Posted on 01/29/2005 3:46:04 AM PST by WKB
A Controversy is Brewing in Jackson A Controversy is Brewing in Jackson
He was convicted in the death of a Jackson police officer nearly 25 years ago. Next week he will speak inside city hall. Imari Obadele was invited by Councilman Kenneth Stokes to speak at a black history program Tuesday, and his appearance is causing quite a stir.
The scene was chaotic on Lewis Street in August of 1971 hours after Jackson police officer William Louis Skinner was gunned down during a house raid on Lewis Street .
“I heard the shooting. I was there when skinner got shot," said former JPD chief Jim Black.
The 32-year veteran of the Jackson Police Department was in the hospital when Skinner died.
"It was very emotional for all the police officer that were there," Black said.
Police and FBI agents were serving an arrest warrant. Inside were members of the Republic of New Afrika , a separatist militant group. Twenty-six-year JPD vet Jimmy King was nearby.
"It was quiet all of a sudden; sounded like a small war going on," said King.
"You just didn't lose an officer like that. It was very traumatic," Black stated.
In 1972, RNA president Imari Obadele along with several others was found guilty in the killing of Skinner. He served nearly six years. On February 1, 2005, Obadele will stand inside Jackson City Hall in front of an audience to talk about the RNA eleven.
"I think it's an abomination a slam on the good black people of Jackson and the good white people of Jackson," expressed Black.
The speech is part of a black history program. His host is city Councilman Kenneth Stokes.
"To me this would be like promoting Byron De La Beckwith. It's just a travesty," stated King.
The police training facility in Jackson is named after William Louis Skinner, remembering and honoring his service. But his colleagues say the invitation by a Jackson city councilman of Obadele will have the opposite affect.
Black says, "He is absolutely showing no respect for the man and woman who have given their lives in the line of duty."
Inside the training facility, Skinner's picture sits in between others who paid the ultimate price. Above is a sign saying lest we forget. Skinner's colleagues haven't forgotten, and their memories fuel emotional disappointment. An assistant to Councilman Stokes told WLBT he was out of state. When we offered to do a phone interview, she contacted him and Stokes declined. Just before 6:00 p.m. WLBT received a statement from Skinner's son justice court judge bill skinner. He says quote: "For more than 33 years my family and I suffered the loss of my father. This is not a black and white issue; it is a right and wrong issue. The fact that the city would celebrate a convicted felon who murdered my father tells me this is not the best of the new south."
City officials say this not a city-sponsored event. Councilmen have the right to invite speakers into city hall. Mayor Harvey Johnson released a statement saying he learned Friday about the event.
"The mayor's office has not been and will not be involved in the planning and implementation of this event," he said.
"He was convicted in the death of a Jackson police officer nearly 25 years ago."
What part of this don't you understand?
Given the choice between WLBT, and a quote by Stokes
in the Clarion Liar, I'll believe WLBT every time.
Headlines are frequently added to by the poster for
better understanding of the subject.
You have been here long enough to know that.
WKB is most definately a "stand up guy", and you
should be ashamed of yourself.
WD you da man !!
VERY nice, wardaddy.
You speak the complete, and utter, truth.
VERY nice, wardaddy.
You speak the complete, and utter, truth.
I just said that :>)
The rule is that you have to put the original headline on your post, so people can search on it and avoid duplicates.
You are perfectly free to add additional information to the headline if it fits and is within the posting guidelines of the forum.
"I just said that :>)"
I know... ;o)
Thank you for admitting that.
Hey look, I live in Richmond, VA, which probably rivals DC in terms of larger city black corruption. I don't have any issues with you about jerk off local black politicians. And I am confident that what you say about Stokes is true. I proudly state that I am a stereotyper of the first order, and I am right more often than wrong. That said, your headline leads one to assume that this guy was the trigger man.
Notwithstanding the protestations of Dixiechick2000, you can probably clear this up since you live in MS...Did Obadele actually do the deed, that is kill the policeman?
No problem here.
War Daddy and Yudan will not a lot more of the details
than I will.
If he had ever wore a white robe they would still be trying him for something
"You are perfectly free to add additional information to the headline if it fits and is within the posting guidelines of the forum."
Does "it fit" if it includes stating that someone did something that he may not have. I rarely criticize peoples' posts, but when one calls someone a cop killer, don't you think that the facts ought to be irrefuteable?
And I apologize to all for diverting the thrust of the thread, which is newsworthy as it is a reflection of how bad local politics has become. As I told someone else, I live in a hotbed of black corruption. However, we just changed that (hopefully) this past election.
My only explanation of why this set me off so much is that I just have high expectations here, and I try to look at FR from an outsiders point of view.
Again, sorry, and I will go elsewhere.
boy howdy...there would be careers made and financial donations collected from his blood if he were a white rather than black supremacist..
btw, keep in mind the murdered cop Skinner's son just ran for a seat on the MS Supreme Court. I think (although I am far from sure) that he is a judge/prosecutor presently. He did not win the election.
I think (although I am far from sure) that he is a judge/prosecutor presently.
WLBT received a statement from Skinner's son justice court judge bill skinner.
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