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We promised to keep this blog updated and from the very start we ran into complications but we hope we will get back on track shortly seeing we have a lot of planned actions coming up this Spring and well into summer.
 For now we wanted to re-post this blog written Raptivist Capital-"X" some time last year. It was written for a site that ended up collapsing. We are not sure if it is available anywhere else but we wanted to post it here because it's a great piece that needs to be out for the public to read. Please feel free to pass it along and by all means leave us your feed back in the comment areas. Thank you.

Staring Death In The Face "6446"

Juan Melendez

Could you ever imagine, being run up on by the FBI, guns drawn, aimed dead on your head, then being thrown down to the ground, hand cuffed and taken away knowing you didn’t do anything? You may have done some dirt in the past being young and stupid but you paid for that. Imagine having no idea why the FBI is taking you till they drop a bomb on you. “You’re being charged with murder in the first degree”.

 This is pretty much what happened to my man Juan “Puerto Rican Johnny” Melendez in 1983. He was accused of robbing and killing a man that he had never even met before in his life. Sounds like a crazy movie right? But it’s not, this really happened. Not only did it really happen within a matter of days Juan was tried, convicted and sentenced to death in Florida.

 One would instantly think well if homeboy ain’t do it, he ain’t got nothing to worry about, he should be able to prove his innocence in the greatest criminal justice system in the world right? Well, Juan did in fact prove his innocents no thanks to state or federal agencies though. After spending 17 years, 8 months and a day on Florida’s death row thanks to a moms that wouldn’t give up on her son and a lawyer that believed in the truth and real justice, Juan was released January 3, 2002. Upon release he received $100 compensation from the state. He has not received any further compensation, nor an official apology from the state of Florida. Ain’t that about a mutha fucka?

 It’s no surprise that Juan now travels the world telling people his story in an effort to abolish the death penalty. Exoneration’s like this is only one of the reasons I am against, and fight for the abolition of the death penalty. I know all to well how easy it is for someone to fall victim to a merciless system that states, “as a constitutional matter, the Supreme Court has never found a constitutional right for the actually innocent to be free from execution.” This means that as long as you had what they consider a fair trial, they can kill you even if you’re innocent. They call this justice.
I have chilled with Juan. He is a good friend of mine. Both being ex-prisoners we had an instant bond when we met that only ex-prisoners can understand. The first time we met, I was booked to speak and perform in New Mexico where Juan now lives and he contacted me and insisted I stay at his house. This brother not only let me stay at his crib, he took care of me, he cooked for me and shared his story with me on a personal level. I couldn’t hold back my tears for real. Juan has to be one of the realest, kindest souls I ever met in my life I got nothing but love for him for real. He introduced me to his wifey and two step daughters and to his dog and cat which are both exonerees as well. Juan saved his dog and cat from the shelter just hours before they were to be euthanized and believe me, they act like they know it, they love him so much. It was dope to see how they interacted together.

 Juan doesn’t fight against the death penalty as a personal vendetta per se. He fights against the death penalty first for those he left behind on the row. He fights it for those he grew close to on the row, and were executed, so they won’t have died in vain. He also fights to abolish the death penalty so that no one else will ever go through what he went through.

 They have a law called the “Three Strikes Law”. Three strikes and you’re out, you get life in prison without parole. Three strikes. Well the death penalty has over 100 strikes. There are 135 others with stories just like Juan’s, both men and women. 135 strikes and counting. I say it’s game over.

 What’s this got to do with hip hop? Well seeing that hip hop was born out of the same poor communities that seem to be the same poor communities where most death row prisoners come from, I would say it has a lot to do with the hip hop community. Capital punishment, targets the poor. There has never been a rich person on death row. The saying goes “Capital punishment means those without the capital get the punishment.” I have been fighting this fight non-stop for the last 6 years. I gave up my home and my job to fight against the death penalty full time because it’s that serious. I was homeless for 2 years but I didn’t care as long as I could fight this killing machine in a way that it needs to be, like Easy-E…Ruthless.

 I urge the hip hop community to look at Juan’s ordeal. Look into Cameron Todd Willingham’s case for whom time ran out. Look into the case of Troy Davis and Mumia Abu Jamal and get involved in any way you can.
The most important way to fight this beast is to load up with the facts about the death penalty and then spread the word. Each one reach one.We need the truth about the death penalty to be known by everyone. The Anti Death Penalty Movement needs soldiers desperately. Attend conferences, attend protests hell put events together at your schools, or in your neighborhoods. We need to unite like they did during the civil rights movement. We need to register as a strong voting power and let it be known that if you are pro-death penalty you will not make it into any office and, we will vote out anyone that currently holds office and is pro-death penalty. Life without parole is a just alternative.

 The U.S. is one of the few industrialized nations that still uses capital punishment. Eighty-six countries have outlawed it, including all of Europe. Puerto Rico which is a common wealth of the US has not had the death penalty since 1929. In fact Puerto Rico is a strong force in the fight against the death penalty and I believe in my heart that the hip hop community can be the force that can push the death penalty into a thing of the past.
In revolution 4 all.

Capital-”X” aka 305375

“X” and Juan chilling in New Mexico 2008

Another great moment in 2010 for 305375 once again consists of our close friend and ally hip hop artist/activist Sheepy and again the song 'Eye 4 N Eye' written, recorded and performed by Sheepy and raptivist Capital-"X".

On November 23, in Kristiansand, Norway Sheepy was invited to perform an opening set for the world known hip hop trio from Philadelphia, PA Jedi Mind Tricks. Sheepy in turn invited Capital-"X" to perform their anti death penalty anthem before an expected crowd of 500.

Jedi Mind Tricks are living legends in the genre of underground hip hop. They have a long list of hits dating back to 1997 and have established a very strong cult like following around the world. Any hip hop artist would be honored to share the stage with these veterans but, would they take this opportunity to address a crowd of hardcore underground hip hop fans with a sensitive social issue such as the death penalty? Well that is just what Sheepy and Capital-"X" did. Below Sheepy and Capital-"X" perform their anti death penalty anthem 'Eye 4 N Eye' for about 500 at Club Kick in Kristiansand, Norway backed up by DJ Inti and Absurd Oppspinn.

Capital-"X" and Sheepy got to meet the super group Jedi Mind Tricks prior to their performance. It was a powerful meeting and surely not the normal back stage chatter took place. Capital-"X" who is from Brooklyn, New York has mutual ties with the charismatic front man Vinnie Paz. Sharing his views on the criminal justice system in America including his position on the death penalty Capital-"X" was not surprised at all to learn that Vinnie Paz and the other members of Jedi Mind Tricks agreed. Vinnie Paz went as far as sharing his strong support for Mumia Abu Jamal who sits on death row in Pennsylvania JMT's home base. Vinnie shared how he strongly supported the fight to save Mumia and to free the MOVE 9 which he said he remembered seeing them being harassed by the Philadelphia police when he was younger. Vinnie also stated that he strongly supported fellow hip hop artist/revolutionary Immortal Technique who is at the forefront in the fight to save Mumia.

The pre-performance meet was intense to the say least. It was so intense that after Jedi Mind Tricks themselves performed they called Sheepy and Capital-"X" up on stage to perform their encore along with them, something that was totally unexpected. For any aspiring hip hop artist this would have without question been a dream come true. For two rap/activists it is just priceless. It is not everyday such a sensitive subject such as the death penalty can be brought up to the attention of so many young minds. The acceptance shown by Jedi Mind Tricks of Capital-"X" and Sheepy and to their opposition of the death penalty speaks volumes and will prove a valuable asset within the struggle to abolish the death penalty world wide. We at 305375 extend our gratitude to all the members and management of Jedi Mind Tricks. Below see the encore performance featuring Jedi Mind Tricks, Sheepy and Capital-"X".

See the Official Home Of Jedi Mind Tricks and Vinne Paz

http://www.jmthiphop.com/

Welcome to our new 305375 blog. We will be doing our best to keep you updated on everything we are involved in from this day forward.

As the year closes we at 305375 are already looking at the road ahead of us. 2010 was a good year as far as reaching people goes but we are hoping that in 2011 we cover more ground reaching even more people. Adding this blog is our first step in the direction we look to move in.

As we approach the new year we will recap some of our more memorable events here beginning with the most recent which was our involvement in celebrating "Cities For Life" on November 30th. Invited by Amnesty International Norway 305375 founder Capital-X and his close friend and a very close associate of 305375 rapper Sheepy who is from Norway were invited to this years Kristiansand, Norway's celebration. Sheepy has done and continues to do a lot of work with and for 305375.

This year the city of Kristiansand celebrated November 30 at the Stiftelsen Arkivet. Stiftelsen Arkivet is a foundation working with information, documentation, education, research and art & culture. The foundation is based in a building which served as a Gestapo regional headquarters during the 2nd World War, with the basement functioning as a detention and interrogation centre. Stiftelsen Arkivet took over the vacated building in 1999. The prison cells and torture chambers from 1942-45 have been reconstructed and the events that took place in the basement are illustrated by installations and human size dolls. By promoting dialogue, historical reflection and communication among different generations, Stiftelsen Arkivet wants to assist in the achievement of human rights, human dignity, peace building and conflict prevention. Stiftelsen Arkivet works in close co-operation with several humanitarian organisations that are also located in the building; regional offices for the UN Association, Save the Children, Red Cross, Fredskorpset, ARC-aid and Amnesty International.

In 2009 Capital-X and rapper Sheepy recorded a song that spoke out against the death penalty. This song 'Eye 4 N Eye' which was made into a video which the pair filmed at Stiftelsen Arkivet. The members of Stiftelsen Arkivet and Amnesty wished to recognize the work of the pair by showing the video on the walls of the Arkivet while they performed the song live for those in attendance which included the deputy mayor of Kristiansand. After speaking briefly to the crowd and performing the lights were then shut off followed by a moment of silence and then ceremoniously the building was then lit up celebrating the first abolition of the death penalty by a European state, decreed by Peter Leopold Joseph of Habsburg-Lorraine in 1786 for his Grand Duchy of Tuscany. On this occasion the participating cities show their commitment for life and against the death penalty. Cities for Life Day, every November 30, is celebrated around the world. All participating cities illuminate a symbolic monument, such as the Atomium in Brussels, the Colosseum in Rome and the Plaza de Santa Ana in Madrid. Participating cities in 2009 include more than 60 capitals worldwide, and over 1,200 cities and towns around the world, such as Rome, Brussels, Madrid, Ottawa, Mexico City, Berlin, Barcelona, Florence, Venice, Buenos Aires, Austin, Dallas, Antwerp, Vienna, Naples, Paris, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Reggio Emilia, Bogotá, Santiago de Chile.

By this symbolic action, these cities demand a stay of all executions worldwide. This initiative is promoted by the Community of Sant'Egidio and supported by the main international human rights organizations, gathered in the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (Amnesty International, Ensemble contre la Peine de Mort, International Penal Reform, FIACAT).

It was a real honor for 305375 to be a part of the "Cities For Life" celebration. We would like to thank all the members of Stiftelsen Arkivet, Amnesty International, the Deputy Mayor and all those who attended the celebration. We would like to extend a special mention and thanks to Olav Kalhes and Rune Arctander for going above and beyond to make us feel welcome.

Below is footage of the performance by Capital-X and Sheepy. November 30, 2010. Kristiansand, Norway.

On the night of November 30th rapper Sheepy and raptivist Capital-"X" performed their anti death penalty collaboration song 'Eye 4 N Eye' on the steps of the Arkivet in Kristiansand (where the video for 'Eye 4 N Eye' was filmed earlier this year) as part of the 'Cities For Life' 2010 celebration in Kristiansand, Norway. In -10 degree snowy weather the duo performed their song for about 50 in attendance including members of Amnesty International, the press and the vice Mayor of Kristiansand as their video was shown on dual screens. Cities for Life is celebrated every November 30, around the world acknowledging the first abolition of the death penalty by a European state.