Posted on 12/10/2005 7:26:59 AM PST by Qwertrew
Los Angeles Leaders Call for Peace if Crips Gang Co-Founder Williams Is Executed
LOS ANGELES Dec 9, 2005 — Community leaders Friday called for peace in the city if convicted killer and Crips gang co-founder Stanley Tookie Williams is put to death next week as scheduled.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger heard arguments this week from Williams' lawyers seeking to spare his life but hasn't said if he will grant clemency to the death row inmate condemned for the 1979 killing of four people.
Williams' supporters, from political leaders to the rapper Snoop Dogg, say Williams has turned his life around and become a positive influence in fighting gang violence through his writing. To execute him now, they say, would take away one of the most effective voices urging young people to steer clear of gangs.
Williams, 51, is scheduled to die at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday by lethal injection at San Quentin State Prison.
On Friday, four City Council members urged religious leaders to open their churches to those upset by the case.
Though community opinions about Williams vary, even a small group could provoke widespread civil unrest, said Councilman Bernard Parks, a former police chief. Parks alluded to the 1992 Los Angeles riots that followed the acquittal of white police officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King.
"All you need is a few to disrupt the entire city," Parks said.
Robin Toma, executive director of the county's Commission on Human Relations, worried that schools could be targeted, though he would not say why.
Despite the concerns, Los Angeles police have received no credible threats of possible violence related to the Williams' case, according to Lt. Paul Vernon. He said police have no plans to deploy more officers.
"We don't want to unduly concern the community over unconfirmed rumors," he said.
If the governor grants clemency, Williams' death sentence would be commuted to life without parole.
On the Net:
http://lahumanrelations.org/
Oh no, here we go again. Is that "Football" guy out of jail yet? He's sizing up cinder blocks already.
I wonder why they aren't more clear about who is itching to burn things down.
I simply do not believe jail-house conversions. I've seen too many say the right words while in jail and continue their old ways once they hit the streets again. This is not hearsay. I know them personally. I just don't believe it. Time to pay for his crimes.
Extortion.
Arnold - we won't riot if you grant clemency.
Pathetic.
Winter is not riot season in Los Angeles...it's a warm weather activity.
Let 'em riot. Quick way to round up criminals and gang members all in one swoop.
They're just hopeing that ANYONE will start rioting.
I hate for a city to be held hostage by a bunch of gangbangers lookin' for an excuse..and to watch liberal bleeding heart celebrities stand ready to "understand" and look for "root causes" of the mayhem.
Time to pay for his crimes.
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Yes. Especially in THIS STATE! (Calfornia). For too long, death row and the death sentence has been a party joke, a hotel for the worst CONVICTED AND SENTENCED killers and other criminals.
I wonder if we can send him a bill for the 26 ridiculous years of incarceration? The tax payers are due.
I say inject him and let justice be served. Hey Mike Farrell, have a nice day!
BINGO!
Arnold - we won't riot if you grant clemency.
Pathetic.
Borders on Terrorist tactics, doesn't it?
If you won't admit the crime -- let alone expressed remorse for it -- you cannot possibly have turned your life around.
R..i..g..h..t.
And Brer Rabbit was standing right behind them.
by the way, did anyone see Jammie Foxx on the news this week? What an idiot. All the good going on in L.A and all of the potential heroes he can thrust himself behind and he picks this loser....birds of a feather flock together!
The media is hoping to re-live the Rodney King incident/riots. They are encouraging it, that's why they constantly put this stuff out there...plant the seed and watch it grow.
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