Two Groups Plan Rallies In Logan This Week

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Two Groups Plan Rallies In Logan This Week

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Posted: 12:41 AM Sep 24, 2007
Last Updated: 1:33 AM Sep 24, 2007
Reporter: Michael Wooten
Email Address: michael.wooten@wsaz.com

31 comments

A | A | A

It's a case that's received national attention. The brutal beating and torture of a young black woman.

As Megan WIlliams continues to heal, the focus goes back to Logan County where 5 of the 6 suspects will be in court this week.

Now another national civil rights group plans to be in Logan County to watch these proceedings.

Sheikh Rafi is a West Virginia native and member of the New Black Panther Nation. When he heard what happened to Megan Willimas he wanted to get involved. "a successful trip for us will be that the victim will be satisfied and that there will be more crackdown on violence of this nature."

Rafi says his group will push the prosecutor to file hate crime charges.
He says another group, the Black Panther Liberation Army will rally in Logan as well this week.

The groups have contacted the sheriff's department to let them know about their planned peacful protests.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: tyniesha on Dec 28, 2007 at 01:17 AM
i think that they would protest if the victim was white but the kkk would handle that situation if it ever happened and i think that it is right that they do this because i think the more support that the government then they would do right by her and give her the justice that she needs so forget what you talking about recognize what you see because i don't think that black people would do that to anyone and if they do then they need to be lock up like the rest of the animals in the world

Posted by: Cindy on Oct 2, 2007 at 10:32 PM
would these groups care about this if all involved were black? or the victim was white? I guess civil rights are just for blacks who are victims of crime done by whites to them. They do not care about the victims of any crime it is all about them getting on TV. All crime is done in hate. It isn't a race thing it is a evil within a person that makes them criminals.

Posted by: Loganite on Oct 2, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Was it just me or did Darrel, in the same post, say he dislikes groups that stir up racial issues AND ask the KKK to come?

Posted by: Loganite on Oct 2, 2007 at 03:07 PM
To those preaching about the end of the world and Jesus' second coming; Get a new act.

Posted by: Loganite on Oct 2, 2007 at 03:05 PM
If you don't want these groups to come here, fine. But this whole "us versus them" mentality is down right dangerous.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 26, 2007 at 10:05 PM
To anyone commenting that there is no indication that the black panther organization is coming to Logan is sadly mistaken. I myself have ties to the Logan police department as well as the Logan fire department and they have recieved contacts to prepare for the worst as a just in case measure. They still are planning to come to our little town, and are still planning to have a demonstration. My personal thoughts on this matter are that if the organization wants to help, pay her medical bills, counsel her, and speak to her as a person, not a victim. The rallies they create only make matters worse, and to do that is great publicity. A group that wants to stay firm in peoples minds has to make a name for itself, and the only way is to do outrageous acts. If we really dont want them to cause a mess, then the cameras should just go away, but hell that wouldnt be conglomerate news now would it?

Posted by: Bev on Sep 26, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Mr. Williams was on the news tonight and he begged these groups to stay away. He understands that violence begets violence. He also understands what these groups stand for by their past history. I'm sure he is afraid for his family and these groups will make it worse. If they want to support Miss Williams they need to help her with her medical bills or talk to her as a friend. I think their only agenda is to incite a riot. Anytime Al Sharpton is involved you can bet there will be violence and lies. He only speaks when something is controversial. Never when people really need.

Posted by: Sam on Sep 25, 2007 at 08:40 PM
People, could we pleeeease calm down here? The police in Logan have received no indication that any such groups are planning to come to Logan. The way people are acting, its as if they thing we are being invaded by a foreign country. Let the Panthers or whomever come,say what they've got to say, and get out. The paranoia, the "they're coming to get us" mentality is making us look as bad as the animals who started this whole thing. Just get a grip, folks. At the post office, in the stores...that's all they're talking about. GET OVER it and stop worrying so much!

Posted by: Jonathan on Sep 25, 2007 at 03:46 PM
Carl, again, you need to research. What you're reading about with regards to violence is the Black Liberation Army. This is the Black Panther Liberation Army. I know it may seem silly, but they are different groups. The Black Panther Liberation Army and the New Black Panther Nation do NOT have the violent pasts of other black-seperatist groups. I think - IF THEY SIMPLY PROTEST AND RALLY AND DO NOT COMMIT OR ENCOURAGE VIOLENCE - then they have every right in the world to be in Logan County.

Posted by: Terrie on Sep 25, 2007 at 01:35 PM
I think the prosuctor should drop all charges, and proscute just the hate crimes. That way these monster only get a max of 10 years in prison. Who cares if they spend the rest of their life in prison? When will people get the hint that just because she was black and they were white, doesn't necessary mean that they did this because of her skin color. I have to agree with some of the comments on the other articles, that these people were mean and that they would have done it to anybody, she justed happened to be handy.

Posted by: B.B. on Sep 25, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Wow, I never realized how racist and ignorant the general public in W.VA is until seeing the reaction to this case. Not one word of sympathy for what this young woman endured? I have never heard anything more horrible in my life than what happened to her. Her mother was so brave to speak out. Also how could the court system have even allowed the option of bail in a case like this? There should be no bail allowed. Finally, you guys who have posted these comments (about Abe Lincoln & the Klan) are an embarrassment to this nation.

Posted by: Richard on Sep 25, 2007 at 01:01 PM
People you all need to read the BIBLE and se what the says about. It states when brother against brother and sister against sister the END OF TIME IS NEAR.I prayer for this country every day that JSUES will come back and take his earth back that he created. So all of you in logan my prayer will be with you this week end.Just think before you do.

Posted by: Appalacia? on Sep 25, 2007 at 12:01 PM
I just wanted to make a point,1st of all people like:Al Sharpten Jesse Jackson,(I won't refer to them as REV. beacause they are NOT,)ACLU,ETC

Posted by: KT on Sep 25, 2007 at 11:07 AM
After reading some of the comments, I decided to do a little research. I Googled "The New Black Panther Party". I found it horrible! I am a white american and find it so sad to read there web site. I am not a racist person (AT ALL).... But after reading that web site it makes me so mad! I can't even believe that people are saying that "they" are a peaceful organization. It sounds like to me that they want black and white people to live in totally seperate America's! And don't think I didn't do research on the Klan as well. I did, and they are no better. But I don't see how this Panther group is going to come into WV and make a peaceful attempt to get justice.! Good Lord, cant we all get a long. It doesn't matter what color you are! I hate this stupid race issue and think it is soo imature to be making protests and crying around like a little 3rd grader. Come on. Everyone knows these people deserve life in prison. Let the courts do there job.! We do NOT want the Panthers in WV STAY OUT

Posted by: Here We Go Again on Sep 25, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Another "protest", another agenda, another way to make West Virginians look like racist inbred morons in the national media. Just Say No!

Posted by: Get Out on Sep 25, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Personally, I think the so called Black Panther Party needs to keep their butts outta Logan. For all I care the NAACP needs to be booted to. Let the county prosecutor do his job. So in the mean time if you ain't local, get out of my town. Thanks

Posted by: Darrell on Sep 25, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Jonathan: If they are indeed a peaceful group,why would they carry automatic rifles? I believe a protest,by blacks, carrying weapons in Logan or anywhere else in West Virginia will be met with a great deal of resistance and anger.

Posted by: LORI on Sep 25, 2007 at 08:22 AM
TO "NOT IMPORTANT" SINCE WHEN DID WE BECOME A NATION WHERE PEOPLE CANNOT GO WHERE EVER THEY WANT (TO AN EXTEN) BUT IF THE PANTHERS WANT TO BRING A PEACEFUL PROTEST THEN SO BE IT! WHO ARE YOU TO SAY THAT YOU DON'T WANT THEM IN WV? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT? IT SEEMS THAT MOST PEOPLE IN LOGAN COUNTY WANTS THIS SWEPT UNDER THE RUG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WELL GUESS WHAT .....IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE THIS BLOWS OVER LOGAN COUNTY. THAT COUNTY IS SCARRED AS WELL AS IT SHOULD BE!

Posted by: R.E. on Sep 25, 2007 at 04:33 AM
I'm with you ACE, seems like WSAZ doesnt post all the comments, and when things begin to get interesting, they take it off. I believe I will delete their website, too.

Posted by: jim bob on Sep 25, 2007 at 04:28 AM
I agree with ace ..Its a story about logan and wsaz wont let the people of Logan comment on the story.Must be a charleston thing.We will send the black panthers your way next so they can tell you what to post on the comments wsaz...

Posted by: ACE on Sep 24, 2007 at 10:23 PM
I like how you dont post all the comments!!!!!!!!!! I think I'll stop reading your website.

Posted by: not important on Sep 24, 2007 at 10:20 PM
jonathan if the panthers are so peaceful why do they have guns and they need to stay out of WV

Posted by: John on Sep 24, 2007 at 09:46 PM
I bet I know one person who will be there if he thinks he will be on national TV. Governor Manchen!

Posted by: Carl on Sep 24, 2007 at 07:24 PM
Jonathon, Try your search skills on Black Panther Liberation Army as the story says they will also appear. See if they seem peaceful.

Posted by: It has already started on Sep 24, 2007 at 06:55 PM
In Logan this evening a few people identifying themselves as members of the NBPP (New Black Panther Party) were already scaring the citizens of the area. I was entering McDonalds to hear a parent calling someone - may of been the local elementary principal to ask if there was someone there her child could see because the individuals inside were apparantley abusing the people inside and were part of the planned rally tomorrow. I have news for the rally participants I have done business in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia for the last 30 years and if there is something that I can attest to - the people of Appalachia will not be harassed or pushed into a box like urbanites. I ask if they are going to rally that they realize the potential for issues from other groups and the grief it may bring the citizens of this area. If you are honestly interested in justice then petition the FBI for a hate crime trial - period.

Posted by: LORI on Sep 24, 2007 at 04:36 PM
TO JOE, SO YOU HOPE THE KKK SHOWS UP AS WELL, THATS ALMOST A GUARENTEE. I THINK PEOPLE ARE FORGETTING WHO THE VICTIM IS AND THE FACT THAT THERE IS A VICTIM. DON'T FORGET MEGHAN, SHE IS THE ONE WHO WAS PUT THROUGH THINGS YOU MIGHT SEE IN HORROR MOVIES, AS A MATTER OF FACT I NEVER HEARD OR SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. SO GET OFF THE PANTHERS AND GET OFF THE KKK, AND LETS CONCENTRATE ON MEGHAN AND WHAT IS BEST FOR HER.

Posted by: Jonathan on Sep 24, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Darrell, you should have paid attention to the story. This is NOT the Black Panther Party, the group you've heard about before. This is a very small group of non-violent protestors. Research them online, because they do not have a violent past. They simply want to make sure this case is handled properly. That's certainly within their rights.

Posted by: LORI on Sep 24, 2007 at 11:49 AM
TO JOE, IT IS NOT ABOUT SOMEONE WANTING THE SPOTLIGHT. IT IS ABOUT THE 1ST AMENDMENT, "FREE SPEECH". THE PEOPLE WHO DID THESE HORRIFIC CRIMES ARE THE ONE WHO EXCALATED THIS SITUATION, WHEN THEY TREATED A HUMAN BEING WHOM HAS SOME MENTAL CHALLENGES LIKE AN ANIMAL. BUT I DO AGREE WITH ONE THING.....PROSECUTE THEM TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THAT THE LAW WILL ALLOW. EVIDENTLY THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE USED TO.

Posted by: SICK OF IT ! on Sep 24, 2007 at 11:25 AM
IF OL' ABE LINCOLN COULD SEE HOW HIS IDEAS HAVE PROGRESSED.............HE'D PROBABLY HAVE CHANGED HIS VIEWS.

Posted by: Darrell on Sep 24, 2007 at 10:39 AM
PEACEFUL PROTEST ! You have GOT to be kidding me! Groups like the Panthers are the very people that stir up race issues. I HOPE THE KLAN SHOWS UP TOO !

Posted by: Joe on Sep 24, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Thats just what we need. Everyone wants a stage. Prosecute the suspects in this matter and lets not escalate the situation in Logan.

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