h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hey guys,
Stanley Tookie Williams was the co-founder of the Crips (the gang) and
he was charged to the death row for killing four people. A rather
biased jury found him guilty, though he never admitted to committing
the crime. This October the Supreme Court denied Stan's last appeal,
so he is to be executed.

Some people may have heard of him. In the last twenty years that he
spent serving in prison, he's written his own memoirs as well as nine
books for children about gangs. He had been nominated for the Nobel
literature/Prize five times for helping more than 150000 lives. Or you
may have seen the movie Redemption (Jamie Foxx) which was based on his
life (which I've never watched :p ).

It cannot be denied that he's made some horrid decisions in past yet
Stanley is doing some good, regardless of whether he was innocent or
not. His work in prison might not have redeemed or made up for the
past actions, and nobody may forgive him for murder, but at least he's
giving back to society and is at peace with himself. He's such a
positive influence and now we want to kill him.

The governor of California is the only person right now who can grant
a pardon for Stan, who is only fifty one. Know that even if he's
pardoned by the governor, Stan still has to serve life in prison; but
I reckon that it will be a meaningful one.

I just found out about this in Issues class yesterday when Sabra told
us about the upcoming execution. Even if we do not sign the petition,
at least now we are aware of who we are enforcing capital punishment
on.

So I googled and found this petition online
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/stw4804/

If you're not fond of petitions or you have have spare time I was
thinking that maybe we could all write a short email to the governor
of CA: Arnold Schwarzenegger, who will be meeting with Stan's lawyer
and others to decide whether he is to die on the 13th. This clemency
hearing will be on the 8th.

The governor's email address is [email protected]

But the faster web form is at http://www.govmail.ca.gov

His address is:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633

If you want a response from the governor's office, please be sure to
include your name and address :p I'm certain that somebody will reply
back.

If I were to die on December 13th, I guess I would just like a sign
that somebody in this world cares. Even if it was as simple as "I
believe you should live"

Hi-ho, thanks for reading.

Yours,
Lily

yeah I signed the petiton, Elwyn. Very happy to do so.

There was a feature on him on BBC radio the other day. This guy definitely deserves to live and is truly inspirational doing what he has done while on death row. I don't believe in the death penalty for anyone. Being locked up in prison is a horrible punishment in itself. I reckon if he's allowed to live he can only do more good by carrying on with his work!

Hope things are going well for you Elwyn,

red

You're quite wonderful Red

School's just fine, dearie, fine. I really enjoyed my biology class. Now I'm suppose to be doing a presentation on Corrie ten Boom

I think I know my top choice for School next year. I love the University of Chicago

I´ve signed it as well.

There are never any reasons that can justify capital punishment.

Fingers crossed tonight, then.