A Controversy is Brewing in Jackson Ms: City Councilman Ken Stokes Invites Cop Killer to Speak

WLBT 3 ^ | 01/28/05 | By J.P. Hervis

[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.

[dixiechick2000]

"where are you?"


Oregon...;o)

I was born and raised in Meridian,
and most of my family is still there.

I love the internet because of situations such as this.
It's very nice to meet you. ;o)

[dixiechick2000]

BIG OLE BUMP!!!


Know thine enemy...

[185JHP]

IIRC ol' Elridge Cleaver got straightened out enough to say "America is the best country in the world." FReegards

[broadsword]

And here's the idiot in question:

Frikkin loser!

[Yudan]

Yes, I am in Memphis - a city that I WOULD trade for all the tea in China. In fact, you can have it for all the tea at the Schnuck's store down the block. No? How 'bout a cup of Starbucks and car fare?

For those of you who have been under a rock, the Bluff City has its own political issues. Four-term mayor King Willie Herenton thinks he was annointed by God Himself to be mayor of Memphis. He stated so last January.

To quote comedian Ron White, "THERE'S some good news." His slide into obvious dementia has continued. It's quite entertaining.

The heathen run amok.

[bourbon]

We'll find out later this week whether Baby Bourbon II will be a boy or a girl. I'll be sure to let y'all know when I find out.

[wardaddy]

He and his wife found God.

He lost his radicalism. I think she still clings a bit. She is in that Weather Underground movie that hit video recently which I couldn't resist watching. All those vermin still feel justified except Mark Rudd.

[onyx]

Just watching the Noon news right now.
Looks like he made a truly racist speech...
"we didn't start ANYTHING... we were attacked by the POleece."

[onyx]

The son of the slain officer is speaking now.
His mom had to raise him and his 2 siblings on
$450 a month. The pain on this man's face is
evident.

[bourbon]

Some credit needs to be given to people like Eric Stringfellow, Jackson city councilman Marshand Crisler, and (gasp...yes I am about to say this!) the editorial board of the Clarion-Ledger for opposing Obadele's invitation.

While I think Stringfellow is a bit soft on Obadele ("a fascinating scholar???"), he should be commended for speaking up against this event.

The truth is Kenneth Stokes is acknowledged as an extremist and a racist by many blacks in Jackson. It is a very good thing that influential blacks are not sitting by and ignoring Stokes' provocative actions. By contrast, I think many white liberals are perfectly content to ignore his actions. Heck, just look how much attention this incident has received in the Jackson Free Press (NONE as far as I can tell!).

[wardaddy]

Stokes would have been dead man walking dead once upon a time.

just an odd thought....guess we can call that progress.

[bourbon]

I'd call it progress for sure.

Stokes and white racists certainly deserve to live, although I would prefer it if both went about their days in richly-deserved public scorn.

[WKB]

February 2, 2005

Insults fly at council meeting

Although a controversial speech by Imari Obadele went smoothly Tuesday night, insults and barbs were tossed earlier in the day.

Obadele, a former Republic of New Africa president, stood before a crowd of about 150 people at Jackson City Hall Tuesday night to kick off a Black History Month program and lightheartedly retold portions of a controversial gun battle 33 years ago that killed Jackson Police Lt. William Louis Skinner.

As Obadele spoke, some supporters nodded heads and clapped, while others interjected "that's exactly right."

Obadele, invited to speak by Councilman Kenneth Stokes, was jovial when he discussed a 1971 shootout and its aftermath, but never addressed the death of Lt. Skinner.

But earlier, Obadele attended the City Council's meeting, saying his organization was peaceful.

"We were in our house and the police and the FBI ... attacked us," he said.

Hinds County Justice Court Judge Bill Skinner, in a news conference at his office, said his father was murdered and Obadele is responsible.

"This man is a terrorist," Bill Skinner said. "He ran a terrorist organization and there is no difference between him and Osama bin Laden."

Lt. Skinner was shot through his car window and police helmet on Aug. 18, 1971, when police and FBI raided the RNA's headquarters at a house on Lewis Street. Obadele served more than five years for conspiracy, assault and firearms possession.

Just days before the shootout, Obadele had as much told Lt. Skinner that he was going to kill him after Skinner had called Obadele "meek as a lamb," Bill Skinner said.

"I'm a commander, I'll show you how meek I am. This is going to be a long revolution," Obadele said, according to a 1971 police report.

Bill Skinner, holding back tears, said Lt. Skinner never got to attend his children's graduations and never got to hold his six grandchildren.

"Richard Henry (Obadele's name at birth) was tried and convicted and is basically being brought in with the red carpet rolled out to get a key to the city," Skinner said, chastising Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and the council members who did not speak out against Obadele.

Only two of seven council members, Ben Allen and Marshand Crisler, have publicly said Obadele has no place speaking in City Hall.

At the council's 10 a.m. meeting, the face-off between both sides roiled emotions.

Obadele, bodyguards and local lawyers Chokwe Lumumba and Imhotep Alkebu-lan sat in the front row, about 8 feet from the council.

Obadele said the RNA wanted to establish an independent country that included Mississippi.

White supremacy is still alive in law enforcement today but different, Lumumba said, referring to Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin's stance against Obadele's visit.

"Law enforcement is slicker now. We know (McMillin) has at least one council member here," he said, referring to Crisler, who sat just to his right. "He wears a black face, but I saw him smiling there with McMillin (Monday at the sheriff's news conference)."

Responding to Lumumba's comments, McMillin said Tuesday night "Mr. Obadele doesn't know me. He's not from here. I think I will put my reputation up against his for service to the community."

At the morning meeting, Crisler was visibly angered by Lumumba's accusations. He told Lumumba he does indeed work for, respect and support McMillin. "But I will not be misrepresented," he said.

Lumumba tried several times to cut in while Crisler had the floor. Council Vice President Margaret Barrett-Simon gaveled Lumumba down and gave him a stern warning.

But Stokes took aim at both McMillin and Allen.

"McMillin lives in Clinton. How can he run things here?" Stokes said. "Ben Allen is the biggest racist I know, but at least he stays in Jackson."

Allen, seated next to Stokes, burst into laughter, along with many others in the chamber.

Johnson said he didn't come forward — for or against Obadele's visit — because the council and the media can't offer a platform wide enough to put the issues into context. A committee should be formed where race issues can be resolved, he said.

When asked if the move to invite Obadele was part of a publicity stunt for the upcoming city council election, Stokes replied, "Nonsense. I did it to kick off Black History Month, and he's the perfect person."

Carl Marks, a west Jackson systems analyst at Jackson State University, said curiosity drove him to attend the Black History event.

"I'd never heard of Obadele, but I heard he was pretty controversial," Marks said. "I'd heard of Skinner, and I came to see what the drama was about. I think it was a positive thing to have the event. Anybody who is trying to support blacks is OK."

[Magnolia]

I remember the RNA & 1971 shooting well. My father in law served on the jury that convicted Henry. It's hard to admit that Jackson has devolved into a cesspool & just confirms our 1979 decision to leave was the right one.

[WKB]

just confirms our 1979 decision to leave was the right one.



Got any openings ?

[Magnolia]

Got any openings ?

Come on in...Oklahoma is full of Mississippi refugees!

[MississippiMan]

Sickening. Utterly sickening. Speaking from a realist's position, Jackson is lost. Good people of every color should abandon ship while they can.

MM

[onyx]

Watching the excerpts on the news was enough for me.
Of course, Kenny Stokes is a hero to his constituents,
so he'll be even more embolden now that he's pulled this off.

[wardaddy]

Boy.....this is our reward for ending Jim Crow.

I sure feel better now....patting my own back.

This is precisely what my ancestors feared. Disintegration not integration.

I see no solution. Jackson proper has become like any other of that demographic. Now who's to blame?

FReeper do-gooders who aren't living it have no clue.....none whatsoever.

This worm turned hundreds of years ago and this is the fruit it's borne.

[bourbon]

My father in law served on the jury that convicted Henry.

wow. Does he know about this? Is he still living? I bet he'd be outraged.