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Pictures from Rochester New York
THOUSANDS
TURN OUT FOR THE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION FOR TROY DAVIS!
Thousands of people across the country and around the world turned
out in support of Troy Anthony Davis on May 19. Around 1,200
demonstrated in Atlanta, 300 to 400 in New York City, 400 in Germany
(see report below) and hundreds in France, just to highlight a few
places!
Troy has been on Georgia's death row for the past 17 years,
professing his innocence.
Since his trial, evidence has surfaced
that could prove his innocence, but the courts have not allowed a
jury to hear these facts. Troy has faced down three execution dates
and could soon face another. Public outcry has stopped each
execution date.
We must keep up the pressure to win justice for Troy and to show why
the death penalty needs to be abolished once and for all. You can
download a fact sheet and petition on Troy by going to our Website
at
http://www.nodeathpenalty.org
-- REPORT FROM ATLANTA
By Desirae Johnson, CEDP Atlanta
The stage was beautifully set for the May 19 Global Day of Action
for Troy Davis; the sun was shining and a light breeze fluttered
above us. The air permeated with a sense of purpose, excitement and
hope as a collection of people gathered on the Georgia State Capitol
steps to hear all of the wonderful speakers who represent a wide
array of social groups, politicians and activist organizations.
The crowd was composed of 1,200 members of diverse individuals,
ranging from infants through all spans of adulthood, while
representing men and women, as well as, people from many different
ethnic backgrounds. Some listened, others networked, and many held
signs in support of Troy Davis to the oncoming traffic. The Campaign
to End the Death Penalty had a good number of people in attendance;
the Atlanta Chapter members sold 40 copies of the New
Abolitionist and 32 "Free Troy Davis" buttons.
Overall, it was a powerful evening, while speakers called for more
action to be taken by questioning our elected officials and marching
on the Georgia State Capitol in protest of the death penalty. As far
as the Atlanta CEDP is concerned, the fight is not over in Georgia,
but the May 19 Global Day of Action for Troy Davis was a success.
-- FOLLOW UP MEETINGS TO ATTEND! Let's keep up the pressure!
Atlanta
Grassroots Planning Meeting: To Build and Sustain the Fight for
Troy Davis
Monday, June 1, 7 pm
Vinings Public Library (4290 Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta 30339)
For more information, call 770-365-8940
Book discussion of Are Prisons Obsolete? Written by Angela
Davis
End of June, date tba.
For more information, e-mail
atlantacedp@gmail.com
New York City--Harlem
"What Next in the Fight for Troy Davis?"
Tuesday, May 26, 7 pm
St. Mary's Church of Harlem
521 W. 126th St. (between Amsterdam and Broadway)
Chicago
Save Troy Davis!
Join us as we plan next steps in the fight to save Troy
Tuesday, June 2, 6 pm
Community Renewal Society Offices
332 S. Michigan, Room 500
Meeting called by Amnesty International, Campaign to End the Death
Penalty, DePaul Students Against the Death Penalty and the Illinois
Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
Call 773-955-4841 to RSVP.
If your chapter isn't listed, please e-mail your information to post
on our Web site.
-- SOME NEWS ARTICLES ON THE DAY OF ACTION
My innocent brother on death row
Martina Davis-Correia
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/may/20/troy-davis-death-row
Global Day of Action Held for Troy Davis
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0462.html
There is a quote at the end from Larry Chisolm, Chatham County DA,
who says he won't seek an execution date until all appeals are
exhausted (the attorney general of the state could still act
independently, but Chisolm's statement makes it harder politically
for him to do that...)
Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/global_day_of_action_for_troy_davis/Content?oid=831981
A slide show from the Atlanta rally.
-- REPORT FROM HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
This evening (May 19th), around 6 pm, more than 400 death penalty
opponents of all walks of life gathered in the German city of
Heidelberg to demonstrate their support for U.S. death row inmate
Troy Anthony Davis. Together, they occupied the widely known "Old
Bridge" in the historic center of the town to shape a human chain,
holding Troy Davis' face in front of their own faces or above their
head.
The call for action came from the German-American Institute, the
locally well-known group Freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the
student branch of Amnesty International.
The opening speech criticized the death penalty in general and drew
the connection to individual cases like the one of Mumia Abu-Jamal,
Kenneth Foster and others. The speaker expressed deep concern for
the serious situation of Mumia Abu-Jamal, too. He might receive a
reinstatement of the death sentence very soon, and is in great
danger yet again.
The focus of this action, though, was clearly on Troy Davis'
outrageous ordeal, and he was the one whose incredible situation had
drawn the attention of pupils from eight school in Heidelberg, of
students from many faculties, from peace activists, artists and just
ordinary interested people.
The local press covered the event and will report it with big photos
in the paper. The organizers as well as those who attended were very
happy with what they felt was a huge success. They send their
greetings to all other rallies and actions on this worldwide day of
action to save Troy Davis.
Berlin Coalition to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
im HdD
Greifswalderstr.4
10405 Berlin
Germany
http://www.mumia-hoerbuch.de/bundnis.htm
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