AFTER MORE than three years without an execution, the state of Maryland was prepared to execute Steven Oken in early March. To make matters worse, four other inmates have reached the end of their appeals processes, setting the stage for a possible total of five executions in 2002--more executions in one year than have occurred in Maryland since 1943.

But all of these preparations ground to a halt February 6 when the Maryland Court of Appeals voted 6-1 to grant Oken a stay until the U.S. Supreme Court can hear his appeal.

Maryland has the highest percentage of Blacks on death row of any state. Of the five men facing executions this year, four are Black, and all five are accused of killing whites.

Now it's likely that no more death warrants will be signed in Maryland until the fall. But this is no time to relax--now more than ever we must be willing to go on the offensive against this racist system.

Polls continue to show that about half of Maryland residents support a moratorium, with even higher support among Blacks--about 65 percent. We must use this time to expose the system for what it is and build a vocal movement willing to take to the streets to demand abolition.

Defend immigrants' rights

By Afsaneh Moradian

ELEVEN PROFESSORS and students at City University of New York (CUNY) schools held a three-day hunger strike last month to oppose a tuition hike imposed on undocumented immigrant students.