Sarat, p. 9). Glenn A. Seidl was only the last of the 26 family members of those who were killed to be called as witnesses by the prosecution, in addition to three injured survivors and eight rescue or medical workers. The prosecution’s goal was to urge the jurors to not think of what happened as just mass murder: "There are 168 people, all unique, all individual…. All had families, all had friends, and they’re different.“ (Sarat, p. 8).
Read rest of the article here
The goal behind punishment is to allow the defendant to be rehabilitated, discourage other perpetrators, and make society safer. Punishments should provide justice for the victims and make the defendant atone for his crimes in order to offer his/her (surviving) victims closure and allow them to heal.
The focus of this article is on examining how the understanding of punishment has changed over the last few decades and what changed roles the relatives of murder victims play in capital murder trials. This article’s central object of investigation is the victim impact statement, which provides the relatives of a murder victim with an opportunity to address the court prior to sentencing after a guilty verdict has been reached in the United States. The legal history of victim impact statements will be examined and embedded in the context of how punishments are viewed by society. During this process, I will also refer to how punishments are viewed in Germany. The article will look at the various attitudes of the relatives of murder victims about the death penalty and its impact on trials and understanding of punishment and briefly describe the role of the jury and the effects of the victim impact statements on their decision.
In the United States, the district attorney almost always calls the members of victim’s family to the stand as witnesses in capital cases – even if they have nothing to say about the facts of the case. For example, many family members of the victims were called as witnesses in the case against Timothy McVeigh, who was responsible for blowing up a government building in Oklahoma City in April 1995 – an attack in which 168 people were killed. Glenn A. Seidl testified about the death of his wife, who had worked in the building, and how difficult it was for him to deal with the grief of his nine-year-old son, who constantly asks about his mother and misses her terribly. Seidl also read a letter from his son in court that stated "I miss my Mom, we used to go for walks. She would read to me. We would go to Wal-Mart… Sometimes at school around the holidays I will still make my Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day cards like the other kids.“ (Sarat, p. 9). Glenn A. Seidl was only the last of the 26 family members of those who were killed to be called as witnesses by the prosecution, in addition to three injured survivors and eight rescue or medical workers. The prosecution’s goal was to urge the jurors to not think of what happened as just mass murder: "There are 168 people, all unique, all individual…. All had families, all had friends, and they’re different.“ (Sarat, p. 8).
Read rest of the article here
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Mississippi Mess
Earl Wesley Berry is scheduled to be executed May 21 for the murder of Mary Bounds. Whatever the alleged benefits of the death penalty are in theory, several aspects of this case demonstrate what an ugly sordid mess it is in practice.
One of the problems in Earl Wesley Berry's case is that he may be mentally retarded. Or not. We'll probably never know. After the US Supreme Court decided in Atkins v. Virginia, 2002, that people with mental retardation could not be executed, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that any inmate with an IQ below 75 could have an evidentiary hearing. But despite meeting the criteria, Earl Wesley Berry was denied such a hearing because one of his lawyers failed to file an affidavit on time. With capital punishment in this country, life and death often hinge on such technicalities.
Last year, just before Halloween, Berry's execution was stayed by the US Supreme Court because of the pending Baze lethal injection case. The stay was granted with only 18 minutes to spare. I wrote then about how this process tormented the families involved. Earlier this month, Mary Bounds' daughter Jena Watson reflected on that last minute stay: "It hit us like a brick in October. We didn't expect it to hit us so hard. It was like she'd died all over again."
The death penalty and the years spent waiting for an execution have kept this family focused on the killer, the crime, and the traumatic death of their loved one, while a life sentence would have allowed them to begin healing years earlier.
And last month, when the US Supreme Court ruled in Baze on April 16 that lethal injection could be constitutional and effectively lifted the national moratorium on executions, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood acted swiftly, calling on the Mississippi Supreme Court to set Berry's execution date for May 5. May 5 just happened to be Berry's 49th birthday.
Was this a coincidence, or a shameless political stunt?
If the latter, it would be just another example of the way the death penalty, and especially the dramatic spectacle of executions, politicizes criminal justice, which is supposed to be about diligently seeking truth, not a forum for creepy (and probably ineffective) political pandering. For what it's worth, the Mississippi court didn't accept AG Hood's suggestion, and set the date for May 21. No hearing has been held on Berry's claims of mental retardation.
You can take action to stop the execution here.
Brian
DPAC
Friday, May 16, 2008
Did you already....
.... sign into your calender to attend the Innocence Matters: Rally for Troy Davis, tomorrow, May 17, 2008, 10am-12pm, Georgia Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, (front steps facing Washington St.) Emcee: Warren Ballentine; Lead organizers: Amnesty International and NAACP?
.... sign the petition for Troy Davis?
.... sign the petition for Greg Wright?
Remember: Every signature counts! Every person attending a demontration and therefore showing his concern and support is one important voice more joining the chorus for humanity and justice! YOU could be the one who finally makes the difference!
.... sign the petition for Troy Davis?
.... sign the petition for Greg Wright?
Remember: Every signature counts! Every person attending a demontration and therefore showing his concern and support is one important voice more joining the chorus for humanity and justice! YOU could be the one who finally makes the difference!
"I saw victims on both ends of the gun...."
The amazing "TKF Story" began in San Diego, California on the tragic evening of January 21, 1995 when 20-year-old San Diego State University (SDSU) student Tariq Khamisa was shot and killed while delivering pizzas by a 14-year-old gang recruit. His assailant, Tony Hicks, fired the fatal bullet on orders from an 18-year-old gang leader.
The immediate response of Azim Khamisa, upon learning of his son's murder, was not the usual one of demanding revenge and retribution. Instead, he saw two of America's sons lost - one forever and one to the state prison system:
"From the onset, I saw victims on both ends of the gun. I will mourn Tariq's death for the rest of my life. Now, however, my grief has been transformed into a powerful commitment to change. Change is urgently needed in a society where children kill children."
To honor his son Tariq's life and find meaning in his death, Azim established the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) in October 1995. Remarkably, Azim Khamisa, an international businessman, reached out in forgiveness to Ples Felix, the grandfather and guardian of Tony Hicks, his son's assailant. Ples, a manager for the City of San Diego, joined with Azim in dedicating their lives to ending the plague of youth violence in our country. Together, Azim and Ples have spoken to tens of thousands of school children through TKF's Violence Impact Forum (VIF) program about the "power of forgiveness" to break the cycle of violence.Read also:
http://www.themysteryoflove.org/love_and_friendship.php
http://www.visionmagazine.com/archives/0803/mind_states_forgiveness.html and
http://www.azimkhamisa.com/index.html
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A short update from Dave Atwood, TX
Hi Connie,We have been busy in Houston as you might expect. Earlier in the year we were active with an ad hoc coalition to promote the early retirement of Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal. He and his predecessor Johnny Holmes have been responsible for the high number of death sentences coming from Harris County . We are hoping for a sea-change in Harris County politics in the upcoming election, similar to what they recently experienced in Dallas.
On May 3, the Houston Chapter of the TCADP participated in the NAMI Walk here. NAMI stands for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. We carried a big banner that said, "MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOT A CRIME". We were warmly received by the other marchers and raised over $1000 for NAMI.
On May 9, we had the Houston premier of the movie "At the Death House Door".
The filmmakers Steve James and Peter Gilbert, as well as Rev. Carroll Pickett and Professor David Dow held a panel discussion after the film. It was a great evening.
Right now we are planning on hosting Capital "X" in Houston on May 30 and 31. On May 30 there will be a "Salute to Capital "X" at a local establishment and on May 31 we plan to have a program in front of the Walls Unit in Huntsville.
Best wishes and love to you and the rest of the JOH crew.
Dave Atwood
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Capital "X" with Carolina Activist Connie
Capital "X" with Connie L Nash who's one of the bloggers here. I hope this photo expresses some of the great JOY (she) felt being with "X" for a few energizing days when my faith blossomed anew!
Mini-Profile on Connie Nash
Since I haven't yet offered my profile as has Susanne below (here on this blog) here's a short one: I, Connie, distribute human right information to a number of media and activist sources. I try to act on some of them as well. I am a strong abolition against the death penalty, a pacifist who believes in the "seamless web of non-violence", yet I also call for much better choices for women and others in severe poverty. I am a peace activist, a free-lance writer and am part of The Journey of Hope family. I have a marvelously-gifted physician husband and we have four amazingly unique grown children. I am most grateful to be working on this blog and to be making more visible the many stories and movements which seek alternatives to revenge. More another day.
Capital "X" United We Call for Solutions "Walk" updates
NOTICE NOW YOU CAN ADD COMMENTS & UPDATES FREELY BELOW EACH BLOG, THANKS TO SUSANNE (see her profile just below) USE IT TO MEET UP IN TEXAS TOO! Let folk know if U have a place to stay, a bite to eat who may be coming from a long way to join the WALK.
"X" is a MOTIVATOR...WAIT UNTIL YOU MEET HIM! More than most he lives in the moment.
( Capital "X" ) says "Separated we call for life or death, I say we unite and call for solutions." He asks that life without parole be called for rather than the death sentence and constantly addresses the need for vast improvements in US prisons. He also calls for incentives and options for the many who are behind bars due to our flawed justice system and those who's record shows they have rehabilitated selves and would do plenty of good in other capacities. He comforts the comfort-less and speaks up for the voiceless--those who've had a loved one executed, those who's loved one awaits a state killing and many others as well. (I told him I want to write him into a piece of fiction. It's because he captures for our time and with up-to-date flavor a way to bridge the gaps of age, race, cultures and sub-cultures and stay REAL.)
Bill says he's the "real deal" yet by "X"'s own description of himself has a long way to go on himself and his activist and artistic goals.
There is a palpable yet invisible joy and faith about this man who has for years seen war in the inner cities and severe abuse in New York prisons. By his own admission, "X" has struggled with his own inner wars and demons and rehabilitated himself with the Creator's help. He says he's still got a long way to go--but then who among us is perfect? And we can't let our rough edges keep us from joining the WALK of life for Change. Right?
Although "X" s speaks daily of unspeakable suffering and is not afraid to meet it close up-- there is a subtle cheer with lilt when he walks and talks to audiences because he knows he's a part of real, long-needed change. "We gotta get rid of all the killing" he says often, "So let's start with this little part of it: the death penalty. Let's get rid of that." He doesn't think he's much of a speaker--but you gotta hear him. NOT TRUE.
If you're in Texas, hey, I know it's a gigantic state, but keep the faith and try to catch up with "X", OUR BILL, Dave Atwood and the others and be a part of this massive movement for change. In fact let's ALL be the change we want to see in the world. Thanks for the inspiration and thanks "X" for BEING that change!!! from Connie (one of the bloggers here).
PS Mr. Pelke is soon to join "X" in Texas. So expect more "X" and "Walk" stories from our Bill--beloved friend and founder coming up right here. Please mark this site as a favorite. Also, see column on right and please DONATE to help Bill with the gas and food needs for this trip and for JOH in general. And don't forget to order your T-SHIRT--a nice souvenir of this WALK 4 LIFE on "X" site just under JOH site which is marked by "here"--click on that. Order T's while they last and perhaps throw in a few more dollars so "X" can eat some fried chicken which he loves. Scroll down & go to March Archives here to see much more on this Walk including videos, photos and news coverage and some items from Bill and Abe.
Here are just a few more places to go to learn more and to catch up with the action around Texas and the Walk 4 Life...
This one from INDY MEDIA will lead you to several more places...and features a photo we printed first here on our JOH blog--X with an inmate mom several of us including X stayed with when he did a radio show. (She's in front of my own red van!) Also hear the radio interview you can find...and get up to the present almost with X...
http://indymedia.us/en/index.shtml
Hear this new video featured on one of "X"'s own sites.
http://onloq.com/members/angelic_joy/
"X" is a MOTIVATOR...WAIT UNTIL YOU MEET HIM! More than most he lives in the moment.
( Capital "X" ) says "Separated we call for life or death, I say we unite and call for solutions." He asks that life without parole be called for rather than the death sentence and constantly addresses the need for vast improvements in US prisons. He also calls for incentives and options for the many who are behind bars due to our flawed justice system and those who's record shows they have rehabilitated selves and would do plenty of good in other capacities. He comforts the comfort-less and speaks up for the voiceless--those who've had a loved one executed, those who's loved one awaits a state killing and many others as well. (I told him I want to write him into a piece of fiction. It's because he captures for our time and with up-to-date flavor a way to bridge the gaps of age, race, cultures and sub-cultures and stay REAL.)
Bill says he's the "real deal" yet by "X"'s own description of himself has a long way to go on himself and his activist and artistic goals.
There is a palpable yet invisible joy and faith about this man who has for years seen war in the inner cities and severe abuse in New York prisons. By his own admission, "X" has struggled with his own inner wars and demons and rehabilitated himself with the Creator's help. He says he's still got a long way to go--but then who among us is perfect? And we can't let our rough edges keep us from joining the WALK of life for Change. Right?
Although "X" s speaks daily of unspeakable suffering and is not afraid to meet it close up-- there is a subtle cheer with lilt when he walks and talks to audiences because he knows he's a part of real, long-needed change. "We gotta get rid of all the killing" he says often, "So let's start with this little part of it: the death penalty. Let's get rid of that." He doesn't think he's much of a speaker--but you gotta hear him. NOT TRUE.
If you're in Texas, hey, I know it's a gigantic state, but keep the faith and try to catch up with "X", OUR BILL, Dave Atwood and the others and be a part of this massive movement for change. In fact let's ALL be the change we want to see in the world. Thanks for the inspiration and thanks "X" for BEING that change!!! from Connie (one of the bloggers here).
PS Mr. Pelke is soon to join "X" in Texas. So expect more "X" and "Walk" stories from our Bill--beloved friend and founder coming up right here. Please mark this site as a favorite. Also, see column on right and please DONATE to help Bill with the gas and food needs for this trip and for JOH in general. And don't forget to order your T-SHIRT--a nice souvenir of this WALK 4 LIFE on "X" site just under JOH site which is marked by "here"--click on that. Order T's while they last and perhaps throw in a few more dollars so "X" can eat some fried chicken which he loves. Scroll down & go to March Archives here to see much more on this Walk including videos, photos and news coverage and some items from Bill and Abe.
Here are just a few more places to go to learn more and to catch up with the action around Texas and the Walk 4 Life...
This one from INDY MEDIA will lead you to several more places...and features a photo we printed first here on our JOH blog--X with an inmate mom several of us including X stayed with when he did a radio show. (She's in front of my own red van!) Also hear the radio interview you can find...and get up to the present almost with X...
http://indymedia.us/en/index.shtml
Hear this new video featured on one of "X"'s own sites.
http://onloq.com/members/angelic_joy/
Note on our new blogger: Susanne Cardona
Susanne and I met happily and roomed together at the San Jose January 2008 NCADP Conference. Right away we related on many levels although from two different countries. More importantly, she's the organized one yet still we blend and she doesn't scold me when I get overly-enthusiastic or my brain short-circuits--she just simply "suggests" and is usually right! Recently, with my husband in serious surgery and other family needs--she's pretty much run this blog. And we often see different stories and sites. So this working relationship here on this blog only further adds joy to our friendship across the miles and seas. As far as the blog goes, well see for yourself day-by-day and week-by-week how this blog is improving. THANKS so much Susanne for helping us through some busy times to make this JOH blog just what we've been hoping it would become! Bill Pelke's pleased as well. How good it feels to come back to one's usual work and have everything in such good order. WELCOME SUSANNE!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A brief introduction
Connie has nagged me (incessantly!) to provide a profile and I finally succumbed! ;-)So who am I?
In a nutshell:
I am Susanne Cardona.
43 years old and single with two (almost – and eagerly anticipated) adult kids.
I am a German engineer specialising in hydraulics and working in my own business.
I chair the German Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and am state coordinator for Oklahoma for Alive (another German organisation working against the death penalty).
I have penfriends on death row in OK, TX and FL and I try to travel to visit them as regularly as possible.
Although I'm doing my best, since English is my second language, I can't always guarantee to use perfect English - so please bear with me if I make mistakes.
I hope this provides a sketch of me. I am happy to answer any further questions.
Best,
Susanne
"X" reports on Greg Wright who needs our help
Video:Capital-"X" Reports from the Frontlines. DNA and polygraph test prove the innocence of Texas death row prisoners Greg Wright, yet he sits on death row still with an execution date. Immediate action is being called for internationally.
Watch video here
Please click to find more informaiton about Greg Wright
Click here to sign petition
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