Stand strong, stand together on the Global Day of Solidarity for Troy Davis this Friday, Sept. 16!

Short video featuring Troy’s sister Martina Davis-Correia

by Angela Davis

I urgently appeal to Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and to the members of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole – L. Gale Buckner, Robert E. Keller, James E. Donald, Albert Murray and Terry Barnard – to spare the life of Troy Davis, a young African American citizen of your state.

I hope everyone within sight or sound of my words or my voice will likewise urgently call and fax Gov. Neal and the members of the board. Under Georgia law, only they can stop the execution of Troy Davis.

First of all, there is very compelling evidence that Troy Davis may be innocent of the murder of Police Officer Mark MacPhail in 1989 in Savannah. The case against Davis has all but collapsed: Seven of nine witnesses against him have recanted their testimony and said that they were pressured by police to lie, and nine other witnesses have implicated one of the remaining two as the actual killer. No weapon or physical evidence linking Davis to the murder was ever found. No jury has ever heard this new information, and four of the jurors who originally found him guilty have signed statements in support of Mr. Davis.

More importantly, the planned execution of a likely innocent young Black man in the state of Georgia has become a terrible blot on the status of the United States in the international community of nations. All modern industrial and democratic nations and 16 states within the United States have abolished capital punishment. The fact that the overwhelming majority of the men and women on death rows across the country are Black and other people of color – and are universally poor – severely undermines our country’s standing in the eyes of the people of the world.

Most importantly, the execution of Troy Davis will contribute to an atmosphere of violence and racism and a devaluation of life itself within our country. If we can execute anyone, especially a man who may be innocent of any crime, it fosters disrespect for the law and life itself. This exacerbates every social problem at a time when the people of our country face some of the most difficult challenges regarding our economic security and future.

I urge everyone to join with me in urging Gov. Neal and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole to stay the execution of Troy Davis and commute his death sentence. Give this young man a life and an opportunity to prove his innocence.

Please, call, fax or email today. Stop the execution of Troy Davis!

Gov. Nathan Deal: phone (404) 651-1776, fax (404) 657-7332, email georgia.governor@gov.state.ga.us, web contact form http://gov.state.ga.us/contact.shtml

Georgia Board of Parsons and Parole: phone (404) 656-5651, fax (404) 651-8502

Legendary freedom fighter Angela Y. Davis, now retired from the U.C. Santa Cruz faculty, is the founder of Critical Resistance, which can be reached at 1904 Franklin St., Suite 504, Oakland, CA 94612, phone (510) 444-0484, fax (510) 444-2177, email crnational@criticalresistance.org.

Major organizations condemn the scheduled execution of Troy Davis

From the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): “After reviewing the evidence, I am convinced that Troy Davis is an innocent man,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “It is appalling to me that with so much doubt surrounding this case, Mr. Davis is set to be executed in 14 days [now only nine days]. Justice will never be served by the state-sanctioned murder of an innocent man.”

From Amnesty International USA: In the state of Georgia, the Board of Pardons and Paroles holds the keys to Troy’s fate. In the days before Davis’ execution, this board will hold a final clemency hearing – a final chance to prevent Troy Davis from being executed. One witness said in a CNN news interview, “If I knew then, what I know now, Troy Davis would not be on death row.” It’s difficult to believe that a system of justice could be so terribly flawed, but keep in mind that Troy has survived three previous execution dates, because people like you kept the justice system in check!

From the International Action Center: On March 28, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court failed to take up the appeal of Troy Anthony Davis. We join with millions in the U.S. and around the world in demanding that Gov. Deal and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles stop the execution of Troy Davis. Serious doubt remains. I call on all those with authority and influence in this decision to grant clemency to Troy Anthony Davis and overturn the death sentence.

How you can help stop the execution of Troy Davis

Take action on the Global Day of Solidarity for Troy Davis, Friday, Sept. 16: On Friday, Sept. 16, everyone is urged to pour out onto the streets to demand justice for Troy Davis. Post pictures, local news stories, Facebook posts, videos, blogs, tweets and re-tweets on Twitter and any other visible signs of solidarity for Troy.

This date was chosen because the following Monday, the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles will hold Troy’s final clemency hearing – our final chance to prevent Troy Davis from being executed. All Troy’s supporters need you there. Troy needs you there.

Oakland : Outreach and Rally Friday, Sept. 16, 4-6 p.m., Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay St., near 12th Street-City Center BART. For more information, call (510) 589-6820 or email california@nodeathpenalty.org.

: Outreach and Rally Friday, Sept. 16, 4-6 p.m., Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay St., near 12th Street-City Center BART. For more information, call (510) 589-6820 or email california@nodeathpenalty.org. Atlanta : March Friday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m., assembling at Woodruff Park, Peachtree and Edgewood, and concluding at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave., with a service featuring national civil rights, community and religious leaders, Martina Correia and other family members of Troy Davis, and exonerated prisoners

: March Friday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m., assembling at Woodruff Park, Peachtree and Edgewood, and concluding at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave., with a service featuring national civil rights, community and religious leaders, Martina Correia and other family members of Troy Davis, and exonerated prisoners New York City: Emergency Demonstration Friday, Sept. 16, 4:30-6 p.m., Times Square, 43rd Street and Seventh Avenue.

Organize an event:

Visit Amnesty’s ‘Submit Your Event’ page. Add a descriptive title for your event that includes “Troy Davis Event.” In the description, include any details about your event including location, type of event – film screening, rally, vigil etc. – and any special information such as parking.

List your local activity at iacenter.org/actions/troydavissept16listlocalaction.

Sign all the petitions:

The growing range of scholars, world leaders and prominent figures who are also demanding justice – including former President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, John Legend, R.E.M., Russell Simmons, Mia Farrow, Indigo Girls, a former governor of Texas and a former member of Congress from Georgia – is simply awe-inspiring.

The outpouring of support you’ve shown for Troy Davis so far has been phenomenal – more than 100,000 of you have signed the petition for clemency and nearly 500 events have popped up in small towns and big cities alike all over the United States. Supporters from countries in the U.K., France, Denmark, Brazil, Hong Kong and Australia have also joined in to lend their voices.

Find many more ways to help stop the execution of Troy Davis and to learn more about his case by visiting

Write to Troy: Send our brother Troy some love and light. Troy Anthony Davis, 41, has been on death row in Georgia for more than 19 years: Troy A. Davis, 657378, GDCP G-3-79, P.O. Box 3877, Jackson GA 30233.

Innocence matters. Justice matters to everyone. Act now. To make the biggest impact, we all need to join together.





‘When Innocence Isn’t Enough: A Documentary About Troy Anthony Davis’



by Naji Mujahid

In July 2007, while working with the D.C. Radio Co-op/Peoples’ Media Center and reporting for Free Speech Radio News, I went to Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, to cover the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles hearing on the case of Troy Anthony Davis. At the time, Troy was scheduled to be executed but fortunately was granted a stay of execution at the very last minute. Following that decision, I traveled to Troy’s hometown and was able to interview Troy, his mother, Virginia Davis, and others. The documentary, “When Innocence Isn’t Enough: A Documentary About Troy Anthony Davis,” is the product of my research and reporting.

At this critical juncture, I am sending this link out in the hopes that it can be used to increase people’s awareness about his case and support his cause. Please forward this far and wide, post it on your website, download it, copy it, distribute it, play it in part or in whole, giving credit to the author, Naji Mujahid of the D.C. Radio Co-op and Peoples’ Media Center.

Credits: D.C. Radio Co-op/Peoples’ Media Center, Voices With Vision, Pacifica Radio, Naji Mujahid, Ryme Khatkouda, Thomas Ruffin, Martina Correia, Brian Stevenson, Diane Rust-Tierney, Shujaa Graham, Virginia Davis, Kirsten Bridgeford and Marcus Garvin. Special thanks to Free Speech Radio News, WPFW-Pacifica, Monica Lopez, Nathan Moore and Kalonji Changa. Music by Beanie Sigel, Cee-Lo Green, Luci Murphy and Pam Parker.