NAACP “I am Troy” Campaign in Savannah This Weekend
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Hundreds of people are expected to rally in savannah this weekend, as part of a national NAACP grassoots campaign in support of Troy Davis.
Hundreds of people are expected to rally in savannah this weekend, as part of a national NAACP grassoots campaign in support of Troy Davis.
Davis has been on death row for more than 18 years and is currently appealing his execution once again to the U.S. Supreme Court. He was convicted of the 1989 murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail.
Earlier this month the NAACP launched their “I am Troy” campaign. As part of the campaign, the NAACP is mobilizing hundreds of volunteers for a petition drive in Chatham County this weekend.
“This is a case that’s fundamentally about making sure that we do not kill innocent people in this country, let alone let them languish on death row,“ said Benjamin T. Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP.
Jealous said they expect the Supreme Court to rule in the case by the end of June.
Through rallies, petition drives and public meetings, jealous and other NAACP leaders are trying to make people in Chatham County and around the country aware of the changing circumstances surrounding the case.
“He was only convicted on eyewitness testimony, by 9 eyewitnesses, and now only 2 of those have not recanted or contradicted their testimony,“ said Jealous.
“This case is about ensuring that the Supreme Court, that the Governor of Georgia, that the District Attorney here, will all stand up and say that we will not let somebody who is innocent, somebody who has a compelling case of their innocence, go to the death chamber without getting their day in court,“ said Jealous.
Davis’s lawyers have filed a habeas petition before the U.S. Supreme Court, but many assume that because of past rejections by the high court, that Davis’s last option may be a new trial at the local level.
District Attorney Larry Chisolm’s office has said they can’t comment on an open case.
The “I am Troy” campaign will kick off Saturday at 10:00 a.m. with a rally at 38th Street Park at 38th St and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Volunteers will then disperse through Savannah neighborhoods to gather signatures.
There will also be a community mass meeting at 6:00 p.m. at Bolton Street Baptist Church.
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Reader Reactions
My 1st comment relates to Warnin’s comments. Before someone questions the worthiness or intent, one should research what that organization’s legacy is, and what comprises the overall organization. It just may be addressing the issues raised - one family at a time. (In addition, this gentleman has been imprisoned for 18 yrs - keeping him away from his family to make a difference in their lives.)
My 2nd comment is I just rec’d an email from a friend notifying me of this incident/case. For too many years, folks have gone to prison, and some have died, as a result of wrongful incarceration. Today, with DNA and other new techniques, this should not happen. While I believe a person should be punished (if you do the crime, then do the time), I am in total accord of a free man being set free - by any means necessary (NAACP, Amnesty International, etc).
Visit either of these websites to sign an electronic petition requesting that the Troy Davis case be re-opened and he be given a fair trial:
1. The new website— www.IAMTROY.com — allows people to send an email directly to the Governor and the DA. (You can read the details on this website and/or in Wikipedia)
or
2. Go to Amnesty Internationals Website: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=12361
Thank you for your commitment to justice being served in the Unites States of America and throughout the entire world.
I have been hearing about Troy Davis for over two years. He has had every type of appeal and review possible. Is he to be pardoned simply because he is black? I would think the NAACP could do more for the black community, but I guess substance doesn’t have anything to do with the NAACP’s causes. They seem to jump on causes that matter little to the black community. Why don’t they deal with poverty and try to make the black community understand that the government isn’t a solution to the problems we all face. What is the NAACP doing to mentor fatherless children, to discourage the cult of unwed motherhood, to council it’s members on the power of capitalism?
I fear they do nothing because that would require real work and they would rather dress up in their suits and talk about it. An before you say anything think about what the NAACP has actually done for you or anyone you know. Not what they said they were going to do but what they have actually done.
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