CA NAACP takes strong stand

Among the many topics discussed at the recent California NAACP (CA NAACP) state conference in Manhattan Beach, was the case of the “Clearlake 3” in which a young man is charged with murdering his two childhood friends when they allegedly broke into a home to buy drugs.

The families of the three young African American men involved in this case, were invited to address the delegates at the convention at the behest of Ken Nelson, president of the Richmond branch of the NAACP. Two young African American men, Christian Foster and Rashad Williams were killed by homeowner, Shannon Edmonds, after they and Renato Hughes allegedly broke into the Edmonds home to rob him of the medicinal marijuana that he was growing. They escaped and Foster and Williams were shot in the back in the street. Ranato Hughes was soon arrested and charged with murder under the little used Provocative Act Doctrine which states that if someone while committing a crime provokes another person into killing an individual then the provoker can be charged with murder.

The CA NAACP passed a resolution that will form a coordinating committee to inform and increase the awareness of this issue; calls for immediate release of Renato Hughes; seeks the immediate prosecution of Shannon Edmonds, a known drug dealer, who admitted to the killing Christian Foster and Rashad Williams; asks for the immediate removal of Lake County prosecutor, Jon Hopkins; and, a change of venue for Ranato Hughes because it is felt he cannot get a fair and impartial trial in Lake County.

For more information on branch contacts and the activities of the California State Conference of the NAACP please call (916) 498-1898.