Remember back during the presidential elections when hip-hop moguls and rap artists came out and many were shoving the Vote or Die campaign down our throats and telling us how we needed to do this and that; then we found out that many of those telling us to vote did not vote themselves.
The recent life and death case of Stanley Tookie Williams has brought new leadership to the hip-hop arena.
Actor / musician Jamie Foxx and rap artist Snoop Dogg, and many others were not afraid to take a stand for what many believe is the right thing to do – spare the life of LA Crip co-founder Stanley Tookie Williams.
Many of the so called ‘influential voices’ in hip-hop culture remained unusually unheard through all of Stanley Tookie Williams struggles.
Maybe certain brands of tee shirts could not be made in time or there was not enough of a ‘platform’ for these so called ‘leaders’ to get their shine on or to make a buck on, or maybe they just do not believe that state authorized murder is wrong.
Many hip-hop and rap artists are members or are affiliated with different gangs and this is no secret; as many sport sect tattoos or talk freely about their affiliations with different groups.
So where were the so called ‘leaders’ of the hip-hop culture in all of this? It is time for us to step back and take a look at those we look to for guidance and direction. It is time to really look at who is speaking for us as a culture and their motives for their actions.
Many hip-hop related artists, activist, politicians, and real leaders took a stand on the execution of Stanley Tookie Williams and spoke out about it. These are the people we need to look to.
We need ‘leaders’ and ‘advisors’ with a true moral compass and who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, no matter what the mainstream thinks.
It seems those that had the position to make the ‘voice’ louder for the clemency of Stanley Tookie Williams were no where to be found.
To all the hip-hop grass roots activists and all the rap artists, actors, politicians, religious leaders; I would like to say we are watching. We recognize who is doing what and why action is being taken. To those who supported Stanley Tookie Williams we pledge support; to those who refused to see the struggle and to speak on it; we will remember.
All have fought a strong fight and I am sure all that could be done has been done and we can be confident that at least we tried to stop this vengeance driven government murder of Stanley Tookie Williams.
All things happen for a purpose; so we just need to see the purpose and never forget what is to happen December 13th, 2005 at 12:01A.M. (PT)
We ask for calm and not to ‘play into’ the snare that they are hoping we fall for. Time will tell what a mistake this execution is; but sadly if this goes off it will be time that Stanley Tookie Williams won’t have.
Society causes many of their own problems and then they sit back and wonder why things are like they are, there will be a lot of sitting back and thinking about this action if it is taken.
For others who have stood up for Tookie visit http://www.savetookie.org
Go to MILESTONE ENTERTAINMENT - www.milestonent.com click here to download this entire album for free!
"REDEMPTION - Hip Hop United 2 Save Stan Tookie Williams"
featuring: stic.man (of DEAD PREZ), P.O.W., PARIS, KAM, SHORTY(of Da Lenchmob), WC, TANK, RBX, KID FROST, GANGSTA RIDD(of Boo Ya Tribe), SQUEEK RU, T- K.A.S.H., BICASSO, FRONTLINE, THE SOUL SNATCHERZ and more...
Other events tonight –
Gov. Shwarzenegger denied clemecy, we are still hoping to save Stan.
SAVE STAN TOOKIE WILLIAMS!
8pm Tonight Dec 12: Large peaceful protest at San Quentin.
At 8pm at the East Gate of San Quentin Prison.
You can park on Francisco Blvd. E, but expect to walk 1
to 1.5 miles to get to the east gate. It will be dark, and there is uneven pavement. We suggest you bring a flashlight, water, and wear good shoes and warm clothing. This will be a peaceful protest. Please listen to security people and don't engage the opposition as it only encourages them.
From San Francisco:
Take 101 North and exit at E. Francisco Blvd.
From Richmond/East Bay:
Take 580 to the Richmond bridge and continue towards 101 North. Take
the first exit after you cross the bridge - Francisco Blvd.
Statewide Rallies and Vigils Against the Scheduled Execution of Stanley Tookie Williams Today and Tonight
San Francisco/San Quentin, CA
Walk for Abolition
The Walk For Abolition begins at the Palace of Legion of Honor in San Francisco at 7am and ends at the gates of San Quentin Prison (around 6pm).
You can join the whole walk of 25 miles, or you can join it in progress at specified mile markers en route, or you can show your support and talk with us at our designated rest stops. We walk peacefully as a large group over the Golden Gate Bridge and through Marin County to San Quentin. Back up van and cars are available to carry backpacks, ferry people back to designated parking and public transport sites and give respite to walkers that are tired.
For Further information on the walk and to volunteer as back-up drivers, please contact Rev. Lyle Grosjean : (510) 895-8203 or email: l.grosjean@sbcglobal.net. On the day of the walk, please call 510-368-3368.
Rallying Points
->6:45am, Palace of the Legion of Honor, in Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave, San Francisco, 94122. Walk leaves promptly at 7 am.
->8:00am, South End of Golden Gate Bridge.
->8:55am, North End of Golden Gate Bridge.
->10:40am, Head of Bay Trail in Sausalito leading to Mill Valley
->11:45am, Miller Avenue and Camino Alto for lunch and demonstration with members of Mill Valley Seniors for Peace.
->2:30pm, St. Sebastian Church, 373 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae. Rest Stop. Drinks provided.
->3:15pm, St. Paul’s Church, 1123 Court Street, San Rafael. Rest Stop. Refreshments provided.
->6:00pm, East Gate of San Quentin Prison
Denver, CO
Join The Save Stan "Tookie" Williams Campaign, and The Armstrong
(Romero) Family, in Our Quest for Justice and Ending Official
Brutality, Torture, and Murder in America
Block Party Protest Colorado State Capital 15th and Colfax
Monday December 12, 2005, 3:00pm-6:00pm
Keynote Speakers: Ernesto Vigil (Crusade for Justice), Ward Churchill
(American Indian Movement), and Ramona Africa (MOVE)
For more information, or to volunteer, contact Earl Armstrong (303)
208-9138, Shareef Aleem (720) 436-7606, or Steve Nash (720) 309-1418
Chicago
Protest for Stan
At 4:30 pm at Federal Plaza (Dearborn and Monroe). Sponsored by the Campaign
to End the Death Penalty, call 773-955-4841 for more information.
Washington DC
4:30 pm-start time
Rally will continue into the early evening
U.S. Justice Department
950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
( Pennsylvania Ave. Between 9th and 10th Streets)
Metro Center, Federal Triangle or Archives Metro Stations
For info or to endorse this emergency action, call 301-801-7616 or email cedp_dc@hotmail.com
Los Angeles
RALLY AT 6:00 P.M. December 12
WESTWOOD FEDERAL BUILDING
11000 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (Corner of Veteran) MARCH AT 8:30 P.M. to ST. Thomas the Apostle CHURCH for a VIGIL (10750 Ohio Avenue,Los Angeles, CA 90024)
Contact: EDeBode@la-archdiocese.org
Sacramento
VIGIL FROM 11PM to 12:30AM December 12
State Capitol Building
11th & L Streets
Contact: stellalevy@sbcglobal.net
Fresno
Vigil begins at 5:30 PM December 12 in front of St. John's Cathedral
Mariposa & R Streets, in downtown Fresno
Contact: maria.telesco@att.net
Riverside
Vigil at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church
Brockton & Arlington
Riverside, CA 92506
Time: 9:00pm, December 12
Orange
Circle of Orange
Chapman and Glassell Streets
5 PM – 12:15 AM, December 12
City of Orange
Orange County
Tiburon
Panel Discussion on the death penalty from the Jewish Perspective
8 - 10 PM , December 12
Congregation Kol Shofar
215 Blackfield Drive
Tiburon, CA
Pasadena
Vigil Against the Death Penalty!
All Saints Church
132 N. Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, CA
8:30-10:00 PM, December 12
Contact: mtermaat@earthlink.net
Redwood City
St. Matthias Parish
1685 Cordilleras Ave. Redwood City ,CA
Ecumenical Service from 7-9pm, December 12
Palo Alto
4 PM, December 12
Vigil in support of Williams' life, on the eve of his scheduled execution.
Bring candles, signs, and warm clothing.
Some participants may choose to carpool to San Quentin.
Corner of El Camino and Embarcadero Streets
Palo Alto, CA
Oceanside
Candle-light Vigil
Mission San Luis Rey
4070 Mission Ave.
Oceanside, CA
9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Participants are invited to bring readings to share with the group.
Chico
Silent Candlelight Prayer Vigil
Children's Park - Downtown
Begins at 7pm, December 12
contact: amylourunge@earthlink.net
San Diego
Vigil
Hall of Justice
330 West Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
3:45pm - 7pm, December 12
San Jose
March from the Mission Church in Santa Clara University
Starting at 4:00PM, December 12
End at the Cathedral in Market Street, San Jose
South Pasadena
AN EVENING OF PRAYER TO END THE DEATH PENALTY
Holy Family Church
1501 Fremont Ave.
South Pasadena,CA 91030
Begins at: 8:30 pm, December 12
Opening prayer, Presentation of the play "Prison of the Mind" and discussion to follow the play
For more information call the church at 626-799-8908
Ventura, California
SILENT CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
Ventura County Government Center
Corner of Telephone Rd. and Victoria Ave.
Monday, December 12, 8:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Bring candles, warm clothing,
Contacts: DavidHoward@aol.com or francisco.romero@csun.edu
Cleveland, Ohio
Peace In The Hood and The Task Force for Community
Mobilization will sponsor a "Save the Peace Maker" rally and vigil at
Cleveland City
Hall on December 12 at 5:30 p.m. Contact: RStandiford9@aol.com
Let us unite and protest in peace.
