Stan "Tookie" Williams' execution on California's Death Row has been set for one minute past midnight on December 13, according to Prof. Phil Gasper's
article on CounterPunch today. There is a shocking rush to kill the one person who has been most effective in curbing gang violence and membership. This haste make no sense -- at this point, only extraordinary public pressure is going to put a brake on it .
Tookie Williams' story is one of extraordinary redemption. A co-founder of the Crips, he was framed and imprisoned for murder. In prison, he completely turned his spirit around. From prison, he has deterred many, many people from gang life and saved countless lives. His acts have earned Tookie Nobel Peace Prize nominations and other distinguished awards.
We imprison criminals, in part, so that they will turn around. Here is one man who has turned around, in a spectacular, meaningful manner -- a shining example to whom kids on the street will actually listen. Kossacks, Tookie's death is going to send a very, very bad message.
Prof. Gasper explains Tookie's work from prison:
The details of Williams' case are familiar, so I won't repeat them here. Suffice to say that the co-founder of the Crips street gang was framed for four murders in 1979, but has since renounced his past and in his nine-by-four-foot cell, written nine books for children attempting to deromanticize gangs, crime and prison. One of them, Life in Prison, has received two national book honors, including an award from the American Library Association. It has been used in schools, libraries, juvenile correctional facilities and prisons throughout the United States and around the world, including Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town's South Africa. Williams has also recorded two anti-gang public service announcements for radio that have aired on stations across the United States.
More than 70,000 people have sent emails to Stan's web site expressing appreciation for his work, many saying they have opted not to join gangs or have withdrawn from gang membership as a result of reading his books. Messages like this one are typical:
My name is J__ and I was a member of a Los Angeles street gang. I would just like to let you know how big of an impact your story had on my life. Your works have made me realize the self-destruction that my involvement in a gang was causing. I love you for that. I pray for you every night. I wish you the best of luck on any further works. Thank you for saving my life.
In 2001, Williams began providing live mentoring sessions via the telephone to incarcerated youths - teenage boys and girls - in California juvenile correctional facilities. He has also writes on a quarterly basis one- to two-page positive communiqués of encouragement to these same jailed youths. His written messages have such potency and influence that juvenile correctional officers have started using them as an official part of their exit-interview process for young people who have served their time and are allowed to go home.
You can help with prayers and letters:
savetookie.org
Campaign to End the Death Penalty
email Governor Schwartzenegger