Preparations For Tookie Announcement?/Gang Member Execution
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dasmi
Member
It could potentially be very interesting, but I hope it isn't.
Sportcat
Member
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/5503561/detail.html?rss=la&psp=news
Council Members Urge Calm Over 'Tookie' Williams Decisions
LOS ANGELES -- Four Los Angeles City Council members called for calm Friday as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger considers whether to grant clemency to Crips co-founder and death row inmate Stanley "Tookie" Williams.
Images: Hearing | Images: Exhibits Displayed
Images: Rallies | Video: Defense Urges Clemency
With less than four days to go before Williams' scheduled Tuesday execution, sporadic-yet-credible threats of civil unrest have prompted the council members and representatives from the city and county human relations commissions to ask religious leaders to emphasize a message of peace during weekend services.
"We picked up information that led us to believe that there were some planned and intentioned acts of violence that could occur in the wake of the decision or the execution planned for Stan "Tookie" Williams," Robin Toma, executive director of the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission, said during a news conference at City Hall.
Toma declined to list the affected communities or elaborate on the threats.
Councilman Bernard Parks said he spoke earlier today about potential civil unrest with Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger of the South Bureau.
Parks said Paysinger assured him the LAPD would remain "vigilant" this weekend, but there was no immediate need to put the city on tactical alert.
"All you need is a few to disrupt the entire city," Parks said, referring to the events that led to the 1992 riots. "You don't need large numbers of people to start a problem."
Parks, along with council members Jan Perry, Herb Wesson and Bill Rosendahl, said they are asking religious leaders to deliver a message of peace in the days leading up to Williams' scheduled lethal injection execution at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday at San Quentin Prison.
"Regardless of your personal views on Mr. Williams' situation, I believe we all share a desire to ensure that people find outlets in which they can respectfully and positively voice their opinions," Perry said. "I believe that our religious institutions provide guidance and leadership to thousands in our community, and it is times like these that we must turn to each other for support."
Williams, now 51, was sentenced to death in 1981 after he was found guilty of murdering four people during two separate robberies two years earlier.
Williams has maintained his innocence.
Attorneys for Williams and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office each delivered 30 minutes of arguments to the governor yesterday, with prosecutors insisting that Williams deserved to die for the slayings and defense lawyers arguing that he has renounced gang violence.
The governor could issue a decision at any time.
If granted clemency, Williams would serve life in prison without parole.
In California, only the governor has the authority to commute a death sentence to life in prison. Ronald Reagan was the last California governor to grant clemency in 1967.
If clemency is denied, Parks said he will ask religious leaders to open their churches and synagogues for community discussions.
Rosendahl added: "I'm standing here as a white guy that represents the 11th District who realizes it impacts all of us, we're all in this dialogue together. In my district, black and white and brown and Asian together are mixing and discussing this issue. It's of great concern to all of us."
The Crips street gang, founded in 1971 in South Central Los Angeles, went on to become one of the most violent and widespread in the United States.
Family members of Williams' victims say he should be put to death for his actions.
But Williams's supporters say he has reformed because he spent much of the past 24 years writing children's books and teaching at-risk youth about the dangers of gangs. Supporters also have nominated him for Nobel prizes, for peace and in literature.
"For those who believe in redemption, they should remember that for the past 13 years, Mr. Williams has been talking about peace, not violence," Councilman Herb Wesson said. "I think the biggest tribute they could pay to him is to ensure that whatever happens ... they should be respectful to how he lived his life for the last 13 years."
Since being condemned to death, Williams has renounced his gang past, been the subject of a cable TV movie called "Redemption" starring Jamie Foxx. He was nominated in 2000 for a Nobel Peace Prize by Swiss Parliament member Mario Fehr for the anti-gang work he has done from his 9-by-4-foot cell.
Calls for clemency have been mounting from religious and community leaders and celebrities such as Foxx, the rapper Snoop Dogg, actor Mike Farrell and activist Bianca Jagger.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President Bruce Gordon also supports clemency, calling Williams "our secret weapon to help young African-Americans avoid gangs."
Council Members Urge Calm Over 'Tookie' Williams Decisions
LOS ANGELES -- Four Los Angeles City Council members called for calm Friday as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger considers whether to grant clemency to Crips co-founder and death row inmate Stanley "Tookie" Williams.
Images: Hearing | Images: Exhibits Displayed
Images: Rallies | Video: Defense Urges Clemency
With less than four days to go before Williams' scheduled Tuesday execution, sporadic-yet-credible threats of civil unrest have prompted the council members and representatives from the city and county human relations commissions to ask religious leaders to emphasize a message of peace during weekend services.
"We picked up information that led us to believe that there were some planned and intentioned acts of violence that could occur in the wake of the decision or the execution planned for Stan "Tookie" Williams," Robin Toma, executive director of the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission, said during a news conference at City Hall.
Toma declined to list the affected communities or elaborate on the threats.
Councilman Bernard Parks said he spoke earlier today about potential civil unrest with Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger of the South Bureau.
Parks said Paysinger assured him the LAPD would remain "vigilant" this weekend, but there was no immediate need to put the city on tactical alert.
"All you need is a few to disrupt the entire city," Parks said, referring to the events that led to the 1992 riots. "You don't need large numbers of people to start a problem."
Parks, along with council members Jan Perry, Herb Wesson and Bill Rosendahl, said they are asking religious leaders to deliver a message of peace in the days leading up to Williams' scheduled lethal injection execution at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday at San Quentin Prison.
"Regardless of your personal views on Mr. Williams' situation, I believe we all share a desire to ensure that people find outlets in which they can respectfully and positively voice their opinions," Perry said. "I believe that our religious institutions provide guidance and leadership to thousands in our community, and it is times like these that we must turn to each other for support."
Williams, now 51, was sentenced to death in 1981 after he was found guilty of murdering four people during two separate robberies two years earlier.
Williams has maintained his innocence.
Attorneys for Williams and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office each delivered 30 minutes of arguments to the governor yesterday, with prosecutors insisting that Williams deserved to die for the slayings and defense lawyers arguing that he has renounced gang violence.
The governor could issue a decision at any time.
If granted clemency, Williams would serve life in prison without parole.
In California, only the governor has the authority to commute a death sentence to life in prison. Ronald Reagan was the last California governor to grant clemency in 1967.
If clemency is denied, Parks said he will ask religious leaders to open their churches and synagogues for community discussions.
Rosendahl added: "I'm standing here as a white guy that represents the 11th District who realizes it impacts all of us, we're all in this dialogue together. In my district, black and white and brown and Asian together are mixing and discussing this issue. It's of great concern to all of us."
The Crips street gang, founded in 1971 in South Central Los Angeles, went on to become one of the most violent and widespread in the United States.
Family members of Williams' victims say he should be put to death for his actions.
But Williams's supporters say he has reformed because he spent much of the past 24 years writing children's books and teaching at-risk youth about the dangers of gangs. Supporters also have nominated him for Nobel prizes, for peace and in literature.
"For those who believe in redemption, they should remember that for the past 13 years, Mr. Williams has been talking about peace, not violence," Councilman Herb Wesson said. "I think the biggest tribute they could pay to him is to ensure that whatever happens ... they should be respectful to how he lived his life for the last 13 years."
Since being condemned to death, Williams has renounced his gang past, been the subject of a cable TV movie called "Redemption" starring Jamie Foxx. He was nominated in 2000 for a Nobel Peace Prize by Swiss Parliament member Mario Fehr for the anti-gang work he has done from his 9-by-4-foot cell.
Calls for clemency have been mounting from religious and community leaders and celebrities such as Foxx, the rapper Snoop Dogg, actor Mike Farrell and activist Bianca Jagger.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President Bruce Gordon also supports clemency, calling Williams "our secret weapon to help young African-Americans avoid gangs."
See, here's the thing. I really don't think that the sentiments that drove the Rodney King Riots are as strong in this case. The 1992 riots were the culmination of years of tension. But there are probably enough people who might join in if someone else starts trouble. Hell, in 1992, there was TV footage of a group of white sorority chicks looting, even, so "joining in" seems to be pretty easy.
But Rodney King wasn't the co-founder of the Crips, a gang that controls whole neighborhoods. And he wasn't alleged to still have some say over what the Crips do. He was a lone idiot.
But Rodney King wasn't the co-founder of the Crips, a gang that controls whole neighborhoods. And he wasn't alleged to still have some say over what the Crips do. He was a lone idiot.
Lupinus
Member
Could be interesting. If nothing else it might lead to a lot of problems or attacks on police. Which of course the NAACP will credit as simple frustration and a product of opresion.
HighVelocity
Member
I don't get it. The man was convicted of murdering 4 people and sentenced to die. Who cares what he did in prison? He's not there to be rehabilitated and released, he's there to be put to death.
My money says he wont be executed, so there wont be any riots. Arnold doesnt have the resolve to make a decision that would be unpopular among the unwashed public. He will simply say to himself "the guy is still going to be in prison so he cant hurt anyone else, and I can make the liberals like me if I grant clemency, no downside".
dasmi
Member
c_yeager,
I hate to say it, but I think you're probably correct.
I hate to say it, but I think you're probably correct.
ReadyontheRight
Member
(In Ah-Nold Voice)
I haff spent zee tiiiime to refiew zee Toookie Villiams case.
I haff decided zat I vill execute him myselff.
I haff spent zee tiiiime to refiew zee Toookie Villiams case.
I haff decided zat I vill execute him myselff.
bogie
Member
I'm not a big fan of capital punishment. Too darn final. I think we need to keep the fellow around, show him to juveniles... He fronts a good story, and if he can keep the preaching going, hey...
Of course, I think his cage should be smaller...
Of course, I think his cage should be smaller...
trickyasafox
Member
note to self: if im ever going to rob and kill, start popular gang first.
Rezin
Member
LMAO>>>>>ReadyontheRight said:
And I also agree with c.yeager.....
rock jock
Member
Preparations For Tookie Announcement?
Dang blissninnies. I've got an idea. Why don't they fry this POS and then let the law-abiding citizens arms themselves with AR's and deal with the rioters?
kind of a dupe
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=170201
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=170201
Beetle Bailey
Member
I'll be sure to stay home that night. . . 
Since no one wants to talk about Strategies and Tactics, I'm moving this to Legal and Political.
Jeff
Jeff
Camp David
member
Let's see... based on history...
If this guilty Tookie guy in California receives the execution which the jury mandated, all his black supporters riot, tear up the city, and the law will inevitibly look the other way and accept such a response as normal...
However, if whites start a Church in Waco, Texas, the government firebombs the church, burns all the women and children, and says it is a justified response.
Your country? Yup....
Fed up yet?
If this guilty Tookie guy in California receives the execution which the jury mandated, all his black supporters riot, tear up the city, and the law will inevitibly look the other way and accept such a response as normal...
However, if whites start a Church in Waco, Texas, the government firebombs the church, burns all the women and children, and says it is a justified response.
Your country? Yup....
Fed up yet?
RealGun
Member
I for one hope the execution proceeds. It is absurd for it to have taken 25 years and for there to be any notion of innocence at this point. Those who do riot will do so without really giving a damn about Tookie Williams.
Mannlicher
Member
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/5503561/detail.html?rss=la&psp=news
looks like its an intentional 'stirring of the pot' to influence the outcome of Arnold's decision about the murderous thug.
Of course, the consequences, if Williams is executed could be pretty bad. However, even this is a 'good thing' to his supporters, because it will solidify their hold on the hood, and their ability to use the threat of 'unrest' to push their agenda the next time they need to play their trump card.
Personally, if I lived anywhere around LA, I would have locked and loaded long ago.
looks like its an intentional 'stirring of the pot' to influence the outcome of Arnold's decision about the murderous thug.
Of course, the consequences, if Williams is executed could be pretty bad. However, even this is a 'good thing' to his supporters, because it will solidify their hold on the hood, and their ability to use the threat of 'unrest' to push their agenda the next time they need to play their trump card.
Personally, if I lived anywhere around LA, I would have locked and loaded long ago.
Sindawe
Member
1. I have to ask, will that be the vigilance of those sworn to uphold the law, or the vigilance of 13 some years ago when the LAPD turned tail and bravely ran away when faced with danger?
2. Why by golly, I suppose the qualifies me for redemption as well....
"See the bright warm sunshine, the lights the grass the the cows eat to give us milk so that we might grow up big and strong."
"See the noble cow, who gives her life so that you and I might enjoy a tasty burger on the 4th of July. In honor of the founding of our great democracy."
"See the sparkling fireworks, so grand on our nations holiday. Say, we should have another burger, and never mind the skulking figure in the bushes."
I concur. Hang the
. In public. Those "hip gangster wannabes" who wish to riot in protest are welcome to join Tookie on his ride with the Boatman across the River Styx.
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