OntheWilderSide

New Yorkers for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
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Abolitionists:

I will be brief. Activists and allies across the globe are uniting on MAY 19TH to save the life of Troy Davis. You have taken action for Troy before when twice, he has come within days of execution. And twice, the machinery of death has been stopped.

So what is it about his case that makes the possibility of his death so appalling? While all executions are affronts to human dignity, the idea of executing an innocent man is particularly appalling. There was no physical evidence offered as proof of his guilt. In fact, the weapon used in the crime was never found. In fact, the case against him consisted entirely of eye-witness testimony. Yet, seven of the nine non-police eyewitnesses have since recanted or seriously contradicted their testimony, many of these reporting that they had been coerced into their testimonies by the police. Even more astounding, of the two witnesses who have no recanted, one of them, Sylvester Coles, is the principle other suspect in the case,. Nine individuals
have signed affidavits implicating Coles in the murder.

Troy has never had a hearing in federal court on the reliability of the witness testimony used against him. Essentially, the courts have told him that evidence of his innocence is irrelevant. His death, we are told, must proceed. Finality has taken precedence over fairness, justice, and humanity.

We do not accept this. On the 19th, NYADP will join with Amnesty International to cosponsor events around the state: from small candlelight vigils to letter-writing meetings to rallies.

JOIN US at Union Square on May 19th (intersection of East 14th Street, Park Avenue South & Broadway) from 6-8 PM for a large rally and vigil.

OR, LET ME KNOW if you want to do something in your own area. I can send flyers, literature, and spread the word. Just respond to this e-mail.

For those of you who want to take individual action, CONTACT GOVERNOR PERDUE:
http://gov.georgia.gov/00/gov/contact_us/0,2657,78006749_94820188,00.html

In solidarity,
Colleen

Colleen Eren
NYADP Org. Director
Colleen.Eren@yahoo.com
516 849 2363

Filed under: Action Alert!, activism, Death Penalty