Unjustly imprisoned at 17 years old – for a murder even Amnesty International maintains he did not commit – Nanon Williams’ death sentence as a minor highlights how the “War on Drugs” has been used to wage war on working and poor folks, and continues the legacy of inhumane violence and exploitation that damages millions of lives and devastates countless communities of color. Although Nanon admitted as a teenager that he participated in a drug deal gone bad, the Houston Police Department has come under investigation since evidence of fabrications in his case and others has been revealed. The substantial holes in the case against Nanon have been made increasingly evident to the public in exposés published by the Houston press.

Since Nanon Williams was put on Death Row at 17 years old, evidence of corruption has continued to surface in the handling of his case. Though currently under appeal, on November 24, 2010 a federal judge ordered Nanon’s release from prison in Texas — where he has spent over 21 years for a crime he did not commit. In support of his release, letters and poetry written by Nanon Williams are interwoven throughout Lyrics from Lockdown to create a hip hop theater/spoken word poetry concert experience.

VIDEOS: JUSTICE FOR NANON

​Justice for Nanon – Part One Video
Justice for Nanon – Part Two Video

HOW YOU CAN HELP NANON WILLIAMS?

Prisoners in Texas do not have the opportunity to earn money nor are there grants or student loan opportunities for individuals with a life sentence. Nanon relies on donations, book sales, and proceeds from LYRICS FROM LOCKDOWN to sponsor his education.

1. Purchase his books: ​www.nanonwilliams.com/books

2. Nanon continues to be a human rights activist and an extraordinary artist. Nanon donated jewelry — he made by hand — to raise funds to end wrongful convictions and racialized mass incarceration. Check Nanon’s handmade jewelry and have pieces custom made by emailing here now: onelovemetalworks@hotmail.com

3. Follow him on Facebook & Twitter​
​www.Facebook.com/nanonwilliams
www.Twitter.com/nanonmwilliams

4. Donate funds for his college education by contacting him through his publisher via email: ​Nanon@NanonWilliams.com

5. Follow his blog and share his message of peace and nonviolence:

6. Share this with all your listserves and join these organizations!

​​The Correctional Association of New York
http://www.correctionalassociation.org

​The Center for Nu Leadership on Urban Solutions
http://www.centerfornuleadership.org

​The Schomburg Center for Research on Black Culture
http://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg

​The National Black Theatre: Institute of Action Arts
http://nationalblacktheatre.org

​The Dome Project
http://www.domeproject.org

​Strycker’s Bay Neighborhood Council, Inc.
http://www.stryckersbay.org

​BlackOut Arts Collective
http://socialjustice.ccnmtl.columbia.edu

​MNN El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center | MNN​
http://www.mnn.org

Hip-Hop Theater Festival Online​
http://www.hhtf.org

​Hip-Hop Education – NYU Steinhardt​
steinhardt.nyu.edu/metrocenter/hiphopeducation