Posted on 12/16/2005 2:16:35 PM PST by newzjunkey
Furious politicians from Arnold Schwarzenegger's home city have turned on him over his refusal to stop the execution of a reformed gangster.
Councillors in the Austrian city of Graz yesterday voted to remove the California governor's name from the local football stadium.
The move comes after the Terminator star denied clemency to convicted murderer Stanley 'Tookie'Williams, 51, the co-founder of Los Angeles' notorious Crips gang.
Graz deputy mayor Walter Ferk said: said: 'It is annoying that we are being criticised because of Schwarzenegger's actions in California.
'It is not exactly admirable for us to be connected with the death penalty. Therefore, I am in favour of renaming the stadium.'
The news came as it was revealed that Williams' ashes would be scattered in South Africa.
Barbara Becnel, who co-authored his anti-gang books, said: 'Tookie wanted to return to his ancestral home. We chose South Africa because I know some members of the Mandela family.'
Becnel added that Williams' body will be taken to Los Angeles for a memorial service which will probably be held on Tuesday.
'A site has not been picked but it will be a large venue that can hold more than 16,000 people,' she said.
Speakers include rapper Snoop Dogg and the Rev Jesse Jackson. After the funeral, close friends will travel to South Africa for another ceremony.
'Stan probably wanted to go back to his origin, where we came from as a people,' said his ex-wife, Bonnie Williams Taylor.
Williams always protested his innocence and during his years in jail he became an active anti-gang and antiviolence campaigner.
I knew this was threatened but I had no idea it would actually pass. Perhaps this is one reason he became an American.
From: The USA
We'll keep Arnold, but will send you COD all the Crips you can handle.
He didn't become Governor of California to worry about what the folks back in Graz do. He represents the people of California.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
must be a slow day at This Is London
BFW!
(Big Freakin' Whoop!)
Furious politicians from Arnold Schwarzenegger's home city have turned on him over his refusal to stop the execution of a reformed gangster.
He never took responsibility for his crime. How can they say he is reformed. Left wing crapola.
These morons have priorities elsewhere.
Austria trying to interfere in the internal affairs of California.... Now that is a sight.
I was going to say, what the hell is a soccer reference (red card) doing in an American story, but I noticed that it's from London and they love that sissy sport....nevermind :)
"He (Tookie) never took responsibility for his crimes."
The Austrians never took responsibility for their Nazi past. Therefore, Americans don't need lessons in morality from Hitler's children in Graz, Linz, or Innsbruck.
This is the kinda stuff that happens when you name a public place after a LIVING individual. DUMB! My town keeps doing this, only to be embarrassed when the honoree is indicted.
I suggest the stadium be named Crips field.
Not entirely or completely.
That's ok, Arnie can build a dozen stadiums and put whatever name he wants to on them.
I find it difficult to accept criticism from the country that gave us Adolph Hitler.
Well, Austria is still linked to it's most famous native son, Hitler. As they say, the Germans were Nazis. The Austrians ARE Nazis. But I kid the Eurotrash. They oppose capital punishment on firm moral grounds. They prefer killing the innocent, not the guilty!
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