Tonight at 7:00 pm, our tax dollars will pay for people to go to work so they can strap a man to a gurney, open up a viewing window for spectators, ask him if he wishes to say any last words, and then legally execute him. The man is Troy Davis and if you haven't heard about his case during the years since his 1991 conviction, I'm certain you've heard about it this month. Davis has been fighting for a clemency ruling that would spare him the death penalty for the 1989 murder of off-duty Georgia police officer Mark MacPhail.
While Davis has maintained his claim of innocence from the beginning, the courts continue to uphold the conviction. This is particularly troubling given the substantial amount of doubt and controversy surrounding the case. Davis' conviction was based entirely upon witness testimony, much of which was even riddled with inconsistencies during his trial.
However, since his conviction, all but two of these non-police witnesses (7 of 9) have either retracted or contradicted their testimony. Some of the witnesses even stated in sworn affidavits that they were coerced into giving their original testimony, and one of the two witnesses who has not recanted their statement is Sylvester Coles (aka "Red"), who also happens to be the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense. In fact, NINE individuals have even signed affidavits that implicate Coles in the 1989 murder. Also, at least three jurors from Davis' trial have said that they now have a different decision from the one they originally gave, with one juror even saying, "If I knew then what I know now, Troy Davis wouldn't be on death row." Despite all of this, Georgia's Superior Court and Parole Board continue to deny Davis' appeal for clemency (most recently by blocking his request to take a polygraph test--- a decision made yesterday) leading to worldwide outrage among those who have supported Davis (and those who simply believe in justice). This execrable decision renders the Board's 2007 vow to not authorize an execution unless there is "no doubt" about guilt meaningless.
Today is Davis' fourth scheduled execution date, and even though 7p.m. is fast approaching, we cannot give up hope or become indolent during this critical time. Nearly one million people have taken a stand for Troy Davis (including former President Carter of Georgia, Pope Benedict XVI, former FBI Director and Georgia native William Sessions, former President George W. Bush, Bob Barr (the former prosecutor, Georgia Attorney General, and congressional Representative), etc.). If you haven't, please do so now. We simply canNOT afford to remain disengaged on such critical issues, especially those so central to intrinsic human rights. As a Georgia resident, I'm ashamed by the inaction of our state officials. By preparing to kill a person who may very well be innocent, Georgia is about to do something truly abhorrent. This decision, if not reversed, will likely cause many Georgians, as well as Americans, to lose faith in our justice system. If you live in Georgia (or one of the numerous other cities that has planned organized actions), please consider attending the 5:30 p.m. vigil at the prison in Jackson or the 6 p.m vigil at the Georgia State Capitol.
Ways you can take action:
Call or fax the Parole Board (ask them to reconsider their decision by granting Troy Davis clemency and keep trying if the line is busy)
Phone: 404-656-0693 and 404-656-5651
Fax: 404-651-8502 and 404-651-6670
Call or fax Larry Chisolm (Savannah District Attorney; ask him to encourage the local judge to vacate the execution warrant)
Phone: 912-652-7308
Fax:912-652-7328
Call Penny Haas Freesman (the local judge; ask her to vacate the warrant)
Phone: 912-652-7252
Call Nathan Deal (GA Governor; ask him to use his political influence to urge the board to grant Davis clemency)
Phone: 404-656-1776
Vigil at 6 p.m. at the Georgia State Capitol:
206 Washington Street
Atlanta, GA 30334
Vigil at 5:30 p.m. at the Towaliga County Line Baptist Church located across the street from the prison in Jackson, GA:
153 Short Road
Jackson, GA 30233
Knowing is not enough. You must fight injustice.
