Although he was recently arrested at the state Capitol building, Will Williams is not a Solidarity Singer and emphasizes that the singers do not have a “leader.”
“People participate because they know that they have the right to be there,” Williams says. For the people, he says, going to the Capitol is their only redress. This is why he goes to the people’s Capitol. Williams cites the Constitution that guarantees free speech and he feels that trying to force people to get a permit infringes on that right. For him, it goes back to the time when he was far away in Viet Nam protecting freedoms.
Always sporting a beret, William’s imposing stature draws attention to him no matter where he is. He served two tours in Viet Nam. His war experience, coupled with the wounds he received in August of 1966, impacted him greatly to this day as did the denial of his rights under Jim Crow Laws in Mississippi. He was 18 years old when he enlisted to serve our country. He did this because he wanted to leave Crystal, Mississippi, his birthplace. It was the war experience that made him more aware of the politics of war and leads him to reading and researching the history of Viet Nam.
Today, Williams is knowledgeable and never wavers when he is speaking in support of non-violence, peace, and justice. He acknowledges that he is “an angry Black Man” and this anger has created a peace activist.
Williams is a founding member of Veterans for Peace, which is a 501(c)3 not for profit educational and humanitarian organization. He is a charter member of the Madison Clarence Kailin Chapter 25 that was formed in 2003. “Throughout history, people sacrificed and were killed fighting to secure and maintain these rights, rights which have a special place in my heart and they must be maintained,” Williams says passionately.
“Many of our present laws are the descendants of Jim Crow Laws,” Will goes on to say. “They have the same effect.”
And, he admits to having a hard time believing in our government because of the history of unequal treatment and present day trampling on our rights. Williams feels that the Trayvon Martin verdict has given us the opportunity to look at laws that impact our everyday lives and work to overturn them. He spoke specifically about “The Castle Doctrine” which designates a person’s abode, or in some states, any legally occupied place, e.g. vehicle or workplace, as a place in which a person has certain protections and immunities permitting the use of force, up to and including deadly force, to defend against an intruder. The person would be free from legal responsibility and prosecution from the consequence of the force used. Governor Walker signed this into law and Williams is disappointed that the media did not publicize this and feels strongly that voices should have been raised against it.
Williams is adamant about how the separation of classes maintains the status quo and white privilege. He goes on to say, “The control of money that flows into our communities from outside often dictate the outcomes of the political process and this is a serious problem.”
Williams maintains that people speaking out and raising their voices draws attention to these issues. He is a consistent voice and protester at rallies for peace and justice. His main message is that we need to be aware and fight for all of our rights. He reminds us that during the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘60s, military veterans rallied behind Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and were central to this movement.
Williams encourages families and others to educate youth about the true history of these United States and cites Howard Zinn’s book, “The People’s History” as one of his favorites and one everyone should read. He is a great role model for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and encourages them to find alternatives to violence and bullying. Will has been married to Dorothy “Dot” Williams for 46 years and credits her for being key in his survival while in Viet Nam and upon his return. He has devoted his life to promoting peace, justice, and the building of a better community.