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Resolution
to stop the execution of
Gary Graham/Shaka Sankofa
Passed
by Detroit City Council,
June 8, 2024
Whereas
Gary Graham, known as Shaka Sankofa, is on death row in Texas
and is scheduled to be executed on June 22, 2024 and
Whereas
Sankofa, an African American male, was convicted in 1981 at the
age of 17 for murder on the testimony of only one dubious witness.
There was no ballistics or fingerprint evidence presented in the
case and seven other eye-witnesses did not identify Sankofa, and
Whereas
Sankofa's original attorney, believing him guilty, conducted no
pre-trial investigation. Much new evidence later was uncovered
pointing to Sankofa's innocence, including four witnesses who
passed polygraph tests stating that Sankofa was with them miles
from the crime scene and
Whereas
Texas law forbade the introduction of new evidence in his case.
Federal courts have denied his appeal based on the 1996 "Effective
Death Penalty Act" and Whereas the widow of the slain man has
called for clemency along with the Pope and notables like the
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Danny Glover, Ed Asner and
Whereas
Governor George W. Bush of Texas has presided over 128 executions
in his terms in office, far more than any other state in the nation
and
Whereas
dozens of other death row prisoners in Texas face execution this
year. There is growing concern nationally that innocent people
are being executed. Many city governments, including Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh and San Francisco, have called for a moratorium of
the death penalty. The State of Illinois has placed a moratorium
on executions due to the large number of innocent people found
to be on death row and
Whereas
a bill has been place before Congress, sponsored by Senator Carl
Levin and Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., calling for a national
moratorium on executions,
Therefore
be it Resolved that the Detroit City Council adds its voice to
others urging Governor George W. Bush of Texas to stop the execution
of Gary Graham (Shaka Sankofa).
The Detroit City Council further urges that its Congressional
Representatives support the moratorium on federal executions.
Be
it further Resolved that the Detroit City Council directs the
City Clerk to forward copies of this resolution to Detroit Congressional
Representatives, Senators Carl Levin and Spencer Abraham, City
of Detroit Washington D.C. lobbyist Marge Mularney, and Texas
Governor George W. Bush. For
More
Information:
International Action CenterlMillions for Mumia
5920 Second Avenue, Detroit, Ml 48202
313-831-0750
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