Nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace
Prize
(source: Associated Press)
From his tiny San Quentin cell, Stanley Williams spends his days on death row
writing gritty children's books about his experiences as a founder and leader of
the street gang the Crips. He also coordinates an international nonviolence
effort for at-risk youth that has led to his nomination for the 2001 Nobel Peace
Prize by a member of the Swiss Parliament.
"He has done extraordinary work," parliament member Mario Fehr told
The Associated Press on Saturday. "For these young kids that are in these
street gangs. It is one of the only opportunities to get close to them. To get
them out of the street gangs".
Williams, now 46, and high school pal Raymond Washington created the Crips in
1971 to fight rival gangs in east Los Angeles. Washington was killed in 1979.
Williams, "Big Took" to his gang, was convicted of killing 4 people in
1981 and was sentenced to death. He published the 1st of 8 children's books in
1996. His latest, Life in Prison, tells of feeling homesick and humiliated by
his experience.
Williams also created the Internet Project for Street Peace, which allows
at-risk youths in California and South Africa to share their experiences through
e-mail and chat rooms from community centers.
Williams was surprised by the nomination, said Barbara Becnel, a journalist
who edits Williams' writings. Becnel and Fehr are friends and both oppose the
death penalty. "He was wide-eyed like a child and really excited and he was
also very humbled by it," Becnel said.
Abdulahi Mohamud, who pushed for the nomination, called Williams "a great
man." Mohamud brought Williams' Internet Project for Street Peace to
Switzerland for Somali youths living there to communicate with their
counterparts in California and South Africa.
The Nobel Peace Prize's 5-member awards committee gives no hints and never
releases the names of peace prize nominees, only the number. However, those
nominating others for the award often divulge their choices in advance.
Members of national assemblies, of governments, and of the Inter- Parliamentary
Union are entitled to nominate candidates. The 2001 Nobel Peace Prize will be
awarded on Dec. 10, 2001.
(source: Associated Press)