Both presidential candidates faced protesters yesterday. Anti-death-penalty activists interrupted an introduction for George W. Bush at the NAACP national convention in Washington, with one shouting, “An innocent man was murdered by Governor Bush!” Security forces led he four or five protesters out after they waved signs with pictures of Gary Graham, also known as Shaka Sankofa, who was executed June 22 in Texas. Graham, who was convicted largely on the testimony of one eyewitness, was the 135th prisoner executed since Bush became governor in 1995. “Remember Gary Graham!” the protesters shouted as Bush was introduced, but before he began to speak. The NAACP has called the execution of Graham a “gross travesty of justice” and has called for a national moratorium on all executions.
Anti-Death-Penalty Activists Protest GOP Candidate in Washington
HeadlineJul 11, 2000