[Ppnews] Shaka Sankofa: Wounds unhealed

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National News
Shaka Sankofa: Wounds unhealed
By Jesse Muhammad
Staff Writer
Updated Jul 14, 2005, 09:16 am
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_2099.shtml

Community organizes work-in for political prisoners

“They are killing me tonight. They are murdering me tonight.”
­Shaka’s last words before the lethal injection took effect.

HOUSTON (FinalCall.com) - On June 22, the community gathered to honor and 
discuss the life of Shaka Sankofa (formerly Gary Graham). Five years ago, 
the eyes and ears of the world were focused on his execution and Huntsville 
became the focal point of a heated battle to save the life of a man that 
many people remember as a revolutionary soldier.

The execution was delayed seven times on the evening of his execution, and 
produced an emotional rollercoaster among the protesting community. The 
case reached the Supreme Court and was overturned by a 5-4 vote. Shaka 
Sankofa was executed by lethal injection. Since that moment at 8:49 p.m., 
there are wounds from that fight that have never been healed and an 
in-depth community dialogue about that hurtful execution had not occurred.

Five years later, the National Black United Front (NBUF) Houston Chapter, 
organized by Kofi Taharka, called everyone together for a community work-in 
session to discuss the impact of Shaka’s case on the Black struggle. Each 
panelist described their personal pains and perspectives on the execution 
of Shaka Sankofa. Special guests in attendance included the mother of 
Shaka, Lenora Graham, and his daughter Deidra Graham.

“I went down to his gravesite today. Thank you all so much for remembering 
my son,” his mother said. Deidra also thanked everyone for keeping the 
memory of her father alive.

The community affair also focused on the case of political prisoners, 
including Assata Shakur.  Everyone signed letters addressed to 
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18) and Congressman Al Green (TX-9), 
requesting them to write letters of inquiry to the Justice Department and 
New Jersey officials to bring to light the plight of Sis. Assata. The 
letter also requested that they support hearings to address 
<http://www.noi.org/cointelpro/>COINTELPRO attacks on Black leaders and 
organizations. Hundreds of letters were signed. Reginald Gordon made a 
presentation on how to keep children out of the justice system.

At exactly 8:49 p.m., everyone paused for a moment of silence to reflect on 
the execution. Then, Minister Robert Muhammad of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 45, 
who was the spiritual advisor to Shaka Sankofa, addressed the audience. He 
witnessed the execution, along with Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Al 
Sharpton and Bianca Jagger.

“When I just closed my eyes at 8:49, I saw it all over again. We have never 
been the same since Shaka was killed,” shared Min. Robert. “He told me, 
‘They try to make us fear death to control us.’ We can’t be afraid!” he 
declared.



© Copyright 2005 FCN Publishing, FinalCall.com


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