Thug Life Army

Stanley Tookie Williams III was born December 29, 1953. He was the co-founder, along with Raymond Washington, of the widely-known Crips street gangs in Los Angeles, California. He was executed December 13^th, 2005 by the state of California in the name of justice but with the face of vengeance.

In 1981, Stanley Tookie Williams was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1979 murders of four people in two separate incidents. Stanley Tookie Williams had always claimed his innocence in these crimes.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Stan Tookie Williams grew up in an impoverished South Central Los Angeles where he made a name for himself for being a fighter and a ‘general’ on the streets of South Central's West Side.

Many people sometimes mistakenly believe that "Tookie" is a gang nickname, but in fact it was his middle name, shared by Stanley Williams and his father, Stanley T. Williams Jr.

The east side Crips were formed by Raymond "Truck" Washington in 1969. Williams joined Washington in 1971, forming the west side Crips.

Recently many had spoke out asking California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant Stanley Tookie Williams clemency after all other appeals had failed.

Many rallies and protests were held by and or attended by hip-hop grass roots activist, many influential hip-hop and rap artists, religious leaders, politicians, Hollywood notables, death penalty opponents and many from every walk of life.

Stanley Tookie Williams had turned his life around while in prison and wrote many books, some directed toward children trying to inform them of the dangers of ‘gang life’.

In 2001 Stanley Tookie Williams was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. His life in prison had become exactly what the prison system is supposed to want to see; a reformed inmate who became a contributor to society.

Although he was on death row, his life had impact to many youth across the country. His murder will have long lasting effects on the condition of the youth’s outlook on the government and his death has set the example that no matter how much you change or how much you gain in knowledge and redemption, if they want you dead you are dead.

There was no justice in the killing of Stanley Tookie Williams, it was vengeance fueled. Many were blaming Mr. Williams for everything any member of the Crips or any other street gang has done in history. Stanley Tookie Williams was the fall guy for all gang violence in the US. Tookie is dead but most likely the street violence will continue.

R.I.P. – Stanley Tookie Williams