Demonstrations were held around the country Monday to protest against the impending execution of Shaka Sankofa (Gary Graham) in Texas. Shaka is scheduled to die Thursday, unless Gov. George W. Bush intervenes. Shaka’s supporters are demanding a new trial, which they say will prove he did not commit the crime for which he has been on death row for many years. Here is a report of the New York protest, and a note about another action in California, supplied by the International Action Center, which organized the demonstrations.
Jack A. Smith, Highland, NY ----------------- NEW YORK PROTEST AGAINST EXECUTION Of SHAKA SANKOFA
About 1000 militant demonstrators protested at the National Bush for President HQ at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York Monday June 19 demanding, “Stop the execution of Shaka Sankofa.” The crowd was multi-national, very militant, with many youth.
The demonstrators marched across 42nd Street where they got a positive response from many people who knew about Shaka Sankofa’s case. The group then marched to the State Republican HQ, chanting all the way. When police tried to stop protesters from going near the building at 40th St. and Lexington Ave., first 20 and then all of the demonstrators pushed through and set up a large picket line in front of the building.
Six protesters were arrested for alleged trespassing. Fifty people marched over to the 17th precinct where they were being held. They are expected to be in court Tuesday.
PALO ALTO PROTEST
Two hundred protested outside a $1,000 a plate Bush fundraiser in Palo Alto, Calif., Monday night to “demand a new trial for Shaka Sankofa” and “no execution.” Two IAC members disrupted the event and were escorted out of the building.