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Muslim minister Robert Muhammad called on Christian ministers to preach against the death penalty and to mention Graham’s case in particular. Muhammad was joined by other civic and religious leaders and local rappers at a Monday news conference to denounce Graham’s scheduled execution and announce plans, in possibly their final effort, to gain Graham a new trial. “We will pick targets of opportunity,” Muhammad said. “It’s going to be no peace in Houston. You cannot be comfortable going to your soccer games and living in River Oaks and killing people. “You want the Olympics in 2012, then give justice. We’re going to let them know Texas may be nice for some but not for all. Something is going to get shut down around here.” The group vowed to do whatever is necessary to get the attention of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Gov. George W. Bush. Graham is scheduled to be executed June 22 for the May 1981 murder of Bobby Lambert outside a Houston supermarket. At his trial, a witness never wavered on her identification of Graham as the killer. However Graham’s appeal lawyers have said they have found witnesses who could absolve him. In addition to calling for a letter-writing campaign to Bush, Graham’s supporters plan mass demonstrations, prayer vigils, civil disobedience, town hall meetings and a mass voters’ registration drive aimed at defeating Bush in the presidential election. Anti-death penalty activist David Atwood said the group has requested a meeting with Bush and hope it can be attended by Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, leader of the Houston area’s 1.4 million Catholics, who has called for clemency for Graham. “I want people to understand this is a cause of many,” Atwood said. “We’re fighting a monster, an evil (the death penalty), and we need to join in fighting it. It will be a miracle if we get a meeting with him (Bush).” The group has scheduled a rally outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on May 31.   |
