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Hip-Hop Activist Assembles Rapper and DJ Volunteers

November 19th, 2005
Toronto -- In an added effort to save the life of
death row inmate Stan "Tookie" Williams, Los Angeles
Crips gang founder turned Nobel Peace Prize nominee,
Toronto's Pride News Magazine covered the launch of a
Canadian "Save Tookie" chapter, fighting for Williams'
clemency.

Williams, co-founder of the infamous L.A. Crips gang,
was convicted of killing four individuals in
California. Yet while he admits to his gang
involvement, he maintains he is not guilty of the
charges he has been sentenced for.

While in prison, Williams has turned his life around,
authoring several children's books with distinct
anti-gang, anti-violence themes. Tookie's literary and
humanitarian efforts, including his life-saving
personal mentorship, have earned him several Nobel
Peace Prize nominations.

His intriguing story was turned into the 2004 Sundance
and Cannes recognized film "Redemption" - which was
filmed in Toronto and starred Jamie Foxx as Tookie
Williams.

"We can't let [the execution] happen," Foxx told Fox
News at the October 30 New York premiere of "Jarhead",
his latest film. "We've got to do everything we can to
get the word out."

Tookie is set to be executed on December 13, which is
also Foxx's 38th birthday. Raoul S. Juneja, a.k.a.
Deejay Ra, has worked closely with Williams' co-author
Barbra Becnel - who was played by Lynn Whitfield in
"Redemption" - and Juneja has now established a "Save
Tookie" Canada branch, working out of a home studio
with his Toronto rapper and DJ colleagues volunteering
their time.

Juneja told Pride reporter Roger Love, "Like Tookie's
co-author Barbara Becnel points out in her Tookie
awareness flyer, clemency is not a pardon, it is
simply a request for mercy, so, instead of the death
sentence, a prisoner will be jailed for life without
the possibility of parole. I think wrongful conviction
cases of Canadians like Steven Truscott and David
Milgaard, who were saved from execution, has
fortunately turned Canadians against the death
penalty, and we believe Stan 'Tookie' Williams has
been wrongfully convicted."

Juneja, of Lyrical Knockout Entertainment, explains
that the move to save Williams is one that is
especially relevant to Canadians this year, due to the
increase in gun violence in Toronto.

"I would strongly advise Canadian parents, teachers
and, especially students, to learn about the case and
the positive effect supporting Tookie and his books
could have on Canadian cities like Toronto, who are
trying to decrease gang-related violence."

"A 'Save Tookie' awareness flyer is also available on
his Tookie.com website, which can be printed out. And
testimonies of support for Tookie are also posted
online from the American Library Association and
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, among many others."

Juneja adds, "I hope Canadian teachers will also
consider reading from Tookie's books to their class or
showing their students the Jamie Foxx 'Redemption'
movie about Tookie's life. This week, we will also be
releasing a 'Save Tookie' Canadian hip-hop tribute
song, featuring Muslim rapper Imaan Faith, as well as
setting up some Toronto school readings and
performances to raise awareness."

Despite the high profile of the campaign's supporters,
and the fact that famed California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger is the only one who can grant Williams'
clemency, Juneja worries that the lack of media
attention and time may hurt Williams' chances.

"Time is of the essence, with only a month left before
Tookie's execution date. I know kids are tied up with
holiday exams at the end of their semesters, but they
don't need to be legal students to get involved. Even
if you're just a fan of Jamie Foxx, or a fan of
hip-hop and R&B music, I think this case should be of
immediate interest."

Juneja, who is organizing as many public-speaking
engagements as possible to spread the word, urges
Canadians join the struggle.

"Please help us show the international community that
Toronto and Canada chose mercy over revenge and
redemption over condemnation, in late 2005, when Nobel
Peace Prize nominee Stan 'Tookie' Williams needed our
support."

For more about the "Save Tookie" clemency petition
signed by teachers, professors, juvenile correctional
officers and law enforcement officials around the
world, visit the new SaveTookie.org website, or in
Canada e-mail: deejay_ra@chrwradio.com