Opinions about Crips co-founder Stanley “Tookie” Williams” execution are rolling in, and the outrage isn’t limited to the west coast.
Much of the dissent is coming from Europe, and more specifically, Austria, which is the native home to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s native home. Several Austrian politicians are pushing for The Terminator’s name to be removed from an Austrian stadium.
Many Europeans regard capital punishment as a barbaric practice and news of Tookie’s execution drew a reaction from current Catholic Church head, Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope’s top official for justice issued a statement denouncing the execution.
“We know the death penalty doesn’t resolve anything,”Cardinal Renato Martino told AP Television News. “Even a criminal is worthy of respect because he is a human being. The death penalty is a negation of human dignity.”
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After fighting for his life for nearly three decades, Williams exhausted all legal appeals and his final chance for mercy rested with Schwarzenegger, who was unmoved despite a mountain of support for Tookie.
The California head man cited a lack of atonement and the effectiveness of Tookie’s anti-gang message.
“It is hard to assess the effect of such efforts in concrete terms, but the continued pervasiveness of gang violence leads one to question the efficacy of Williams’ message,” Schwarzenegger said. “Williams co-founded the Crips, a notorious street gang that has contributed and continues to contribute to predatory and exploitative violence.”
Stanley “Tookie” Williams was pronounced dead shortly after midnight Pacific time.
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Source: Associated Press, AFP
