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Three demonstrators protesting the scheduled execution of Gary Graham were charged Wednesday with not obeying warnings to stay off the street, police said. The arrests occurred during a downtown march to stop the June 22 execution of Graham, who was convicted in 1981 for killing Bobby Grant Lambert outside a Houston supermarket. Graham contends he didn’t kill Lambert. But an eyewitness positively identified Graham as the shooter. Arrested was Gloria Rubac, 53, with the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement. Rubac, a Houston teacher, was arrested after going in the street where officers were handcuffing two protesters. She was taken into custody for allegedly interfering with the duties of a public servant. Renee Feltz, 25, and a 16-year-old were cited for walking in a public street where a sidewalk was provided. Feltz was not taken to jail. The 16-year-old girl was released to the custody of her mother. Sgt. K.R. Perkins said the protesters were warned by the police over a public address system to remain on the sidewalk. He said the protesters were arrested for being in the road while a sidewalk was provided – a misdemeanor. After the arrests, protesters chanted anti-police slogans at the officers who had gathered at Main and Walker. Some booed the officers. At least four squad cars and two bicycle officers followed about 20 protesters for several blocks. Some protesters remained in the street blocking traffic at Main and Texas. Graham supporter Anthony Freddie called the arrests unnecessary. “It was blown out of proportion. They were individuals taken away under a nonviolent act,” said Freddie. “They should not have been put into a squad car. This is what you call a form of intimidation.” At least nine officers were at the scene and the march disbanded following the arrests. The rally in support of a new trial for Graham began at the Harris County
Criminal Justice Center with about 40 protesters. Then about 20 protesters
left the justice center on Franklin and marched down Main Street chanting
and passing out fliers. They also stood in the
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