Tony Ford

An exhibit of Tony's artwork will be held at

4WardEver

In Association with

 Indy Media Brum  &  The Friends of Mikey Powell Campaign

Present The

“Together We Are”

4th Anniversary Event In memory of Mikey Powell

And in support of Texas death row inmate

Tony Egbuna Ford

A night of live music, art & speakers commemorating the death of Mikey Powell (a cousin of artiste, writer and activist Benjamin Zephaniah) who died in police custody in September 2003,

and in support of Tony Egbuna Ford an innocent Black man awaiting execution at the hands of the brutal US state of Texas
 

Live performances by
From the United States: Capital X and The Welfare Poets

From London and the West Midlands: The INJUSTICE Roadshow & Princess Emmanuelle, Yaz Alexander and The Tribunes

There will also be a photography and art display from death row inmates

Friday 7^th September 2007 (Doors open 7.30pm until late)

The Rainbow, 160 High Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0LD

 www.4wardever.org  

 www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/birmingham  

'Together We Are' was a vibrant night of live music, arts and poetry commemorating the death of Mikey Powell, who died in police custody in September 2003, and in support of Tony Egbuna Ford, an innocent black man awaiting a death sentence in Texas, USA.

There were blazing live performances by Capital X, The Welfare Poets, Princess Emmanuelle & Friends, Yaz Alexander  and The Tribunes.

Many of the artistes travelled from the United States and London to take part in this annual event, and the campaign were also supported by The Rainbow manager/owner, Kent, who gave the venue free of charge and provided refreshments to the performers throughout the night.

Thanks also go out to Sam, Alex and others at IndyMedia Birmingham who assisted with securing the venue, publicity, and press and radio interviews.  Friends and family members also helped on the night and provided support and advice in the planning of the event.

The campaign would also express appreciation to Newstyle Radio, BBC West Midlands and Smooth Radio for giving airtime about the event and the work of 4WardEver, The Mikey Powell Campaign and the Family Advisory Support Trust.

This was a special night enjoyed by all present.  We cannot thank enough those artistes that have supported this event every year since Mikey’s death (Yaz Alexander, Princess Emmanuelle), regular contributors since 2006 (The Tribunes); and this years selfless contributions from Capital X and the Welfare Poets.

Special thanks to Tippa Naphtali who made it all happen!

From Texas death row Tony Egbuna Ford sent us

this powerful message:

"The death of Mikey Powell is something that should resonate with everyone in the UK and abroad, regardless of race, class or background.

The RampART Creative Centre - East London

Art and Soul was an evening of music, art and education - a coming together of artists from both London and New York in support of Tony Egbuna Ford.  An art exhibit showcased the immense talents that thrive even within the steel and razor wire of Texas Death Row. 

Much love and solidarity was shown by:

The Mikey Powell Campaign

Capital X

Ebele

Princess Emmanuelle

Ken Fero

Capital X performs live on stage - "Art and Soul"

WHEN WE COME TOGETHER

Often, people from different walks of life cannot see the commonality they share with each other.  People will separate themselves for any number of reasons.  From religion, race, gender, class…  Sadly, such separation has found its way into the struggle community.  The good news however, is that just as different religions, races, genders and classes have come together to form a collective voice against societal injustice in all its forms, so too can the struggle community.

Recently an event was held called “Art and Soul:  Voices from Death Row”, which highlighted my fight for Justice and Freedom from Texas’ notorious death row.  Alongside this was highlighted the senseless death of brotha Mikey Powell, who died in police custody.  Also in attendance in support of our cause was a very gifted film maker – whose documentary “Injustice” ………  And yes, alongside the people standing solidly and firmly to find a common cause to unite affected families and friends, artists of various types.  And finally, YOU, the common man and woman.  Because without you, our voices could not find any ground to stand on.  This event, held on March 24^th, brought all these various voices together showing that we do have a commonality.  And that yes, we do stand together.

When we come together, we not only show that we support each other’s plight, but also that we empathise with each other’s sorrow, pain and loss.  It has been said that an injustice in one place is an injustice for everyone.  By uniting across the wide spectrum as we have within the struggle community, we show that we will stand against injustice and stand with those of particular struggles against injustice wherever it may be.

The death of Mikey Powell is something that should resonate with everyone in the UK and abroad, regardless of race, class or background.  Here was a brother who was taken into police custody, and given an impromptu death sentence.  For me personally, this resonates with me, in that I was taken into police custody, and charged with a capital offence which resulted in my being sentenced to death.  Now, while my experience and Mikey Powell’s may not be “exactly” the same, we have both been sentenced to death.  But, I am still able to fight to save my life.  Sadly, brother Mikey Powell is not here to do the same…  Brother Mikey should not be dead.

A concerted effort will be made to continue to bring events such as the March 24^th Art and Soul event, to more cities there in the UK, and by extension, cities over here in America, and other communities in the world where I have support.  The goal is the same.  To unite those of us together under a common cause – the need to see Justice done.  No one person, organization or group has exclusive rights over this.  We ALL want to see justice done.  And, when we come together as a collective we strengthen our position to bring about that which we desire – JUSTICE. 

I thank 4Ward Ever, Ken Fero, Tippa Naphtali, United Families and Friends, the various artists here on death row who contributed artwork, the artists/ poets who performed/ spoke.  The volunteers who helped.  And most of all my beloved wife, Rachael Ford, who along with everyone mentioned, helped to make the Art and Soul event a success.  Again, this all happens WHEN WE COME TOGETHER.

Always,

In Strength and In Spirit!

Tony Egbuna Ford

 Art & Soul was a small event with a big spirit, and everyone who attended was touched by the messages of hope and solidarity that affected all that were present.

The 4WardEver Campaign worked in association with Migrant Media and the Free Tony Egbuna Ford Campaign to stage this event in support of the fight for Justice of Tony Ford, another innocent victim of the Texas State capital punishment killing machine; and solidarity with all the other innocent inmates held in US prisons under sentence of death.

This event, which took place on 24th March 2007 in London , also included a show of solidarity with families fighting against deaths and abuses in custody in the UK, and screening of award winning US film DEADLINE.

An evening among spoken word royalty and featuring the poetic presence of

Tony Egbuna Ford

Spoken word performances by:

Bro. Said, Equality, Jerome, Black Lotus, Arella, Shai, Obidike Kamau Ph.D., Women Poets

House Band:  Funk Bank

Performing Artists:  Epiphany, Ayo Codrington, and Tony Henry, DJ Kool MD

Visual Artist:  George McCloud

Hosted by: Zin of SOS Radio

Produced by:  Akua Holt