West Memphis Three Awareness Day Benefit: June 3: Raleigh
On Saturday, June 3rd, a benefit will be being held to recognize West Memphis Three Awareness Day. (A time for doors opening is not yet decided, but it will most likely be 8-9:00 PM). Bands such as Patty Hurst Shifter, The Bleeding Hearts, Nathan Davis Band, and Nathan Asher will be lending their talents to bring this issue into the hearts and minds of those not already touched by desperate need for a terrible wrong to be made right, and justice be served.
The story of the West Memphis Three, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley is one on injustice and prejudice. A story that sadly proves that not so long ago, the early 90's, there are still communities who allow and participate in the persecution of those who believe differently or look differently than the majority. This is also a story of children. Three 8 year old children who's lives were brutally taken from them, who's murder still walks free. Three children, teenagers, falsely accused, falsely convicted.
Shortly after three eight-year-old boys were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas, local newspapers stated the killers had been caught. The police assured the public that the three teenagers in custody were definitely responsible for these horrible crimes. Evidence?
The same police officers coerced an error-filled “confession” from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late— Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994.
Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.
For over 12 years, The West Memphis Three have been imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. Echols waits in solitary confinement for the lethal injection our tax dollars will pay for. They were all condemned by their poverty, incompetent defense, satanic panic and a rush to judgment.
On June 3rd, the second annual WAD Event, will be raising funds that go directly to the WM3 Defense Fund (The day after the show the amount of money made will be posted on the Myspace site for this event). Funds are needed desperately at this time. A round of DNA testing, to test or re-test items from the first trial, greatly depleted the Defense Fund. Fees are mounting: lawyers, investigators, labs, and many more. Your help is truly needed.
The show will be being held in two clubs: The Raleigh Music Hall (Formerly Martin Street Music Hall), and the club below it, The Alibi Bar. There will only be one door charge, as bands will play in both clubs. Doors will most likely open between 8:00 and 9:00 PM (please call venue for details or mail me). Eight of Raleigh's finest rock bands are booked to play! Upstairs at the RMH, the following will play: Patty Hurst Shifter, The Bleeding Hearts, Nathan Davis Band; and downstairs at the Alibi Bar we'll have: Nathan Asher, Dollface, Lactose Quervo, and Big City Reverie. Bands will play simultaneously, and attendees can move between the clubs freely. Merchandise donated by the bands will be up for sale as well as many incredible items for auction (I might have some amazing surprises for the auction! Hint: Many very popular celebrities and musicians support the West Memphis Three).
I hope you all will try to attend. Peace cannot truly exist without freedom. And how can we assure our children that they will have that freedom when such legal atrocities as the ones comitted against these teenagers were allowed to happen?
Boohiss
(Nancy)
www.myspace.com/wm3awarenessdayraleigh
The story of the West Memphis Three, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley is one on injustice and prejudice. A story that sadly proves that not so long ago, the early 90's, there are still communities who allow and participate in the persecution of those who believe differently or look differently than the majority. This is also a story of children. Three 8 year old children who's lives were brutally taken from them, who's murder still walks free. Three children, teenagers, falsely accused, falsely convicted.
Shortly after three eight-year-old boys were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas, local newspapers stated the killers had been caught. The police assured the public that the three teenagers in custody were definitely responsible for these horrible crimes. Evidence?
The same police officers coerced an error-filled “confession” from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late— Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994.
Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.
For over 12 years, The West Memphis Three have been imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. Echols waits in solitary confinement for the lethal injection our tax dollars will pay for. They were all condemned by their poverty, incompetent defense, satanic panic and a rush to judgment.
On June 3rd, the second annual WAD Event, will be raising funds that go directly to the WM3 Defense Fund (The day after the show the amount of money made will be posted on the Myspace site for this event). Funds are needed desperately at this time. A round of DNA testing, to test or re-test items from the first trial, greatly depleted the Defense Fund. Fees are mounting: lawyers, investigators, labs, and many more. Your help is truly needed.
The show will be being held in two clubs: The Raleigh Music Hall (Formerly Martin Street Music Hall), and the club below it, The Alibi Bar. There will only be one door charge, as bands will play in both clubs. Doors will most likely open between 8:00 and 9:00 PM (please call venue for details or mail me). Eight of Raleigh's finest rock bands are booked to play! Upstairs at the RMH, the following will play: Patty Hurst Shifter, The Bleeding Hearts, Nathan Davis Band; and downstairs at the Alibi Bar we'll have: Nathan Asher, Dollface, Lactose Quervo, and Big City Reverie. Bands will play simultaneously, and attendees can move between the clubs freely. Merchandise donated by the bands will be up for sale as well as many incredible items for auction (I might have some amazing surprises for the auction! Hint: Many very popular celebrities and musicians support the West Memphis Three).
I hope you all will try to attend. Peace cannot truly exist without freedom. And how can we assure our children that they will have that freedom when such legal atrocities as the ones comitted against these teenagers were allowed to happen?
Boohiss
(Nancy)
www.myspace.com/wm3awarenessdayraleigh
(no subject)
wow, this place does have stoners. i just moved here from Floriduh. i need kool friends wanna help me out? mebbe introduce me to some goood ppl and junk?
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