Denied clemency by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stanley Tookie Williams has been executed. In a very bizarre ritual, MSNBC is at this moment featuring a panel of witnesses who are describing Tookie Williams' death. The panel appears to be comprised entirely of journalists.
The execution should have been broadcast live.
If we're going to continue the horrifically barbaric practice, we should at least be honest enough to witness it. Apparently, we the people are too delicate to witness the murders that are performed in our name.
Following is a description of the rally outside San Quentin and then an excerpt from an interview with Tookie Williams.
More than 1,500 people gathered Monday night at the gates of San Quentin to keep an emotional vigil for condemned killer Stanley Tookie Williams. It was the biggest gathering at San Quentin since California reinstituted the death penalty with the execution of Robert Alton Harris in 1992.
Jamie Kelly of Corte Madera kept watch with her 7-year-old son.
"We've come here tonight to support Tookie," she said. "If it's not OK for my son to hit someone at school, how is it OK for the state of California to kill people?"
The crowd included celebrities such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, singer Joan Baez and actor Mike Farrell of "Mash" TV fame.
The Rev. Jackson also visited with Williams a few hours before his execution time. He said the convicted killer encouraged his supporters to remain calm upon his death.
But like many others in the crowd, Jackson said he was upset by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to not to grant clemency.
"Clemency is not based on guilt or innocence," Jackson said. "Clemency is based upon redemption and it's based upon grace and he's earned that by the virtue of his work. . . . He'll be martyred as a force for good."
An interview with Stanley Tookie Williams, speaking from San Quentin death row:
THE MEDIA has made much of the fact that you have never apologized to the murder victims' families in your case-you've said that you would rather die than lie about something you didn't do. Do you have anything you would like to say to the victims' families?
If I had the opportunity to talk to talk to any victims' family members, I would say that I can empathize and I sympathize with their loss of a loved one. I would say the same thing to anyone who has lost a loved one.
However, in regards to me apologizing, it would be wrong of me to apologize for something I didn't do. I didn't commit those crimes. I've been averring my innocence since day one, and it is the truth. So I cannot apologize for something I didn't do.
It would be wrong of me. It would be a coward's act. I would be craven to proclaim guilt for something I didn't do. And that's why I say that I'd rather just go on and die than to lie about something that is so untrue.
What made you decide to redirect your life and dedicate yourself to helping kids?
I've lived a pathetic life, and I believe it was education that helped me to change. It was through education that I was able to create common sense and use reasoning. And it was through this that I developed a conscience that led to my redemption.
This is something I feel I was obligated to do as a man, period-to do something that would help youth out there. I feel obligated to try to convince them that the life that they wanted to live or are thinking about living-the so-called thug life, or the gang life, or the criminal life, or the drug life-will ruin their lives forever. I was motivated to do something in my small way-to make a contribution.
Tookie Williams death penalty California Arnold Schwarzenegger Execution
