The View of Georgia from Cincinnati

On September 21st 2011 the State of Georgia murdered an innocent man by lethal injection. Despite a flawed legal process, involving several trials and last minute appeals, Troy Davis was executed without any evidence against him and after several "witnesses" recanted their forced testimonies.

There was an outpouring of support for Troy around the world, including the entire continent of Europe: "Serious and compelling doubts have persistently surrounded the evidence on which Mr. Davis was convicted, and these were recognized by the appeal judges. The European Union therefore calls for his execution to be urgently commuted."

However the President of the United States, which by the way includes Georgia, did not offer a single word or action on the subject. The very next day he was here in Cincinnati speaking at Hilltop Concrete about his American Jobs Act - in a word, campaigning. He was too busy trying to boost his poll numbers to shine the light on an appalling miscarriage of justice. Too much of a downer for the campaign trail.

Obama did not seem to grasp that he was speaking in a city that had to have the Department of Justice review of its police force in 2001 after a number of unnecessary deaths at the hands of the Cincinnati PD. The killing of Timothy Thomas, an unarmed Black man fleeing arrest for traffic violations,  in particular led to riots in the city. The department was subject to independent monitoring of its use of force until 2007.

This same federal agency should be focusing energetically on the State of Georgia's broken justice system. The Department of Justice should be investigating Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, the entire Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Savannah Police Department. Then there might be some actual justice in this case.

State Murder Must End

Troy Davis was killed tonight by the state of Georgia, the Pardon and Parole Board, the Supreme Court, and the United States. The upholding of his execution, in spite of all but 2 non-police witnesses recanting their testimony, another man confessing to the crime, no weapon and no DNA, illustrates that we do not have a justice system. We have an injustice system. This case also shows the true nature of the death penalty. It is a racist institution and Troy's murder is a 21st century lynching. Only the authoritarian system we live in, which promotes imperialism on its own shores, would commit such an atrocious act.

The Supreme Court of the US first refused to hear Troy's case, in spite of these changes in the evidence (including new evidence that may have exonerated him), then, after playing mind games with the entire world in the 11th hour, they let his execution go ahead. This institution is one of many in our country that will be under the control of capitalists and elevate their conservative cause until we liberate it so it will serve the people.

The ISO will continue its fight against the death penalty. We will continue to fight for the rights of all people. Troy's death will not be in vain.

This struggle is for all the Troy Davises who came before me and all the ones who will come after me - Troy Davis

Don't mourn, organize. - Joe Hill

Some Success

Delay of Execution in Troy Davis case 

On Friday, the Cincinnati Branch of the ISO marched in solidarity with Amnesty International and Ohioans to Stop Executions in support of Troy Davis.  We stress that this is a temporary success and your continued agitation on the behalf of Troy Davis is needed. 

Troy's Amnesty International Page

He has been on the verge of execution on three other occasions. 
This surely must constitute psychological torture, of such a magnitude as to violate the Eighth Amendment.  Regardless, it is offensive in the eyes of decent people everywhere, and especially socialists.

Save Troy Davis Rally

Troy Davis is set to be executed in just 2 weeks. We need to stand in opposition to this decision and stand behind Troy. There is too much doubt and it is very likely Georgia will execute an INNOCENT MAN.

Co Sponsors: 

Cincinnati International Socialist Organization

UC Amnesty International

Ohioans To Stop Executions

Tentative plans for the demonstration: We will be meeting at the Corner of Clifton and MLK, the same location that the solidarity rallies for the arab spring took place. There will be a few speakers from local groups to talk about the work they do and how it relates to this case. There will be a petition available to sign at the event.

Even if you will not be able to attend an event in Cincinnati, please sign the petition: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=12970

This event is Cosponsored by the Cincinnati ISO and the University of Cincinnati's Amnesty International.

From: http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/cases/usa-troy-davis

Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. Nearly two decades later, Davis remains on death row — even though the case against him has fallen apart.

The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state's non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony.

Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester "Red" Coles — the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom there is new evidence implicating him as the gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.

An execution date for Troy Davis is scheduled for September 21! In the days before Davis' execution, the Georgia Board of Pardons & Paroles will hold a final clemency hearing – a final chance to prevent Troy Davis from being executed.

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