Categories: U.S. and Canada

Texas governor’s 250th execution protested

Wearing Rick Perry masks protesting Perry’s 250th execution — on the right is Shaka Sankofa Haywood, reading the list of Perry’s 250 victims.
WW photo: Gloria Rubac

With the stick swinging the piñata at full force, the grandson of Shaka Sankofa literally knocked the head off Texas Gov. Rick Perry as the 250th execution under Perry’s watch was being carried out in Huntsville, Texas, on Oct. 31. Donnie Roberts Jr. was executed as activists in Houston gathered at a 400-year-old tree, officially known as the “Old Oak Hanging Tree,” where people were lynched during the 1800s. A four-foot likeness of Perry was beaten until it was just shreds of paper and wire and all 250 pieces of black-wrapped candy — each with one of Perry’s victim’s names written on it — had fallen to the sidewalk.

Then Sankofa’s three grandchildren, Shardiasha Haywood, Shaka Sankofa Haywood and Jontaisha Hawkins, began the reading of Perry’s 250 victims. Sankofa was executed on June 22, 2000. More than 20 activists took the microphone and as each name was read, the utter horror of what Perry has done was made public.

“In 12 years as Texas governor, [Perry] has set a record that will never be matched by any other U.S. governor — 250 executions. The death penalty will be history before anyone [else] could ever hit this unthinkable milestone,” said Abolition Movement organizer Pat Hartwell. Nation of Islam Mosque 45 Minister Robert Muhammad had witnessed Sankofa’s execution; he told the crowd that we must never let his execution be in vain, that the fight for abolition must intensify.

Gloria Rubac

Share
Published by
Gloria Rubac
Tags: Texas

Recent Posts

Seattle march against ‘two-party war machine’

About 800 people protested in Seattle on Nov. 9 in a “March and rally against…

November 12, 2024

Capitalism: biggest winner in election campaign

The writer was Workers World Party’s presidential candidate in 1996, 2000 and 2016. She won…

November 12, 2024

Grassroots organizing overturns abortion bans

June 22, 2022, was a dire day for millions of women and others who can…

November 12, 2024

Vote against genocide wins 70% support in Cunningham Township

In Cunningham Township, Illinois — which includes Urbana, home to the University of Illinois —…

November 12, 2024

Amsterdam free from Zionism! For a total boycott – globalize the intifada!

The following statement was issued by Samidoun Nederland on Nov. 8, 2024, following the genocidal…

November 11, 2024

Nov. 9 actions protest Trump’s reactionary program

People quickly mobilized throughout the United States to protest Republican Donald Trump’s election. Demonstrations, most…

November 11, 2024