Chris Goossens
The hip-hop community is going through ample pain right now. Rap stars T.I., Meek Mill, Big Boi and more have come forward to speak out on the controversial execution of Alabama prison inmate Nathaniel Woods.
Big Facts
On Friday, social media erupted with handfuls of celebrity reactions to Woods’ death. T.I. took personal offense to Woods not having more time to prove his innocence while Meek demanded lynching to become banned.
“Stay of execution was lifted. So they are going to LYNCH Nate Woods in 2020. Let’s be honest about this. THIS IS NOT A MISTAKE! THIS ISN’T BY CHANCE! They have definite intentions to steal kill & destroy US! Make NO MISTAKES ABOUT IT! And to the King Nate Woods & his family. I truly apologize that I didn’t become aware of what y’all were going through & act sooner. Please know that WE WILL STILL BE FIGHTING FOR YOU TO BRING JUSTICE TO YOUR FAMILY & HOLD THESE EVIL PEOPLE WHO HIDE BEHIND THE LAW ACCOUNTABLE!!! GOD WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH… So laugh it up now Governor Kay Ivey God will have a special place prepared for you where you WILL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR ALL YOUR WICKEDNESS!!! I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to get it done. I’m completely distraught & discouraged & outraged all at the same time… but I KNOW THERES A GREATER PURPOSE. May God accept you into your next phase of existence Nate. I’ve never met you but somehow I Love You brother & I’m moved by your bravery!!! You’re a freedom fighter and a martyr for our culture. We won’t forget you. I’m so fuckin sad about this shit. I’m trying SO HARD TO NOT HARBOR HATE IN MY HEART & I URGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME… thank you to all of you who tried. I’m done. F*ck This Sh*t…” – T.I.
“A black man that didn’t kill nor plan to kill got lynched in 2020 in Alabama! As a black man how can you believe in the American justice system. That shit gotta change and if you are white and not a racist, STEP UP because you guys have majority control over the system today!!! Lynching should be banned off the simple fact they used to do that to slaves!” – Meek Mill
High-Key Details
On Thursday, rap star Kanye West‘s wife Kim Kardashian petitioned to save Woods‘ life prior to his execution.
Nathaniel Woods is scheduled to be executed in Alabama TONIGHT for murders he did NOT commit. Join the broad coalition- including members of the jury and relatives of the victims – in urging Governor Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall to stay Nate’s execution. – Kim Kardashian
Wait, There’s More
Co-defendant in the case Kerry Spencer wrote a letter earlier this week in an effort to clear Woods’ name and take the blame for killing the three officers.
Before You Go
Alabama Death Row inmate Nathaniel Woods was executed for the murder of three Birmingham police officers in 2004, despite co-defendant, Kerry Spencer, pleading Woods’ innocence. Police entered the apartment where they thought the pair were dealing drugs, and three officers were shot and killed while another was wounded. Both were sentenced to death the following year on conviction of capital murder. However, Spencer reportedly even said himself that Woods had nothing to do with the killings.
Woods’ lawyers alongside a plethora of activists and citizens petitioned Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to stop the execution, but it ultimately did not work. A temporary halt to reconsider the punishment was ordered by the Supreme Court several minutes before it was to take place but shortly after, the request was denied. He died by lethal injection on Thursday night at 42 years old.
