Georgians Raise Voices For Troy Davis, Thousands Back Them Up

Thousands came out for Troy Davis in Atlanta on September 16th

About 3,500 people marched and prayed for Troy Davis in Atlanta last night.  Three busloads of supporters arrived from Davis’ hometown of Savannah along with other buses from Columbus and Rome, Georgia.

Ebenezer Baptist Church could not accommodate about half the supporters who arrived for the prayer service led by Rev. Raphael Warnock of Dr. King’s historic church.  So an impromptu rally took place outside the church, while death row exonerees, a murder victim family member, Georgia clergy and nationally prominent human rights leaders, such as our Executive Director Larry Cox and that of the NAACP, Benjamin Jealous spoke inside.  The march was an amazing sight to see – a sea of signs declaring “Too Much Doubt” and “Stop the Execution” held by a diversity of individuals and groups.

Bus riders from Savannah brought with them petitions with over 10,000 signatures from residents of their county appealing to the Board of Pardons and Paroles to stop the execution of Davis.  This brought the Georgia signature count to about 40,000 and the total count has exceeded 650,000.  Signatures were delivered to the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles the day before.

As Georgians chanted, sang and marched for human rights through their capital city, thousands more gathered in solidarity across the country and around the world.  From Hong Kong to Hawaii, in both large cities and smaller towns, people organized events to raise their voice expressing that there is too much doubt in the Davis case and that the death penalty ought to be abolished.

Individuals continue to fax their respectful letters of support for clemency (404-651-8502) to the board and are doing all they can to make their concerns heard, including writing songs about this amazing case:

Song for Troy Davis by Nellie McKay from JFOX on Vimeo.

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55 thoughts on “Georgians Raise Voices For Troy Davis, Thousands Back Them Up

  1. Too much doubt about his innoncence….please stop the execution of Troy Davis and spare his life !

  2. To be given 20 years in prison plus the Death Penalty – for a crime one did not commit – when one was a teenager 19 years of age, shows that there is clearly some wrong with the White Collar Professionals running the State of Georgia.

    And so perhaps what is needed and what Amnesty International should seriously look at undertaking, is what to do about such White Collar Crimes and White Collar Accomplices, not only as some are asking for in the Financial System/Banking Sector, but also in the Legal System.
    We really need to have Laws that prevent & protect us from Death Sentences.
    Especially in cases where the person was convicted when a teenager and has served 20 years and there is doubt about their having committed the crime in the first place.

  3. Too much doubt about his innoncence….please stop the execution of Troy Davis and spare his life !

  4. To be given 20 years in prison plus the Death Penalty – for a crime one did not commit – when one was a teenager 19 years of age, shows that there is clearly some wrong with the White Collar Professionals running the State of Georgia.

    And so perhaps what is needed and what Amnesty International should seriously look at undertaking, is what to do about such White Collar Crimes and White Collar Accomplices, not only as some are asking for in the Financial System/Banking Sector, but also in the Legal System.
    We really need to have Laws that prevent & protect us from Death Sentences.
    Especially in cases where the person was convicted when a teenager and has served 20 years and there is doubt about their having committed the crime in the first place.

  5. Troy Davis needs to be pardoned! The system needs major re-vamping so that a person's life is of more value than some rules that block evidence that proves one's innocence. Imagine if it were you, your friend or family. This is truly a sign of a crazy out of control country.

  6. There is MORE THAN RESONABLE DOUBT in this case!
    Everyone, sign the petitions by Amnesty International and Troy’s sister, Kimberly Davis (on Change.org)!
    Read the letter by Prof. Emeritus Angela Davis about the impact Troy’s execution will have on our society!

  7. I’m a supporter of the death penalty. But, not for someone who is not guilty. As I read these articles, it just goes to show, make someone guilty, even though innocent, just to shut up the policemans family as well as the idiots that sent him to death row. He will be exonerated of all charges and should receive millions in compensation, for his loss of a 20+ years. I hate the judicial system. Most of them are FOS!

  8. Troy Davis needs to be pardoned! The system needs major re-vamping so that a person’s life is of more value than some rules that block evidence that proves one’s innocence. Imagine if it were you, your friend or family. This is truly a sign of a crazy out of control country.

  9. America can hang its head in shame if the exexcution is carried out. So manyhave asked for his pardon. When can we know if he is going to be free.
    Hundereds of thousands have signed petions . If it was a white man and well connected be found guilty when innocent-NO

  10. How can the state of Georgia continue with this execution with the overwhelming lack of evidence against this man? With the recantation of the alleged witnesses? With the witnesses who identified another man? I guess the KKK is not dead!

  11. The death penalty is wrong! when will the USA stop this? especially when there is so much doubt also 20 years is a long time to serve, we don't know if he is innocent or guilty but please don't execute Troy Davies London UK

  12. If Troy is not alive on Thursday nd sept.2011 then the world will have witnessed a crime against humanity and the porale board will have a lot to answer for. How many black people will b e on the board. Any ideas?

  13. America can hang its head in shame if the exexcution is carried out. So manyhave asked for his pardon. When can we know if he is going to be free.
    Hundereds of thousands have signed petions . If it was a white man and well connected be found guilty when innocent-NO

  14. Please do not execute Mr.Davis, there has been too many black men that has been hung, burned at the stake, executed, for things they didn't do. If he is executed and you know that he is innocent, saying I'm sorry just doesn't help his family or any other family, we all will be hurting. Yes we want justice for the patrolman's family, but not at the cost of a innocent man's life. Not enough evidence to kill him. God help us all.

  15. @Elaine: 2 African American Males on the the board as far as I know. However there is so much doubt as to Troy Davis' guilt race should matter less than ever.

    I hope those people listen to the facts and their hearts. And I sincerely think nobody in their right mind can propose the death penalty in a case like this.

    Americans open your eyes. YOU could be Troy.

    Free Troy Davis. He's suffered enough.

  16. The death penalty is wrong! when will the USA stop this? especially when there is so much doubt also 20 years is a long time to serve, we don’t know if he is innocent or guilty but please don’t execute Troy Davies London UK

  17. 1 day left to email the Georgia Board and ask them to save #TroyDavis' life, they meet Monday. Email now amn.st/uk4troy #TooMuchDoubt

  18. If they execute Troy Davis, most likely they will have killed an innocent man while leaving the guilty person at large. Please stop this execution from taking place!

  19. Please do not execute Mr.Davis, there has been too many black men that has been hung, burned at the stake, executed, for things they didn’t do. If he is executed and you know that he is innocent, saying I’m sorry just doesn’t help his family or any other family, we all will be hurting. Yes we want justice for the patrolman’s family, but not at the cost of a innocent man’s life. Not enough evidence to kill him. God help us all.

  20. @Elaine: 2 African American Males on the the board as far as I know. However there is so much doubt as to Troy Davis’ guilt race should matter less than ever.

    I hope those people listen to the facts and their hearts. And I sincerely think nobody in their right mind can propose the death penalty in a case like this.

    Americans open your eyes. YOU could be Troy.

    Free Troy Davis. He’s suffered enough.

  21. THOUGH THE HEAVENS FALL
    for Troy Davis

    Innocent eyes
    The clearest of skies,
    Though clouded by contempt,
    Incite us to see
    The blind tyranny
    Of terror in suspense—
    The scales of justice weighted
    By the jaded sway of lies,
    A life held in the balance
    And a cradled compromise;
    Yet Hope kneels at her altar
    ‘Til the day he is set free,
    And empathetic hearts cry out,
    “I am Troy, and Troy is me!”

    Roxanne Ivey
    Poets for Positive Change http://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanneivey

  22. THOUGH THE HEAVENS FALL
    for Troy Davis

    Innocent eyes
    The clearest of skies,
    Though clouded by contempt,
    Incite us to see
    The blind tyranny
    Of terror in suspense—
    The scales of justice weighted
    By the jaded sway of lies,
    A life held in the balance
    And a cradled compromise;
    Yet Hope kneels at her altar
    ‘Til the day he is set free,
    And empathetic hearts cry out,
    “I am Troy, and Troy is me!”

    Roxanne Ivey
    Poets for Positive Change http://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanneivey

  23. THOUGH THE HEAVENS FALL
    for Troy Davis

    Innocent eyes
    The clearest of skies,
    Though clouded by contempt,
    Incite us to see
    The blind tyranny
    Of terror in suspense—
    The scales of justice weighted
    By the jaded sway of lies,
    A life held in the balance
    And a cradled compromise;
    Yet Hope kneels at her altar
    ‘Til the day he is set free,
    And empathetic hearts cry out,
    “I am Troy, and Troy is me!”

    Roxanne Ivey
    Poets for Positive Change http://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanneivey

  24. 1 day left to email the Georgia Board and ask them to save #TroyDavis’ life, they meet Monday. Email now amn.st/uk4troy #TooMuchDoubt

  25. This is NOT about race!!! Far to many base the death penalty on race.. Troy Davis does not deserve to die. Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. I shall light a candle each night and hope Troy walks though those gates a FREE man. Thank god Troy has family helping him unlike many men on DR.

  26. THOUGH THE HEAVENS FALL
    for Troy Davis

    Innocent eyes
    The clearest of skies,
    Though clouded by contempt,
    Incite us to see
    The blind tyranny
    Of terror in suspense—
    The scales of justice weighted
    By the jaded sway of lies,
    A life held in the balance
    And a cradled compromise;
    Yet Hope kneels at her altar
    ‘Til the day he is set free,
    And empathetic hearts cry out,
    “I am Troy, and Troy is me!”

    Roxanne Ivey
    Poets for Positive Change
    http://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanneivey

  27. This is NOT about race!!! Far to many base the death penalty on race.. Troy Davis does not deserve to die. Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. I shall light a candle each night and hope Troy walks though those gates a FREE man. Thank god Troy has family helping him unlike many men on DR.

  28. There is no God for if there was 20,0000 children would not die a day from poverty. A good god would not have let a man be treated so badly.
    Of coure it is because he is black. I remember the days when black people were hung up by the KKK.
    No candle will help. I pray to god every day to save all these children from abuse and poverty and nothing happens.
    I love my fellow man and am an Atheist. America will have to hang its head in shame if Troy is executed. Mugarbe roams free and he has killed thousands.No justice reigns.

  29. "Our Lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter'
    MARTIN LUTHER KING.

  30. Our God is a merciful and loving God, I trust he listen to so many prayers of people on earth and in heaven give gives great help, like He did to people in the Bible who called upon Him.I lit many candles the past time, many people prayed and signed up , here too and I have faith for release of TROY Anthony Davis, Justice will prevail, praise God!
    WE all wait now……pfffff Lets be strong!

    Evelien, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

  31. What a lot of rubbish. If there was a decent god he would have had Troy not found guilty when he knew all the time he was innocent. I pray to god every day but he never listens to me for chldren are made slaves and abused by the Church.
    Lets just concentrate on Troy. An innocent man must not be executed. I suppose if he was they would make him a martr and say at last he is safe in heaven. Get real.

  32. There is no God for if there was 20,0000 children would not die a day from poverty. A good god would not have let a man be treated so badly.
    Of coure it is because he is black. I remember the days when black people were hung up by the KKK.
    No candle will help. I pray to god every day to save all these children from abuse and poverty and nothing happens.
    I love my fellow man and am an Atheist. America will have to hang its head in shame if Troy is executed. Mugarbe roams free and he has killed thousands.No justice reigns.

  33. “Our Lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter’
    MARTIN LUTHER KING.

  34. Our God is a merciful and loving God, I trust he listen to so many prayers of people on earth and in heaven give gives great help, like He did to people in the Bible who called upon Him.I lit many candles the past time, many people prayed and signed up , here too and I have faith for release of TROY Anthony Davis, Justice will prevail, praise God!
    WE all wait now……pfffff Lets be strong!

    Evelien, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

  35. What a lot of rubbish. If there was a decent god he would have had Troy not found guilty when he knew all the time he was innocent. I pray to god every day but he never listens to me for chldren are made slaves and abused by the Church.
    Lets just concentrate on Troy. An innocent man must not be executed. I suppose if he was they would make him a martr and say at last he is safe in heaven. Get real.

  36. @ Elaine,

    If yu dont believe in the power of prayer, oke,you dont understand. Your are disappointed with prayers, yu might have a chat with christians about it. But although not all prayers are answered,i still believe God has the best interest in us and loves us. So lets be grateful for all people who pray for his freedom. Its not helpful if yu only look to faults of christians, and not see all the good that the Gospel brought by them to the world!
    Lets hope for a good outcome now for Troy, and otherwise continue to collect and inspire people to sign up the petition! God bless!

  37. Why bother to pray if god has already made his mind up a to whether Troy will live or die. He is all knowing and all powerful I am told.
    Still that is not the question here, a mans life is involved.

  38. @ Elaine,

    If yu dont believe in the power of prayer, oke,you dont understand. Your are disappointed with prayers, yu might have a chat with christians about it. But although not all prayers are answered,i still believe God has the best interest in us and loves us. So lets be grateful for all people who pray for his freedom. Its not helpful if yu only look to faults of christians, and not see all the good that the Gospel brought by them to the world!
    Lets hope for a good outcome now for Troy, and otherwise continue to collect and inspire people to sign up the petition! God bless!

  39. Why bother to pray if god has already made his mind up a to whether Troy will live or die. He is all knowing and all powerful I am told.
    Still that is not the question here, a mans life is involved.

  40. May the G-d of light and love keep the Troy Davis in his divine light.

    We hope and pray that the state of Georgia will not put the need to be bureaucratic above the need to be decent. It is vastly evident that there is a misscarriage of justice transpiring here, which is in need of judicial equity and review.

    Please save Troy Davis's life and do the right thing – we ask you, the Great State of Georgia, to demonstrate good character.

  41. May the G-d of light and love keep the Troy Davis in his divine light.

    We hope and pray that the state of Georgia will not put the need to be bureaucratic above the need to be decent. It is vastly evident that there is a misscarriage of justice transpiring here, which is in need of judicial equity and review.

    Please save Troy Davis’s life and do the right thing – we ask you, the Great State of Georgia, to demonstrate good character.

  42. I suppose, somewhere in the back of my mind, i entertained the fantasy that
    the guards would refuse to take him on his final walk; that the person charged with administering the shot would refuse to give it; that something dramatic would happen.
    I was wrong.

    Every action that is legal and ethical must be taken to demonstrate the world's extreme antipathy towards georgia and that state's board of appeals and its members. We must stay united. This will happen again unless we remain active and vigilant.

  43. I suppose, somewhere in the back of my mind, i entertained the fantasy that
    the guards would refuse to take him on his final walk; that the person charged with administering the shot would refuse to give it; that something dramatic would happen.
    I was wrong.

    Every action that is legal and ethical must be taken to demonstrate the world’s extreme antipathy towards georgia and that state’s board of appeals and its members. We must stay united. This will happen again unless we remain active and vigilant.

  44. To all my TROY DAVIS SUPPORTS " I LOVE YOU"

    To the Governor of Georgia, your momma, that stupid ass bitch should have a boarded yo faggot ass soon as the stupid bitch found out she was knock up with especial with a killer like you on the lose!!

    Please nation of the USA let's vote this Governor out of office. it's plain to see that he don't care about the american's black esp., and that The Late Great Troy Davis was put to death because they think that was him. but this other bitch Casey Anthony can kill her baby with all and i mean all the facts pointed straight at her and she do three years??? Amercia Wake The Fuck Up!!!!

  45. To all my TROY DAVIS SUPPORTS ” I LOVE YOU”

    To the Governor of Georgia, your momma, that stupid ass bitch should have a boarded yo faggot ass soon as the stupid bitch found out she was knock up with especial with a killer like you on the lose!!

    Please nation of the USA let’s vote this Governor out of office. it’s plain to see that he don’t care about the american’s black esp., and that The Late Great Troy Davis was put to death because they think that was him. but this other bitch Casey Anthony can kill her baby with all and i mean all the facts pointed straight at her and she do three years??? Amercia Wake The Fuck Up!!!!

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