Nanon Williams was sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit when he was a juvenile. After the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to abolish the death penalty for juvenile offenders in March 2005, Nanon's sentence had to be reversed to "life in prison", which in Texas means prison until death. After 40 years in prison, Nanon will be eligible for parole, which is hardly ever granted in Texas. Nanon is 33 years old. For 16 years he has been living in a tiny cell under inhuman conditions. He deserves a future.
Nanon’s case is now before the 5th Circuit Court of Criminal Appeals. This is virtually the last appeal for Nanon. Should Nanon's case be reversed it is highly likely that the State of Texas will retry him. He will need a very good trial attorney to win an acquittal. The State will come out with their arsenal and Nanon must have the best possible defense so that his release can be finally won. We need to raise awareness, support and funds to bring Nanon home at last!Throughout his incarceration, Nanon has worked as a prolific writer and activist, struggling tirelessly for peace and justice behind and beyond the walls. He has written three published books: Still Surviving (a memoir of his early years growing up on death row), The Darkest Hour (interviews and stories of men on death row), and The Ties That Bind Us (poetry). Nanon also received the 2003 Youth Activism Award from the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. A journalist in the eye of journalists, he has been interviewed by local, national and international such as FEDS Magazine, The Nation and the BBC. He is also the editor of a regular newsletter on prison and death row issues called, the Williams Report. Visit the Nanon Williams Support Association Web site at http://www.nawisa.org to learn more about Nanon's case, campaign and read much of his poetry and essays.How can you support Nanon through the "Free Nanon Williams Campaign"?
- Send the link of this Myspace site to all your friends - Visit the Nanon Williams Support Association Web site at www.nawisa.org to learn more about Nanon and his campaign. - Write letters to the local and national press, tell them about Nanon's case and ask them to cover the story. - Write letters to your Congressional representatives about Nanon's case, Texas' many wrongful convictions, and systemic injustice. - Buy and read the books that Nanon has written via Amazon.com or online book stories. - Organize local events such as book discussions and teach-ins to raise awareness of Nanon's case and wrongful convictions. - Read "US: Dead Wrong in the Case of Nanon Williams," a report by Amnesty on Nanon's case (find it on www.nawisa.org) and share it with everyone you know - Write to legislators in Houston and Texas and call for justice. Refer to the addresses and the text of the plan for action from Amnesty for guidance. (www.nawisa.org) - Support Nanon with a donation to his campaign and legal defense fund. Write to the - Join Nanon's campaign organizing team!If you have any questions or ideas, please contactwithin the US: US-Coordinator NAWISA: Anita Babineaux texas (at) nawisa.orgwithin Europe: Swiss-Coordinator NAWISA: Andrea Huber info (at) nawisa.org or leave a comment on the page with your question or idea.If you want to contact Nanon directly, send a letter to:
Nanon Williams 1306434
Coffield Unit
Route 1 Box 150
Tennessee Colony, TX 75884
(Tell him you received his address from his Myspace page.).