Do not go gentle into that good night

by Ace Tafoya/PNN Community Journalist

Statewide protests and a mass rally was held on the steps of the State of California building at McAllister and Van Ness in San Francisco, Tuesday, February 3, 2004. We all know that the case against Kevin Cooper is filled with holes, but we we’re there because we believed. And I’m sending this story to Kevin as a gift of hope with well wishes, thoughts and expressions from people at the rally with photos.

“Having lost my child to law enforcement in such horrible conditions 2 years ago, my heart really goes out to him. We are determined that we’re gonna work so that there are no more stolen lives at the hand of law enforcement in the prison system. He’s such an inspiration to us,” expressed Mesha Irizarry with a fire in her voice. She’s host of the radio show on 103.5 FM called ‘No Pigs in the Hood’.

I’ve had relatives, friends and ex-lovers in prison, but I just don’t understand how the state can violently execute someone. Will the rallies ever stop?

“Stay strong. Fight to the very end; don’t go gentle into that goodnight. Know that people out here are praying for him,” John Crowder said to me as I watched City Hall in the distance. “He’s been an inspiration to all of us.”

“This is just a symbol for our struggle. It’s not about just one person,” voiced JR Valrey of the San Francisco Bayview Newspaper at the podium. “It’s not about what we do right here at this rally, it’s what ya’ll do after this rally!”

Close to 200 people were there at the rally. Many of them are concerned about Kevin and his plight. Amanda Maystead wanted to “Thank him for providing us with way for voicing what the struggle’s about. And he’s done that!”

Dee Allen, a member of POWER (People Organized to Win Employment Rights) wanted to tell Kevin to “Be strong, Mr. Cooper. You have the whole entire state of California behind you…We’re all right behind you, we’re gonna make sure this entire execution will be overturned.”

As I was leaving the rally, Curtis Stovall shouted, “Hold on, he’s very strong. He’s like a martyr.” And I wanted to tell him to stay strong, look up and live life.