NAACP "I am Troy" Campaign in Savannah This Weekend

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.