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D.R.I.V.E

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About Me


The DRIVE Movement was formed in November 2005 originally seeking to unite the Death Row Community and to first bring about change for everyone caged there, at the Polunsky Unit on Texas Death Row, and eventually nationwide. Due to the ever worsening deplorable environment of the conditions on Death Row, DRIVE feels there is no choice but to push forward and initiate a change in the conditions first, that will then set the conditions that will lead to the abolition of the Death Penalty.
DRIVE, originally consisted of five main Comrades: Kenneth Foster Jr., Reginald Blanton, Rob Will, Gabriel Gonzalez and Da’mon Simpson, but over the past months others have joined in, not only within Texas Death Row but throughout the country as well, especially in Pennsylvania. Inmates are non violently protesting not only for humane conditions but they also protest against their executions, and amazingly others as well when an execution is imminent; Moreover a hunger strike in collaboration with other dedicated activists has been going on since October 8, 2006, and inmates who have been involved are prepared to renew this sacrifice starting on New Year’s Day, 2007, calling on all the incarcerated to rise up and send a vibrant message to the outside world!
These Comrades are united in trying to change conditions. They have put aside all minor barriers of ethnicity, creed, color and beliefs, to focus on the injustices forced upon them by the system. By means of inner-resistance, organizing, outer petitions drives, protests and direct actions, DRIVE hope to solidify their stance and remain relentless in the fight against oppression!
DRIVE has reached out to the whole activist community and solid bonds have been formed through this effort to establish a wide-reaching concerted action inside and out; a necessary duality between the activists and the individuals directly concerned by their activism. Radio interviews, newspaper articles, joint actions, pamphlets, flyers, and so on are small examples of how the word has been getting out far beyond the word of mouth.
DRIVE is not seeking a violent process (in action or response). However, through experiences, the totalitarian system has sought to meet DRIVE’s protests for Humanitarian change with violence: extensive use of force squads with gassings, and denials of meals, showers, clothing and grievances are among a long list of tactics used to divide and conquer them; a tactic that failed miserably to achieve its goals. Regardless of all this harsh oppression, the DRIVE comrades never wavered as they truly believe in the need for the change. Truly believing in the Cause, they are willing to suffer for their beliefs and the greater good of all.
Since they were transferred to the Polunsky Unit back in 2000, the work program has been discontinued, the group recreations abolished, TVs, arts and crafts not allowed. The building itself is left to decay (e.g. unsanitary conditions, foundation cracking in the cells). These were meant to be temporary measures but they have lasted for six and a half years without a hint of an end in sight. Their environment has been designed to torture, provoke and degrade into a deplorable state (mentally, physically and spiritually). Therefore, DRIVE step forward to say, “ENOUGH!”
Until Humane conditions are implemented and Freedom and true Justice are achieved, DRIVE will continue to be an uncompromising force in the Struggle!
For more information please go to Drive Movement or contact the movement at
[email protected]

My Interests

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of Justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle, the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Without persistent efforts, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Click to visit the DRIVE's E-Shop.

DRIVE Members

Drive Members

Kenneth Foster

Shonda Walter

Rob Will

Gabriel Gonzalez

Carol King

Reginald Blanton

Beth Markman

Da'Mon Simpson

Randy Halprin

Randy Greer

Michelle Tharp

Steve Woods

I'd like to meet:



Petitions

Demand the Respect of Offender Correspondance Rules

Ensuring a Fair Grievance Process for all Prisoners on Texas Death Row

Challenging the Texas Law of Parties

The Right To Videotape Executions

12 Steps on how to become an activist.

By Stanley Campbell

If you have a yearning in your heart to make life better on this planet, to right some wrong or support some effort large or small, then you are an activist. Instead of feeling frustrated in front of the television set, here’s some ways that I’ve learned to get things done.

1. Speak out about an issue. Don’t remain silent, but don’t scare people away. Try to express your concern in a positive manner. The world doesn’t want you to act, and the rich want you to shop, so God bless the social justice activist! But if you are concerned about the environment, pollution, war, poverty, or the high price of living (or anything else), then speak your mind! Teddy Roosevelt said “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”

2. Find like-minded friends. These won’t be your real friends (in fact, your real friends will think you’re crazy). Pass a petition and sign people up. Folks who give their name and address may give time, energy and money.

3. Find the official(s) in charge. Everything’s got somebody in charge, often a chain of command, and you have to find out to whom to address your concerns. Don’t demonize them, for often they are as concerned as you. It’s not a conspiracy that the world is the way it is. It’s just the way it is and it can be changed.

4. A good organizer keeps track of supporters’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and whatever else comes down the pike. Build that list. Share the work, by sharing your concern. Delegation of work means you trust people to help. That trust will help you get things done.

5. Find people who are working on the same issue. And there’s always people working on the same issue who’ve probably won a few battles, and can tell you a few stories. It’s nice not having to reinvent the wheel.

6. Use resources like libraries and the Internet to educate yourself and find national organizations that will support you.

7. Bring in speakers—outside agitators and experts who will enlighten and educate the community as well as the officials. This is a good organizing tool, but don’t bust the bank. Find experts who won’t demand high fees, but who can share information.

8. Use the media. Make a list of every outlet and try to get personal with the reporters. They are all overworked and appreciate it when someone writes an articulate story for them to use. Don’t be afraid of radio talk shows and television cameras. Find spokespeople.

9. Money is no object, but you have to ask for it. Really, this is the richest country in the world, and people will give to a cause if they trust you. So learn how to beg. Find folks who will keep track of the cash. If you need more than $8,000 a year, find a lawyer and set up a tax-exempt organization, or find an existing group that will take on your cause.

10. Get a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order here and learn its spirit. Your meetings will devolve into squabbles or be driven off track unless you learn how to conduct them. Share responsibilities.

11. Celebrate your victories. Use any excuse to have a party, sing some songs, listen to poetry and reflect; all the while, charge admission or pass the hat. Try not to treat people on the other side as “the enemy.”

12. Never say no to somebody else’s issue. In fact, encourage people to get up from their television sets and make the world a better place.

There’s lots of issues. No one thing will bring about redemption, but a whole lot of little steps get us closer to paradise. Good luck!

In Memoriam... They did not walk to their murders

"And I want everyone to know I did not walk to this because this is straight up murder. I just want everybody to know I didn't walk to this. The reason is because it's murder. I am not going to play a part in my own murder. No one should have to do that."
Extract from LaMont Reese's Last Statement on June 20, 2006

Shannon Thomas
Born 27-07-1971
Murdered 16-11-2005

Marion Dudley
Born 13-05-1972
Murdered 25-01-2006

Tommie Hughes
Born 15-08-1974
Murdered 15-03-2006

Lamont Reese
Born 16-10-1977
Murdered 20-06-2006

Kevin Kincy
Born 31-01-1968
Murdered 29-03-2006

Mauriceo Brown
Born 03-07-1975
Murdered 19-07-2006

Justin Fuller
Born 29-08-1978
Murdered 24-08-2006

Michael Dewayne Johnson
Born 27-05-1977
Took his own life on Death Watch proclaiming his innocence 19-10-2006

My Blog

The Time Is Now!

By Kenneth E. Foster Jr. The anticipation had grown. There was a sense of tension, despair and anger in the air. The word was  it'd be a fight to the end! As I stood in the death row recreation day r...
Posted by D.R.I.V.E on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 12:13:00 PST

The Grievance Joke

Violations occur on Texas Death Row everyday; whether it is by this administration, or the prisoners. The difference, however, is that it's the prisoners rule violations that are thoroughly documented...
Posted by D.R.I.V.E on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 12:03:00 PST