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December 21, 2005

Execution. Gangs. Repentence.

The AP story about the Tookie Williams funeral certainly makes it seem like the Crips still claim him, even if he had repented of founding them, but it doesn't sound as though they were invited inside to hear the inspirational message of peace, since they're watching from the parking lot.

The Reuters version mentions that: "Outside the church, several dozen young men wore the signature blue T-shirts and baseball caps of the Crips gang. Some wore blue bandannas over their faces to conceal their identity." Guess they didn't read the children's book?

The article ends:

A brief scuffle broke out between apparent members of rival gang factions after the funeral and was broken up by security personnel by the Nation of Islam.

Despite the repeated calls inside the chapel for peace, three gunshots rang out from one of the streets nearby as the crowd broke up, prompting some to duck for cover.

Police said that no one had been hurt and that no arrests had been made.

I'm sorry that didn't make the AP version.

Posted by CrankyProfessor at December 21, 2005 7:46 AM