STOP THE EXECUTION OF KEVIN COOPER

Carolyn writes:  Got this notice from Jessie Muldoon, a local teacher and activist. Meeting at SF AFSC office to work to prevent impending execution of Kevin Cooper.  Please read to the end of the message.  I am of course opposed to the execution of anyone, whether guilty or innocent.  In this case innocence seems a high likelihood.

Dear Friends,

    I know everyone is probably rushing off for holiday's soon for a well deserved activist break, but please take a moment to read the email below.

    Arnold is to preside over the state sponsored murder of Kevin Cooper on Feb. 10 unless we build enough pressure to make him grant clemecy.  Kevin has always maintained his innocence, and many questions remain unanswered in the case.  Kevin is not only an eloquent voice for abolition of the death penalty, but also an articulate opponent of Bush's war for empire, police brutality and the criminal injustice system.  We can't afford to lose him without a fight.  Please do what you can to spread the word and to come yourself to the Jan 5 organizing meeting or send a rep from your organization.

Yours in solidarity,
Jessie Muldoon


 

EMERGENCY PLANNING MEETING:::HELP SAVE KEVIN COOPER ALL SUPPORTERS WELCOME AND NEEDED!!!
January 5, 2004, 6:00 p.m., AFSC Office, 65 Ninth Street, San Francisco (between Market and Mission Streets)

**UPDATE**
Feb. 10 has been set as the execution date for Kevin Cooper, an African-American man on San Quentin's death row. The Committee to Stop the Execution of Kevin Cooper urges you to get involved now in this fight about the criminal injustice system, racism, and human rights.

Proposed Agenda:

1. Case update
2. Status updates on assignments
3. Discuss upcoming calendar of events and strategy
4. Set Date of Next Committee Meeting
Jan 19th: Participate in MLK march in SF
Jan 28th: Live From Death Row at UC Berkeley
Feb 3rd: Kevin Cooper Day of Action -- Bay Area and Sacramento, Davis, San Diego, Los Angeles
Feb 10th: If execution scheduled, March to San Quentin
WHO IS KEVIN COOPER?

The state's case against Kevin Cooper is full of holes, and he has always maintained his innocence. There are also issues of racism, poverty, and police misconduct in this case. Here are just a few of the facts:
 

  • Clumps of long, blonde hair were found in the hands of one of the victims. Photographs of this hair were never shown to the jury.
  • At least three weapons were used in the brutal murders, indicating multiple perpetrators. Prosecutors were unable to account for this, claiming that Kevin Cooper acted alone.
  • Hostile, racist demonstrations were held near the courthouse after Kevin Cooper was taken into custody. At one demonstration a toy gorilla was hung in effigy.
  • A pair of bloody coveralls was submitted to the police by a woman claiming that they had been left at her house by her boyfriend, who she believed was involved in the murders. Police records show that the coveralls were deliberately disposed of in a dumpster by the police without any testing.
  • Samples of evidence used to tie Kevin to the crime were in the possession of police investigator without court supervision or knowledge of the Kevin's defense team. The State fought testing of these samples for years, yet suddenly allowed testing after the samples were handled by police investigators. Further tests could be done to identify the person matching the blonde hair and also to see whether the evidence was tampered with, but the state is refusing to do these tests.
Kevin Cooper's case represents all of the flaws of the death penalty.  He is an active participant in the anti-death penalty movement.  The state of California is planning another unjust execution, and we need a movement to stop it.

HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE FIGHT
 

  • Call or E-mail Governor Schwarzenegger ((916) 445-2841, governor@governor.ca.gov) and your local representatives, and tell them why you are opposed to this execution.
  • Sign our petition, and collect signatures at your school, church, or workplace
  • Come to the next organizing meeting, Jan 5th at 6 pm, call (510) 895-0332 for more info
  • Protest this execution! We have planned for a day of action one week before the execution February 3rd in San Francisco and Sacramento.
If the execution happens, join us and march on San Quentin!
  • Get on the Save Kevin Cooper e-mail list, or get more information!
Call (510) 895-0332 or e-mail savekevincooper@yahoo.com
    
For our Fair Use of Copyrighted material Notice, please click on the ©.