Jocks 4 Justice: Stop the Execution of Kenneth Foster. Jr.

We the undersigned are shocked that the state of Texas aims to execute Kenneth on August 31 for the "crime" of driving a car. His 10-year-old daughter will live without a father because of a law obscene in its existence, and repellent in it's application.

 

In Texas, under a statute called the "law of parties," a person can be sent to the death chamber even if they didn't kill anyone.

 

Kenneth was 80 feet away in a car with the windows rolled up when another person, Mauriceo Brown, shot and killed Michael LaHood. The shooter then got in the car, and Kenneth drove off.

 

Kenneth doesn't deny driving the car. He also doesn't deny having driven around with Mauriceo and two other men earlier in the evening, when two other robberies occurred, but no one was harmed. But Kenneth faces death for being behind the wheel. No more. No less.

 

He has been on death row since 1997. That's 10 years, locked up for 23 hours a day, with only one 5-minute phone call every six months.

 

We the undersigned call for a reexamination of this case, and hope that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, where Kenneth's final appeal rests, will see that justice would be served by granting Kenneth a new trial.

 

Kenneth, in addition to being the father of a beautiful 10-year-old girl who he adores, has become a writer, poet and activist on death row. And he understands that the wheels of justice at times need some pushing to move in the right direction.

 

"It's my belief that if this does not become a political issue," he says, "then I have no chance."

 

Therefore, we lend our voice and our support to stopping the impending execution of Kenneth Foster.

 

John Carlos

1968 Olympic Bronze Medalist.

1/2 of the immortal Black Power Salute

Olympic Project for Human Rights

Lee Evans

400 Meter Olympic Champion

Gold Medalist 1968 Olympics

Olympic Project for Human Rights

Etan Thomas

Washington Wizards

Author, More Than an Athlete

Jeff "Snowman" Monson

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Toni Smith

Former member of Manhattanville College Women's Basketball Team

Famous for her 2003 on the court stand at the start of the Iraq War.

David Meggyesy

Western Regional Director Retired; NFL Players Association (NFLPA)

Former NFL Linebacker

Author, Out of their League

Dennis Brutus

Former Director of SANROC (the South African Non Racialist Olympic Committee)

Leonard Mcneil

Councilmember, City of San Pablo, CA

Former draftee Philadelphia Eagles

1968 Olympic Boycotter

Phillip Shinnick, PhD

Ambassador of UNESCO

US Olympian

World Record Long jump

Julio Pabón

President/CEO

Latino Sports Ventures, Inc.

William Gerena--Rochet

Editor of LatinoSports.com

Neil DeMause

Co-writer Field Of Schemes

Bobbito Garvia

Co Founder Bounce Magazine

Doug Harris

Executive Director

Athletes United for Peace

Lester Rodney

Oldest Living Sportswriter

Sports Editor

Daily Worker

1936-1958

Rus Bradburd

Former Assistant Basketball Coach University of Texas El Paso

Author Paddy on the Hardwood: Journey through Irish Hoops

Dave Zirin

Columnist, Slam Magazine, author Welcome to the Terrordome.

 

** Jock4 Jutice is a coalition of progressive athletes

D.R.I.V.E.

DEATH Row INNER-COMMUNALIST VANGUARD ENGAGEMENT