STFU, Rape Culture!

Two things stand out about the case of Terry Williams: First, he allegedly suffered a traumatic childhood of sexual and physical abuse, and ultimately killed two of his alleged abusers. Second, a broad coalition of organizations, religious leaders, advocates and others — including the widow of one of his victims and several of the jurors who convicted him — are calling for clemency for Terry.

Just to recap:

• Young boy suffers horrible abuse both within and outside his family.
• Boy goes to juvenile detention, and is raped twice there.
• Boy is raped repeatedly by two middle aged men, whom he later kills when he is 17 and 18 years old.
• Boy is sentenced to death for killing the adult man who began raping him when he was 13 years old.

This is completely reprehensible. The state of Pennsylvania is responsible for the rapes that occurred while this child was in their custody. And now they want to proceed with an execution when he finally snapped and took the lives of his abusers. No one protected him. No one helped him.

This man should not lose his life. He was a victim, plain and simple. There is a petition going around, urging clemency for him. Please consider signing.