A tribute

[janneke]

The year 2006, a tribute.

About one year ago Mr Clarence E. Hill had had his warrant signed for the first time. A lady, very much involved with the inmates in Florida, asked one of our forum members to maybe gather some people together and send him some supportive mail. We all received a beautiful letter back from Mr. Hill, thanking us for our support and how much it means to inmates to receive mail. We discussed this on our forum and soon a new group was formed: a support card group, sending inmates, who had had their warrants signed, some supportive cards.
During this past year we received beautiful messages, from the imates and sometimes from their pen pals. Telling us how much they appreciated the cards. How it showed them they were not alone and forgotten. How comforting it was to know that the struggle would continue, even after the inmate had gone.
One of the cards I sent, was addressed to mr. Hasan Shakur, better known as Derrick Frazier. A 29 year old man in Texas.
He answered my card with encouraging words, telling me not to give up and to continue with these support cards, as it was a very beautiful thing. One human reaching out to another in a time of need. I was impressed by his words. I immediately wrote him another card, telling him that I would think of him and read a Buddhist Teaching for him, if he would get executed on his set date.
I anxiously waited for that day to come. When I heard he had received a stay, I was very happy. I wrote him the same day and he answered that, of course, he had received a stay. He had so much faith.
He talked to me about the Islam and Buddhism and how he had enjoyed reading my views on life. How he, as a muslim, looked at life. That there were many similarities, that apparently we all have faith in something that is bigger than us, but it just has a different name in other cultures and religions. He asked me to continue to write to him about this subject, so we did.
We talked about how the world could become a better place, if we all respected eachother for who we really are. How he had so much faith that the State of Texas would not execute him. His strength and passion were unending. He never gave up, always pushing the people around him that one step further. Telling us he would come and kick our behinds if we’d break down and cry. Continue to fight, do not give up the struggle, power to the people!

Only a few months later we received the news that Derrick had received yet another execution date. August 31st 2006.
I received a letter from him, telling me that, of course, he would be alright. And in the unmentionable case he would not be ok, he then would come and haunt me after his death. He told me he would not be gone, he would stick around and continue to kick my behind, if I’d give up. The struggle had to continue, no matter what.
The waiting began, the date got nearer. We were all very nervous and thinking of Derrick and his wife, his family. I will never forget that day. I was thinking of him, picturing him being in his cell, waiting. Visiting with everybody for the last time, maybe call his lawyers, to see if another appeal could be filed. And then it was time.
I heard from his wife how strong he was, how he made a beautiful speech while strapped to the gurney. And when the drugs started to work, he cried. As if he all of a sudden realised that this was it, he would leave this earth. It was over.
Two days later I received his goodbye letter. He had written it a few days before the execution. Still full of faith, the State of Texas would not kill him. But also telling me that he would leave messages for us, that we would hear and see his name in the strangest places.
And, boy, was he right.
For about a month I continued to receive messages from people, by email and post, which he had left for me. And still, I occasionally open up a new website and there he is again. The strong and full of faith warrior against the Death Penalty.
He touched so many lives and so many hearts, he will always stay with us. And I, for sure, will continue that fight. Not in the least because I am dead scared he will actually come and haunt me and give me that spiritual kick.
So, Derrick, this one is for you. I hope you are in a beautiful and peaceful place, wherever that might be. And that you are surrounded by Clarence E. Hill, Clarence Ray Allen, Perrie Simpson, Marion Dudley, Marvin Bieghler, Jaime Elizalde Jr., Glenn Benner, Robert Neville, Jr., Clyde Smith, Jr., Tommie Highes, Patrick Moody, Richard Salazar, Jr., Kevin Kincy, Richard Thornburg, Jr., Willie Brown, Jr., Daryl Mack, Dexter Lee Vinson, Joseph Clark, Jackie Wilson, Jermaine Herron, Jesus Ledesma Aguilar, John Boltz, Timothy Titsworth, Lamont Reese, Angel M. Resendiz, Sedlay Alley, Derrick O'Brien, Rocky Barton , William Downs, Mauriceo Brown, Robert Anderson, Brandon Hedrick, Michael Lenz, William Wyatt Jr., Darrell Ferguson, David Dawnson, Richard Hinojosa, Samuel Flippen, Justin Chaz Fuller, Eric Allen Patton, James Malicoat, Farley Matchett, Arthur Rutherford, Bobby Glen Wilcher, Jeffrey Lundgren, Danny Rolling, Gregory Summers, Larry Hutcherson, Donell Jackson, Willie Shannon, John Schmitt, Angel Nieves Diaz and all those who are and will be on the execution list some day. May eternal love be with all of you. And continue to fight, do not give up the struggle, power to the people!