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Snoop Speaks For Tookie, Radio Station Calls For Death of Crips' Founder
Snoop Dogg spoke at a rally outside of the San Quentin federal prison to protest the upcoming execution of Crips gang founder Stanley "Tookie" Williams.
Snoop joined thousands on Saturday (November 19) at the protest. The Dogfather recently saw his application to visit Williams denied.
"Stanley 'Tookie' Williams is not a regular guy, he's an inspiration," Snoop said at the rally. "All I want to say to the governor is it's about keeping this man alive because his voice needs to be heard."
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will rule on Williams' clemency petition in the next few weeks.
Williams was sentenced to death in 1981 for killing four people in two robberies. He is scheduled to be executed on December 13. During his years on death row at San Quentin, Williams has garnered international praise for penning books aimed at keeping children out of gangs, among other peace-preaching efforts.
Further attention was brought to Williams' case by an award-winning television biopic, Redemption: The Stan 'Tookie' Williams Story. The film starred Jamie Foxx as Williams. The oscar-winning actor is also among the supporters seeking clemency for Williams.
Meanwhile, back at the rally, Snoop delivered the last speech outside the main gates of San Quentin. Former gang members, religious leaders and representatives of the Nation of Islam also spoke at the protest.
While many support Williams, state officials think the former gang leader is a merciless and remorseless killer and feel he deserves death by lethal injection. In a recent interview from prison, Williams stressed that he was innocent. According to former gang member Diego Garcia, Williams' writing helped him put gang life behind after over 10 years.
"I was completely lost, but after reading his books, it inspired me," Garcia shared. "I related to him. He was also a gang member who changed his life around."
Snoop agrees that Williams serves as a role model to troubled youths. The Long Beach rapper believes it will crush the hope of kids attempting to leave the gang life if Williams is executed.
"On the street we don't have no role models, we don't have no leaders," Snoop offered.
However, authorities in California disagree. In opposition to Williams' clemency letter, the Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley wrote, "Stanley Williams does not deserve this mercy. Despite the overwhelming nature of the evidence against him and despite the nonexistence of any credible defense, Stanley Williams has steadfastly refused to take any responsibility for the brutal, destructive and murderous acts he committed."
In related news, a Los Angeles radio station KFI 640 AM recently kicked off the "Kill Tookie Hour." Helmed by radio personalities John and Ken from the "John and Ken Show," the program airs at 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday. The show is slated to air until the former gang founder's execution on December 13. The who immediately sparked controversy in the Los Angeles area.
"The core and the manner of the on-air remarks, which were extremely distasteful towards Williams and his plight, were extraordinarily disturbing and offensive," stated Jasmyne Cannick of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable. "I urge the Federal Communications Commission to examine this incident - particularly in light of other recent, similarly offensive attempts at 'entertainment' by KFI 640 AM host John Zeigler, who tried to find humor in the death of attorney Johnny Cochran claiming he was going 'straight to hell' for defending a killer [O.J. Simpson] - and to take any and all actions consistent with applicable FCC rules and regulations."
Cannick added that the station could land in hot water if they keep calling for Williams' death. Activists are set to protest and demand FCC action against the show at Los Angeles' Lucy Florence Coffee House at 11 a.m. PST today.
Source: sohh.com
Snoop joined thousands on Saturday (November 19) at the protest. The Dogfather recently saw his application to visit Williams denied.
"Stanley 'Tookie' Williams is not a regular guy, he's an inspiration," Snoop said at the rally. "All I want to say to the governor is it's about keeping this man alive because his voice needs to be heard."
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will rule on Williams' clemency petition in the next few weeks.
Williams was sentenced to death in 1981 for killing four people in two robberies. He is scheduled to be executed on December 13. During his years on death row at San Quentin, Williams has garnered international praise for penning books aimed at keeping children out of gangs, among other peace-preaching efforts.
Further attention was brought to Williams' case by an award-winning television biopic, Redemption: The Stan 'Tookie' Williams Story. The film starred Jamie Foxx as Williams. The oscar-winning actor is also among the supporters seeking clemency for Williams.
Meanwhile, back at the rally, Snoop delivered the last speech outside the main gates of San Quentin. Former gang members, religious leaders and representatives of the Nation of Islam also spoke at the protest.
While many support Williams, state officials think the former gang leader is a merciless and remorseless killer and feel he deserves death by lethal injection. In a recent interview from prison, Williams stressed that he was innocent. According to former gang member Diego Garcia, Williams' writing helped him put gang life behind after over 10 years.
"I was completely lost, but after reading his books, it inspired me," Garcia shared. "I related to him. He was also a gang member who changed his life around."
Snoop agrees that Williams serves as a role model to troubled youths. The Long Beach rapper believes it will crush the hope of kids attempting to leave the gang life if Williams is executed.
"On the street we don't have no role models, we don't have no leaders," Snoop offered.
However, authorities in California disagree. In opposition to Williams' clemency letter, the Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley wrote, "Stanley Williams does not deserve this mercy. Despite the overwhelming nature of the evidence against him and despite the nonexistence of any credible defense, Stanley Williams has steadfastly refused to take any responsibility for the brutal, destructive and murderous acts he committed."
In related news, a Los Angeles radio station KFI 640 AM recently kicked off the "Kill Tookie Hour." Helmed by radio personalities John and Ken from the "John and Ken Show," the program airs at 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday. The show is slated to air until the former gang founder's execution on December 13. The who immediately sparked controversy in the Los Angeles area.
"The core and the manner of the on-air remarks, which were extremely distasteful towards Williams and his plight, were extraordinarily disturbing and offensive," stated Jasmyne Cannick of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable. "I urge the Federal Communications Commission to examine this incident - particularly in light of other recent, similarly offensive attempts at 'entertainment' by KFI 640 AM host John Zeigler, who tried to find humor in the death of attorney Johnny Cochran claiming he was going 'straight to hell' for defending a killer [O.J. Simpson] - and to take any and all actions consistent with applicable FCC rules and regulations."
Cannick added that the station could land in hot water if they keep calling for Williams' death. Activists are set to protest and demand FCC action against the show at Los Angeles' Lucy Florence Coffee House at 11 a.m. PST today.
Source: sohh.com
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