Who is Shaquanda Cotton? 
Shaquanda Cotton, an African girl who, in March 2006, at the age of 14, was sentenced to 7 years (an indeterminate time not to exceed her 21st birthday) in the Texas Youth Commission's juvenile detention facilities for allegedly shoving a hall monitor at her high school in Paris, Texas
Creola Cotton, Shaquanda’s mother, is a political activist in Paris. She began filing complaints against school administration when her own children were being mistreated in the schools. She along with her long time friend, Brenda Cherry then began an organization called Concerned Citizens for Racial Equality (CCRE). Together, they would defend countless African children who were being terrorized in the schools.
During Shaquanda’s trial, it became clear that Shaquanda was being persecuted for her mother’s political activism and that government in Paris, TX wanted to teach them both a lesson. During the trial, the DA made reference to Shaquanda’s mother and her political beliefs. At one point, he referred to her home as “revolutionary” and “racial”. Due to this colonial injustice, Shaquanda’s right to political belief and free speech was thrown out the window and she was found guilty and sentenced to 7 years in prison
But the People Fought Back!
On March 20th of 2007 political activists from throughout the region organized a march on the Paris Courthouse.
Because of the attention the march brought onto her case, the state was forced to release Shaquanda after serving 1 year of her 7 year sentence.
Although Not In Jail, Shaquanda is still in Bondage!
On July 6, 2007 a court in Texarkana, Texas denied the people’s appeal of her conviction.
Part of the fundamental struggle her family and supporters have been making is that Shaquanda is completely exonerated of any charges and her conviction be overturned.
This is why we must DEFEND SHAQUANDA AT ALL COSTS!