Thursday, March 28, 2024

25 Years After L.A. Riots Damian ‘Football’ Williams Reflects on His Life and Role in the Rebellion

Damien 'football' williams, l.a. riots, rebellion, south central, damien football williams, damien monroe williams, damien monroe, damien williams
Damian ‘Football’ Williams as he appeared in the 90s (left) and Williams in the visiting area of Calipatria State Prison, 2017 (right).

*Damian Monroe “Football” Williams never intended to make history, or revolt. But he wanted to make a name for himself, in South Central Los Angeles.

Damien Football Williams
The house Damian “Football” Williams grew up in — 71st Street between Florence and Raymond in South Los Angeles – Photo: Billie Jordan

In the decade leading up to the 1992 Riots, Williams sat on his porch and watched the happenings between Florence and Raymond, on 71st street. What he saw was the swagger of a brotherhood; bound by secrets, flashy cars, and fast cash.

Eventually, the high school football star ventured off the porch to get a closer look.

“I wanted a part of [it.] So, I joined a gang… which I thought was everything, at the time – and it took me on a real rough journey in life.”

The journey started with an initiation to the Eight Tray-Gangster, Crips; a South Los Angeles gang; renowned nationwide for its ruthlessness.

“It was like a job, I got up every morning, pressed my clothes and I went out to be the best at it,” Williams said.

Williams looked up to the gangsters, the hustlers, and the old men on the street and developed thickened skin. He proved value and loyalty to the top respected of a brotherhood and gained ghetto-notoriety running with — legends say — one of the fiercest urban gangs of America’s 90s.

“We were all misguided, he said.”

April 29, 1992

That formidable Wednesday, the 18-year-old’s mob-persona took center-stage and played a notorious role at the intersection of Florence and Normandie.

It was three hours after the Rodney King verdict, in which a Simi Valley jury found four white Los Angeles police officers not-guilty for the brutal, video captured, beating of Rodney King, a black man.

Williams threw a brick, striking Reginald Denny, a white man, in the head after rioters pulled Denny from his truck; they beat him, senseless.

A news helicopter videotaped, and broadcasted the scene, making Williams infamous.

That day, Williams achieved not only a name for himself, but a nefarious position in American history.

25 years later, the 44-year-old reflects on his life, his role in the riots, and tells who he is now.

smithsonian50The riots

“It was like a toxic bomb was inside of my mind and at that particular time I was saying to myself how can we get some get back – from what’s been happening to us all these years in South Central.”

1992 Los angeles riots, 1992 L.A. Riots, damien williams, L.A. four
Footage: 1992 L.A. Riots

Still, if he could go back in time:

“No. [I would not have been a part of it.] I would be far from that intersection. I want the world to know that –  that individual in 1992 no longer exists, he said.”

The L.A. Four

Antione Miller, Henry Watson, and Damien Williams
Antione Miller, Henry Watson, and Damian Williams

The L.A. Four – Williams and Watkins, Antione Miller and Gary Williams were South Central residents arrested, and charged in connection with Reginald Denny’s beating in the first few hours of the 1992 riots.

Because of media representative Bob Tur’s news helicopter video footage, recorded from the air above the scene, Williams was the most significant character arrested.

Williams charged with attempted murder, aggravated mayhem was sentenced 10 years, for his role in the riots. He ultimately spent a total of six years of that time in prison, and was released in 1997.

damien williams, L.A. Riots
1992: A police car and officers during the L.A. Riots earliest stages – Before they took off and left the city on its own.

Did the L.A. Four start the riots?

Mural on 69 Street and Raymond - Photo Credit: Billie Jordan, damien williamsm henry watson, damien 'football' williams, football
Mural in Williams and Watson’s neighborhood; 69 Street and Raymond depicting three of the L.A. Four; Antione Miller, Henry Watson, Damian ‘Football’ Williams – Photo Credit: Billie Jordan
Mural on 69 Street and Raymond - Photo Credit: Billie Jordan, damien williamsm henry watson
Mural in Williams and Watson’s neighborhood; 69 Street and Raymond – Photo Credit: Billie Jordan

“No, we didn’t start the riots,” Williams said. Chanting-protestors surrounded officers on the scene, and when an officer threw someone over a fence and then assaulted a man trying to help, the crowd grew angrier. Outnumbered, the police left the scene – reportedly to get equipment to help handle the crowd. They never returned.

Where are they now?

  • Antione Miller, and Gary Williams

Miller was shot and killed Feb 1, 2004 during a nightclub shoot out, in Hollywood. Officials said his murder may have been gang related.

And Gary Williams is recovering from a long-term drug addiction, according to friends.

Reginald Denny

Reginald Denny, moved to Arizona and continued to drive trucks. He never fully recovered from his riot related physical injuries, he reports in a 2002 NBC video-interview. He said he doesn’t hold grudges, or hatred; blacks were responsible, but other blacks saved his life.

Though Watson participated in the beating, placing his foot on Denny’s neck, he also stopped rioters from continuing to hurt Denny, said neighborhood friend Roosevelt Tellis, founder of “Safe Passage,” an organization that help South Central L.A.’s youth move safely through their communities.

Damian ‘Football’ Williams today

To Georgiana Williams, Damian is her baby boy. Though still imprisoned, he has a surprising demeanor, an easy smile, and he enjoys reading.  As a small-boy, Williams spent summers in Vicksburg Mississippi; so, he speaks with a southern drawl and hospitality.

Williams has read “Yoga for beginners,” “The Spirit of Man,” and “Denmark Vesey: The Buried Story of America’s Largest Slave Rebellion and the Man Who Led It.” His influences include Nelson Mandala, Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, and Prophet Muhammad.

“I went through a great transformation, throughout this ordeal – I have been able to purify my mind and my heart. By doing that I’ve taken on great ideas and I have great drive to make things better in the community that [I helped destroy,]” Williams said.

Damian ‘Football’ Williams is currently on year 13, serving a 46-year-sentence in Calipatria, a California State Prison.

“I want love and healing to come back to the community,” Williams said.

Follow this link for the actual interview; Questions and Answers with Damian Williams and EURweb associate, Billie Jordan.

Photo Gallery

 

 

 

source:
Billie Jordan
[email protected]

 

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