PRAISE THE LORD,
We saved the life of a young black boy, who at age 19, found himself in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people… been there… done that. I know the pain of having a death penalty hanging over your head… except in my case, it was kidnapping, while robbing a bank. Taking hostages, even without a loss of life, still meant the death penalty to me.
THANK GOD.
The death penalty was outlawed in Texas in 1972, a burden was lifted off my shoulder. Thanks to everyone who supported this case, to the Texas Pardons & Parole Board- First, for giving Eddie Griffin a reprieve and Second, for redeeming the life of Kenneth Foster, Jr.
THANK GOVERNOR RICK PERRY.
Not only did he grant Kenneth Foster a reprieve, he recognized a flaw in the “law of parties”. He took the initiative to address the injustice in the law, and directed this flaw to the attention of the Texas State Legislature.
THANKS TO BOB RAY SANDERS & THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE STAR-TELEGRAM
For hearing the cry of a lowly prisoner and answering the call to conscious for justice and fairness. Had we lost this fight, we would have lost a piece of our souls.
THANKS TO THE AFROSPEAR NETWORK THAT TOOK THE CASE OF KENNETH FOSTER TO THE WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY… TO THE 24-EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS… TO FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER AND DESMOND TUTU… And the thousands of emailers, letter-writers, and phone callers, GOD BLESS YOU.
Sincerely,
Eddie Griffin
Here is a story that will bring tears to your eyes…
http://eddiegriffinbasg.blogspot.com/search?q=kenneth+foster
Hey Eddie and all AfroSphere members (which means every last African one of us) this is AMAZING!!!!
I don’t usually get excited about shit like this but this is huge. What part did our pressure play in this reversal? Did you call? I called the Governor’s office yesterday. But I didn’t call the Pardons board and didn’t call none of ‘em today and I’ll tell you why. Because I’d begun to lose hope. I didn’t think it could be turned around.
A part of me began going: “yeah, nice try but we won’t turn this shit around.” Well, happily, I was wrong as hell. We may have only played a small part in this victory, but we should understand that something moved this Governor to do the right thing.
How do we create more cohesion, more unity, more acceptance of our diversity and more power to be an independent, powerful people? I haven’t got a clue, but something is working so let’s keep it moving.
What a day indeed!!!
Excelent Fucking Job!!!!!!!!!! Man, yall just got me super amped.
Eddie and the Afrosphere,
Great work! I am really in disbelief that this happened. I received Eddie’s email today, and as I picked up the phone to call the Governors office, I decided to check his blog beforehand in order to have my facts straight. And there it was… death sentence commuted!
This is a true testament to the power of unity and collective action, and has me even more convinced of the power that Afrosphere bloggers are wielding. As freeslave said above, “something is working, so let’s keep it moving.”
Leading by example, way to go Eddie and rest of the Afrosphere. Let’s remember this victory, and use the moment for the challenges ahead.
Is there anyway to memorialize this on our sites? Something for the sidebar maybe?
Good job. Now lets move on to help the next brother or sister and use the power of the blogs. We should focus on that Katrina bull shit.
Congratulations, Eddie! You are an inspiration and a role model for us all!
Rather than look for Bill Cosby to provide our leadership, we find that we have very able and wisened leadership much closer to home.
Thank you Eddie. Mark Bey
Bless you guys. I got a heart-pounding rush. You could see the amount of international support building. When the Pardon & Parole Board washed its hands, that left the Governor standing alone. [I got to give Gov. Rick Perry his props for stepping up to the plate]. There have been many ugly remarks made on Kenneth Foster’s website. It’s a useless battle to fight prejudice. We Saved A Black Boy’s Life. (I think that I wrote an article entitled “Can We Save A Black Boy”? We have proven: Yes, we can. Now if only we can put as much time and energy into saving other black boys.
Call and write. Let your voice be heard.
The Jena 6 Defense Committee
PO Box 2798,
Jena, LA 71342
jena6defense@gmail.com
Murphy McMillan, Mayor
P.O. Box 26
Jena, La. 71342
Phone (318) 992-2148
To contact District Attorney Reed Walters directly:
Reed Walters, District Attorney
28th Judicial District
PO Box 1940
Jena, Louisiana 71342-1940
(318) 992-8282
Fax: (318) 992-4731
Please contact:
Senator Mary Landrieu
(202) 224-5824
Senator David Vittner
Phone:(202) 224-4623
Rep Bobby Jindal
Phone: (202)-225-3015
Rep William Jefferson
Phone: (202) 225-6636
Rep Charlie Melancon
Phone: (202) 225-4031
Rep Jim McCrery
Phone: (202) 225-2777
Rep Rodney Alexander
Phone: (202) 225-8490
Rep Richard Baker
Phone: 202-225-3901
Rep Charles Boustany
Phone: (202) 225-2031
Great Job! God is Good!
Great work Eddie, and all the other activist on the Spear!
This is why we do what we do.
Peace.
Congrats Eddie. I saw an article in our local paper and thought of you.