Man to be Executed for 9/11 Hate Crime Despite Calls for Forgiveness

By Swani Swanigan, Christian Post Contributor Monday, July 18, 2011

A Texas inmate accused of committing hate crimes during the aftermath of 9/11 will be executed at the Polunsky Correctional Unit in Livingston on Wednesday July 20.

Mark Anthony Stroman was found guilty of shooting an Indian man, part of a killing spree that started just after the September 11 terror attacks.

According to DeathpenaltyNews.com, the state argued that Stroman’s behavior was motivated by pure hatred because his crimes focused only on those he believed were of Middle Eastern descent.

The 41-year-old claims that his actions stemmed from patriotism, “I cannot tell you that I am an innocent man. I am not asking you to feel sorry for me and I won’t hide the truth. I am a human being and made a terrible mistake out of love, grief and anger and believe me, I am paying for it every single minute of the day,” said Mark Anthony Stroman from death row.

The Supreme Court was petitioned for a stay of execution, however that claim was denied according to CNN.

However, Stroman’s story has an added twist; Rais Bhuiyan, a man that survived being shot by Stroman, how now become one of the most prominent advocates requesting clemency.

Bhuiyan believes that his attacker does not deserve to die and has created a website, worldwithouthate.org to urge Texas to spare Stroman’s life.

Bhuiyan has said, “In order to live in a better and peaceful world we need to break the cycle of hate and violence. I believe forgiveness is the best policy, which helps to break this cycle.”