Note from Diane; I am posting this support information here at the top to make it easy to find.
Following that, you will find a message from Capital X about the Walk 4 Life, and then an interview he did with Justice for org.
How can people support you during the walk?People can support first by making donations.
Also by spreading the word, collecting donations, setting up events. We are trying to make this an international effort that won't stop after the walk. We need continued support and unification.
It is important to have funding to make this action a complete success. You can make an electronic donation from my myspace site.
www.myspace.com/capitalxaka305375 Or you can mail a check or money order. Make check or money order out to Voice of the Voiceless and send it to:
30575 Voice of the Voiceless
P.O. Box 892
Pine Brook, N.J. 07058
You can also make a donation by going to the following web address, just click on the donate link at the top of their page.
www.innocenceproject.orgCAPITAL – “X” about the “WALK FOR LIFE”I will be walking through 12 states in total to get to Texas. All 12 states still have the death penalty. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and into the murder capital of the United States Texas.
I am still trying to map out the route. It's difficult because I can not walk on major highways. I have estimated the distance to be about 1700 miles. It may be more or less but around this distance. I walk about 3 to 3.5 miles per hour sometimes reaching 4 but other times slowing down to 2.5. I figure on average I will walk 3.5 miles per hour. I will need to walk a minimum of 8 to 10 hours a day to make it within 54 days.
As for why I am doing this walk there are many reasons, 3500 (prisoners) of them to start with. I unfortunately fell victim to the criminal justice system here in America. I am not the only survivor of our prison system that speaks out, there are many yea I am just speaking louder. Ever since the first time I was arrested and I seen for my self how not even prisoners but those accused of wrong doing were treated I felt a need to do or say something, it's wrong. I couldn't get out though, I could not get out of the web of the system. One small crime you are found guilty of, you are theirs for the next 2 to 3 years under direct supervision of the department of corrections. So for over 20 years I struggled to break free going in and out of jails and prisons. I have seen enough to testify. Beyond my experiences I went even further and studied the history of American Prisons, I studied the history of penology, I studied criminology as well as any political ties to the criminal justice system. I can identify with prisoners as I can also identify with slaves. That's what prisoners are they are slaves.
I know how easy it is to wind up on death row. I have experienced being taken for a crime I did not commit. You are helpless really. Without resources you are doomed here in America. I just can't stand by and allow this to continue seeing God has blessed me putting me in a position where I can at least attempt to make a difference, to make a change. I think every human has the responsibility to try and make things better. I think most people would agree, they would want to make this world a better place. Well in no way is killing a way of making anything better or right, there just is no justification for execution. This is first degree pre-meditated murder. The most grotesque crime if you ask me. Proper so called civilized citizens cramping up in room and performing what looks more like a satanic ritual then justice.
Not every murderer on death row is a cold blooded killer. These were situations that occur ed. Crimes of passion, crimes of rage, obsession all sicknesses we deal with in this world. Rather than to deal with the sickness it self, America deals with the inflicted, with the sick. With the ones society failed to raise properly. Let's face the facts. We neglect our children because we are forced to struggle just to survive. Our family structures are near non-existent this country is a breading ground for criminals. With hundreds of new laws every year, they just keep on creating more criminals.
I couldn't stand the injustice anymore. Once I realized the truth I couldn't just remain silent. I see many fighting the same battle but all the fights seem to be in vain. Maybe something like this walk could bring all those that fight together, fighting as one unit like an army. The prisoners have been calling for unity on the outside for years, but no one has listened. Groups fighting the same war, fight among each other. This is how society is, divided. Well to make change happen, we need to come together, we need to unite once and for all everyone, that's what this walk is all about. Living life, saving life, cherishing life, building life not destroying it. If we ever wish to see a better America, a better world stopping capital punishment is a good place to start.
I know what it feels like to be locked in a dark cell cut off from civilization. It's silencing of the worst kind. I vowed to speak for those I left behind when I left prison. For the first time in my life I am keeping my word.. Only we the people can make a change. Waiting for our government to make things change is just not an option anymore to this is evident if you look at our crime and homicide rates. I am walking for the silenced. I will be speaking of them and for them as I walk. And I walk to also free myself from the mental prison I live in daily. Though I travel around the world I still remain in a deep dark mental prison, this is an everyday struggle. It's called prisonization. Though I am in the outside world, I am unaccepted fully, I am marked for life. And the damage from being dehumanized is done. i walk to try and free myself.
I also walk for the all the victims. Cause in truth we are all Vitim's here. Every death by murder or legal murder creates victims. I walk for every one of them to symbolize the search for true justice for I believe we have not found true justice or it's meaning yet.
Walk 4 Life. Yea, I am walking for every life that is effected by our criminal justice systems. For every life that has been taken by our leaders in the name of the people. Forget not one left behind, it's not one will be forgotten. "X"
INTERVIEW WITH CAPITAL - „X“ aka 305375 HEBREWS 13:3After spending the first two decades of his life on the streets and in prison turned Capital “X” his life around and became a prisoner rights activist and confident supporter of death row inmates. He speaks out for the voiceless as member of Szena Voce, a none-profit organization based in Italy that was founded to speak out for all those who go unheard.
Capital X, please tell us more about your life and how you've spent your youth. I was born in Brooklyn, New York the youngest of three. We lived in the housing projects in Bedford-Stuyvesant. I was only a couple years old when we moved to the South Bronx. From there forward I did a lot of moving around. I ended up dropping out of school after completing the eight grade, I was already involved with drugs. I started using drugs at 12 years old. By 14 years old I was selling. By 15 I was recruited by a drug posse, by 16 I was full member of the f*gen Family in Harlem, New York. By 17 I was in jail for the first of many times.
My life wasn't as tragic as the many I know of, but it was as if it was just enough for me to be a witness. From that first time I went to jail I struggled to break free from the criminal justice system amounting approximately 13 years behind bars on numerous occasions being sentenced to prison three times serving one and one half years, four years and then five straight from 96 to 2001. Most of my prison time was due to drugs and weapons charges. I have some assaults on police which make me a violent offender, basically now I am a moving target for life considered to be dangerous. This label was put on me an never earned. I have been a member of a number of gangs, in the end I was an officer of what America calls one of the most feared violent gangs, known to kill it's own members that do not comply with their laws. I don't discuss this much because though I am not active anymore, I am a member for life. I am only non active because I was given a pass to walk the path I am now on. If I stray from this path, I will be called back to active duty.
I got tired of falling victim so I began to re-build myself. I began to study. I did return to school while in prison and acquired my high school diploma. I graduated from 2 drug programs. I enrolled in Bible college and later after my release went on to community college where I studied music business and music technology. Even holding the highest grades possible, having been hired to work as the teachers aid at my college and have been highly recommended by my dean for a position at a company in New York was not enough for them to discriminate against me for my past. They took all hope away from me once again. Seeing society was not going to allow me to become a part of it even after I had paid my debt to them, I began to transform myself into a prisoners rights activist. An here I am today, an international prisoners rights activist. You can only silence the truth for so long.
What style of music do you do?Style of music I do is what most would call hip hop, not knowing hip hop is a culture based on five different elements one being rap. I picked up the art of rapping growing up on the streets. A number of guys I grew up with are considered the founders of the art. Almighty Kay Gee of the Cold Crush Brothers is like my brother and he is one of the founders. I have been rapping and writing poetry ever since I could remember really. Before hip hop was ever born I used to write poetry and little rhymes. Now that I rap with a purpose, I married two of the biggest aspects of my life and call it Raptivism. I am a Raptivist. Rapper/Activist.
Where did you perform your songs and are there any upcoming shows? I perform all over the world, well trying to get all over the world. I have performed in eight different countries including the USA, I also speak on an array of topics and hold workshops incorporating hip hop and serious social issues. I have performed at elementary schools, middle and high schools. I have performed in a maximum security prison in Modena, Italy. And I have done conferences, rallies, shows in Church's, youth clubs and concert venues, live on radio I perform where ever they call me to.
I am scheduled to speak and perform at the University of Maryland, (College Park) in Baltimore March 8, 9, 10, and 11. April 8-10 I will be at the Raphael Hernandez School of the Performing Arts (IS 217) in the Bronx, New York speaking to kids for The Hip-Hop Association. In September I am scheduled to perform in Rome for Hip Hop Parade, and in November in Modena, Italy.
So the music has always been an important part of your life and you call yourself a Raptivist. Can you tell us what a Raptivist is?Yes music is my life along with fighting in the struggle. It is where my passions are. Seeing I mostly rap about social and political issues I don't see myself as just a rap artist. I am not looking to become a famous rapper. Though I have been inspired by many rappers of course, I have been inspired more by the likes of activists who have made big impacts on the world. George L. Jackson, Stanley Tookie Williams, Mumia. I married my two passions rapping and activism and they bore a child, raptivism. Speaking truth in rhyme, making people aware of the injustices in rhyme. Calling for unity and action in rhyme, this is raptivism. War music.
What makes you such a strong opponent of Capital Punishment?I am a child of God, a follower of the teachings of Christ. I studied the Bible and understand that this practice is wrong. It was just in the Old Testament, but the coming of Christ brought hope, it brought forgiveness. I clearly understand the order to which God has set forth. I just don't understand why a country that claims God can't see this. They are blind with vengeance here, hungry for revenge. I know all to well how easy a situation can arise where deadly force must be used. On the streets I found myself in many situations that could have landed me on death row. Does killing someone actually make me worthless? What about Moses? He was a murderer, but was forgiven by God. Most of the characters in the bible were the misfits of society. These situations that occur are all unique, you can't just make it black and white, life or death. There is no fairness to this. If you are to kill those who kill, what of the soldiers that kill innocent people in Iraq? Where is the justice for those families? Or do they not matter because they are not Americans? Well they may not be Americans but they are humans, just as prisoners are humans not monsters. I can identify with those on death row this is why I fight for them. There are a lot of innocent men on death row, and of the guilty, most would never kill again. There are few that should be locked away for a life time of reform. I can't stand injustice, especially when it is being fed by the unjust.
Your song 999330 is dedicated to Anthony Haynes, Texas death row inmate No 999330. What makes his case so special to you?999330, Anthony is my brother, there are no other words to explain how I feel for him. His case is special for a number of reasons. Let me first say I identify with Anthony because our lives were similar. We didn't come from terrible families, we came from struggling families. When a child is not getting the proper structure he tends to seek his own way, often going the wrong way. I clearly understood Anthony's situation because I have been there. I just got lucky. I understand why Anthony's life took the turn it did. I understand why he was carrying a gun, and I understand why he ended up shooting a man to death. Was it wrong? Of course. Should he die for this? No. Officers of the law that kill innocent men and women are often vindicated. The murders are justified because of the situation, how it all played out. In Anthony's case, they just saw a cop killer, when he had no way of knowing the man he killed was a police officer dressed in normal clothes traveling in his civilian car. This is a clear case of revenge. Anthony has grown and developed into a strong man. Far from the scared confused 18 year old that committed the act of murder. I believe Anthony is of value and can do a lot of good in society if given the chance. If society forgave Anthony and gave him a chance, if they can except him like they accept the children we send over seas to kill for us, we can learn a lot. He could help us avoid this from happening again. See he has the answers. We keep killing the answers to our problems. It's wrong. This man deserves a second chance. He has never denied what he has done. He is honest and remorseful. He is a changed man and his case if investigated properly holds proof that this was not in truth a capital murder case. It was made a capital murder case because the victim happened to be an officer. Anthony would have been charged with aggravated man slaughter in most states along with weapons charges, he would serve 15 to 20 years. But he is in Texas.
Do you plan to record a full album? I have been working on my album since 2004. It is almost complete. The title is "305375" 305375 was my last prison number, I emphasize MY LAST. I am looking to release it in June as I am in the studio now. With the walk, I may have to push the date back, but the release will be this year.
On March 31 starts your action Walk 4 Life in Trenton, New Jersey. The 1.700 mile long walk will lead you through 10 of the 12 states with the highest execution rate. Are there any shows and events planned? And which states will you visit? Let's see I walk through Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina, I will try to pass through a part of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and into Texas. Yea, I will touch nearly the entire murder belt, ending up at the buckle. So far I believe Washington DC is putting together an event for when I reach there and of course I have heard of movements in Texas for when I arrive there. I am hoping more events and fund raisers will be put together as this comes together.
You will finish your walk after 54 days in Austin, Texas the busiest killing state of the USA. Where is the final end of the Walk 4 Life and can the people meet you there?Yea, I am going to end the walk at the Governors Mansion in Austin. I am going to invite the Governor for coffee. Everyone can follow me through the web sites being put up and meet me there. I will be in Texas for 10 days or so after I arrive doing radio shows and other events, supporting those visiting prisoners on the row.
How did you strike on the idea to make this walk? And what is your goal with this walk? I truly believe this idea comes from God. With the goal of unifying the people, saving lives in the end. I want to bring international attention to the fact that so many countries have stooped this barbaric act yet almighty America still sees it fit to kill it's own citizens. Puerto Rico where my people are from is a common wealth of the USA yet Puerto Rico has not had the death penalty since 1929. I want this walk to mark the beginning to ultimate end of capital punishment.
Walking full 54 days is a real challenge, how will you manage it to hang on? The people will help me hang on. The letters I have received are fuel. The prisoners are fuel. What I have endured up until this point is my fuel. This will be another aspect of my redemption. God will be with me, I will not grow weary.
How can people support you during the walk?People can support first by making donations. It is important to have funding to make this action a complete success. You can make an electronic donation from my myspace site.
www.myspace.com/capitalxaka305375 Or you can mail a check or money order. Make check or money order out to Voice of the Voiceless and send it to: 30575Voice of the Voiceless, P.O. Box 892, Pine Brook, N.J. 07058 Also by spreading the word, collecting donations, setting up events. We are trying to make this an international effort that won't stop after the walk. We need continued support and unification.
Do you have any websites?I have a few web sites I wish everyone to visit.
www.myspace.com/capitalxaka305375onloq.com/channels/from-the-front-lines/capitalxwalk4life.blogspot.com/igwtentertainment.blogspot.com/ What are your wishes how the people could support you?With a lot of prayers and love most important. And in any any other way possible.
Thank you very much for sharing this with us, but before we end this interview, is there something else you wanna tell the people out there? Thank you. Yea killing is wrong, there's no question about that. But we need to stop looking at those who kill as the problem. What lead them to kill is where the real problem is. We need to come together as a people again and battle these worldly problems with intelligence. We can not continue letting ourselves be lead by ignorance. There are intelligent answers we just haven't taken the time to search for them. Killing killers is not the answer for it breeds more pain and sorrow into a world that is already drowning in such. Let us make the sacrifices needed to prove we want change, to prove we will not stand for this anymore. We must succeed, because when we do, it will be the true beginning of change. Only we can make this happen. Not any one person we vote into any office. This must be done for the people, by the people. One Love, One Struggle. "X"
TO ALL GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND FIGHTERS
The “Walk for Life” is not only meant to be an Event that draws attention to the death penalty, but also to unite all the groups, organizations and other people. None of the groups is strong enough to end the Death Penalty alone, but if we all consolidate can we develop the full power of the Abolishment Movement! The broken system can’t withstand this power and the end of the Death Penalty will be within our grasp! This is what we all are fighting for day by day: the abolition of the Death Penalty!
Every group or person may have his personal goal in this fight, but every one of us has one goal in common, and if we put aside all differences that may exist, will we be able to reach it in the near future. This message is a call for Unity to everyone who’s in one or another way involved in the fight against the Death Penalty. Italy, England, France, Germany and Croatia have already joined this action and Puerto Rico will follow.
We encourage everyone to get in touch and to consolidate with us! Every single person makes a difference and is able to ad more power to the Movement! Hundreds of prisoners will die, except we end the Death Penalty before the state murders them and this is for most of them the only chance to survive!
WE are the ones who can end it!
www.myspace.com/justice_forwww.myspace.com/capitalxaka305375 (c) by Justice For
WALK FOR LIFE ***
I will be there in spirit though. Andre did tell me he hopes to visit Australia one day soon... so I will look forward to that meeting.
