Posted on 12/06/2005 12:46:48 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
LOS ANGELES -- Saying he and convicted killer Stanley "Tookie" Williams can become "a powerful force for change," the national leader of the NAACP Tuesday asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant Williams clemency.
Williams, the 51-year-old co-founder of the Crips gang, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1981 for the deaths of four people in two separate Southland robberies. He is scheduled to be executed Dec. 13.
However, in a rally with local and state NAACP chapter members on the south lawn of City Hall, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President Bruce Gordon said he was convinced after a recent meeting with Williams at San Quentin Prison that executing him would be a mistake.
"He is our secret weapon to help young African-Americans avoid gangs," Gordon said. "We want to save his life so he can save the lives of others."
A vote for clemency is a vote for hope, Gordon said.
Asked whether he believes Williams' claims of innocence, Gordon said he was persuaded by the convicted killer's demeanor during their meeting.
"As I looked into Stanley's eyes I think I spoke to an honest man," Gordon said.
Gordon scoffed at suggestions the NAACP might be lenient on crime.
"We're not soft on crime, this is a war on crime," Gordon said.
Actor Mike Farrell and Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who also spoke at the rally, called for a moratorium on the death penalty in California until the Legislature can assess its fairness.
Farrell also said too many people are in prison for crimes they did not commit.
"We can't afford to make these kinds of mistakes with the lives of human beings," Farrell said.
Bonnie Williams Taylor, Williams' ex-wife, told the gathering that many injustices occurred during Williams' trial.
She said her heart goes out to the families of the victims, but her ex-husband still denies killing anyone.
Alice Huffman, the NAACP's statewide president, said the group is not asking for Williams' release from prison.
"This is a not a free-Tookie rally, it's a rally to save his life," she said.
The NAACP members are making three other stops today in San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco to hold similar rallies.
Here is a link to some pictures of the rally. I don't have time to post them to this thread.
Hopefully this time next week we will all be on the 'Tookie executed' thread!
"Actor Mike Farrell and Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who also spoke at the rally, called for a moratorium on the death penalty in California until the Legislature can assess its fairness."
He was convicted for killing four people and is the founder of a criminal enterprise. Death is too kind for him.
Hook him up and start the IV.
"He is our secret weapon to help young African-Americans avoid gangs," Gordon said. "We want to save his life so he can save the lives of others."
What a crock..This scum bag should be dead right now..
Just curious,have the relatives of the folks that Tookie killed been speaking out?
3 of this pig's victims were people of color.
tick,tick,tick.
Doogle
I wonder if his victims begged for their lives? Did he show any mercy. No? Pull the lever.
"a moratorium on the death penalty in California"
Especially since the Cripps are excellent practioners of the art. This man is lower than pond scum.
And?
HOW MUCH has this worthless POS cost the taxpayers so far. ANyone know?
Yes, but like the rest of the liberals in this country they've planned a "cut and run" strategy in this war as well.
He already HAS been a "powerful force for change." He changed four people from alive to dead, affecting not only their lives but the lives of everyone they loved and who loved them. He can continue to be a force for that same kind of horrible "change" from his rat cage on Death Row. Or we can carry out the will of the people, duly reviewed, and put this piece of trash in the ground.
"He is our secret weapon to help young African-Americans avoid gangs," Gordon said. "We want to save his life so he can save the lives of others."
Too late. He was convicted on what he DID. It's hard to grant clemency on the basis of what he MIGHT do. And if he's a "secret weapon," you're unarmed.
A vote for clemency is a vote for hope, Gordon said.
And a vote to execute him is a vote for justice.
Write a couple of children books named Helter Skelter and P.I.G., then have the KKK and Aryan Brothers protest for your pardon!
Yeah, the neo-nazis felt the same way about Timmy McVeigh.
Tookie's had plenty of time since he committed the murders to put an end to black gang crime. I haven't heard any testimonials from reformed gangbangers about how Tookie inspired them to go straight. But he IS a cold-blooded cop-killer who has lived far longer than he should.
Owens' (the store clerk) stepmother was on Hannity & Colmes calling for this beast to be executed. However, Owens' brother wants him to spend life in prison.
I am not a fan of the death penalty, but I might make an exception in this case...
Just a fact that may have escaped the NAACP.
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