Repeat of LA riots possible...

[sa_butta]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/12/10/to...ncy/index.html


Leaders urge calm if Williams dies


LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- 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 Thursday 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.

Schwarzenegger said Friday he expects to announce his decision "soon."

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.

[hussker]

Dude should be an example through his writings and death as 1) How people can change 2) That crime must be punished. Many on death row have turned their lives around. Here is a point to ponder... Would he have written and changed his life if he had not been caught? We will never know, but the sentence should be carried out. Just glad I am in TX and not LA or CA when the plungers go down...

I am so happy to see that Snoop Doggie Dogg is going to bat for him. That should make all of the difference indeed. He is such a fine upstanding citizen himself.

[T Park]

blowing people's heads off point blank with shotguns is just a faze.

Come on........

[Cant_Be_Faded]

If people riot because of this, they lose credibility. Rodney King was justified, but this? Didn't the guy commit murder?

[midgetonadonkey]

At least another riot would provide for some interesting television.

[Vashner]

I don't think there will be widespread riots. I mean the NFL wants to move the saints to South Compton... it must be improved no? From the Sean Pean Patrol days.

[Trainwreck2100]

At least another riot would provide for some interesting television.

At least till tonado or hurricane season. Or some white girl goes missing on some weiner island.

[Murphy]

ahh yes, riots, the art of the liberal

[hussker]

Tookie Williams Last statement should read something like:

Hey kids, thanks for reading my books. Remember, if you get involved in behavior with gangs and the syringes you use do not kill you, the ones I am getting ready to use will when you get caught. Peace Out homies...

[KEDA]

He did the crime and now he must pay


laughing at someone choking on their own blood isnt a phase either!

[boutons]

A problem with riots in black neighborhoods, as white peoples' entertainment, is that nearly all the victims and properties are black. black-on-black crime. For the "sake" one black executed, there could be many more blacks dead. They need to go riot in Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Huntingdon Beach. THOSE riots wouldn't be allowed to last very long.

[hussker]

That would be boring and the Nielsen's would reflect that. Would likely need PPV to make ends meet! 49.95, all month long.

Somebody up there loves you...

[CharlieMac]

If I wanted to protest an execution, I'd go around stealing and beating up white people too.

[baseline bum]

A problem with riots in black neighborhoods, as white peoples' entertainment, is that nearly all the victims and properties are black. black-on-black crime. For the "sake" one black executed, there could be many more blacks dead. They need to go riot in Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Huntingdon Beach. THOSE riots wouldn't be allowed to last very long.

Um... no. There will be no rioting in Westwood until we beat 'SC.

[ZStomp]

Off with his head!

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If people riot because of this, they lose credibility. Rodney King was justified, but this? Didn't the guy commit murder?

Four times he committed murder (that they know of).

Fry him, and go ahead and snipe any er who riots in the name of a murderer while you're at it.