Online organizing and public rallies across the country are ramping up in the days before Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed. Despite new revelations, the state of Georgia still plans on executing Davis in just 5 days, on Tuesday, September 21, 2011 at 7:00pm.
Davis was sentenced to death in 1991 for the 1989 murder of an off-duty Savannah police officer. But his conviction was based largely on eyewitness testimony, and seven out of the nine eyewitnesses have either recanted or contradicted their trial testimony. The only physical evidence the state provided has now been discredited and withdrawn, and new witnesses have come forward identifying the shooter as another man — Sylvester "Redd" Coles, the same person who first implicated Davis.
The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Parole is the only group with the power to save Davis by granting him clemency. Davis’ supporters are organizing a day of global solidarity with him today, Friday, Sept. 16, just three days ahead of the Board hearing.
His supporters include organizations like Amnesty International, the NAACP, National Action Network, Color of Change, the ACLU and celebrities include REM’s Michael Stipe, The Indigo Girls, OutKast’s Big Boi, Cee-Lo Green, Harry Belafonte, Russell Simons and Susan Sarandon.
Former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Larry Thompson, who also served as a U.S. attorney in Georgia, wrote a letter to the Board on Sept. 8, stating: "I do not know if Troy Davis is innocent, but it is clear now that the doubts plaguing his case can never be adequately addressed. On this basis, I urge you to … grant clemency."
Supporters can participate in the global day of action by signing Amnesty International petition urging for clemency or attending one of the dozen of rallies in support of Davis in the coming days.
Below is a list of rallies made available by the ACLU.
Ann Arbor, MI
Thursday, September 15, 7:00 PM
Demonstration to Save Troy Davis
Northeast corner of Main Street and Huron Street
For more info: http://www.amnestyusa.org/events/demonstration-to-save-troy-davis
Atlanta, GA
Friday, September 16, 6:00 PM
Global Day of Solidarity for Troy Davis: March and Prayer Service
Woodruff Park (Peachtree St./Edgewood Ave.) to Ebenezer Baptist Church
For more info: http://www.amnestyusa.org/events/global-day-of-solidarity-for-troy-davis-march-and-prayer-service
Austin, TX
Friday, September 16, 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Stop the Execution of Troy Davis: Solidarity Rally
Texas State Capitol at 11th and Congress
For more info: http://www.nodeathpenalty.org/events/troy-davis-solidarity-organizing-cedp-chapters
Chicago, IL
Friday, September 16, 5:00 PM
Solidarity Rally for Troy Davis
130 E Randolph St.
For more info: http://icjpe.org/actions/SOLIDARITY-RALLY-FOR-TROY-DAVIS
Denton, TX
Friday, September 16, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Solidarity for Troy Davis Rally
The Square, 110 West Hickory Street
For more info: http://www.nodeathpenalty.org/events/troy-davis-solidarity-organizing-cedp-chapters
Glassboro, NJ
Friday, September 16, 12:00 – 3:00 PM
Protest to STOP THE EXECUTION of Troy Davis!!
Student Center Patio, Rowan University
For more info: http://www.nodeathpenalty.org/events/troy-davis-solidarity-organizing-cedp-chapters
New York, NY
Emergency Rally to Stop the Execution of Troy Davis
Friday, September 16, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
42nd Street & 7th Avenue, Times Square
For more info: http://www.iacenter.org/actions/troydavis091311/
Oakland, CA
Friday, September 16, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay Street, near City Center/12th St BART
For more info: http://www.nodeathpenalty.org/events/troy-davis-solidarity-organizing-cedp-chapters
Philadelphia, PA
Friday, September 16, 4:30 – 6:00 PM
Protest the Execution of Troy Davis
Philadelphia City Hall, West Side
For more info: http://phillysolidarity.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/377/
San Diego, CA
Stop the Execution of Troy Davis: Solidarity Rally
Friday, September 16, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Hall of Justice, 220 W. Broadway
For more info: http://activistsandiego.org/node/3167
San Francisco, CA
Support Troy Davis on Union Square
Friday, September 16, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Union Square
For more info: http://www.amnestyusa.org/events/support-troy-davis-on-union-square
Santa Cruz, CA
Rally in solidarity with Troy Davis
Friday, September 16, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Downtown at the Clocktower
For more info: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/13/18690214.php
Washington, DC
Rally to Save Troy Davis
Friday, September 16, 6:00 PM
Tivoli Square
For more info: http://www.amnestyusa.org/events/rally-to-save-troy-davis