Sunday, September 11, 2011

CoC Requests Donations for GA Ad Buys to Stop Troy Davis 9/21+ Execution

Despite major questions about his guilt, Georgia just scheduled an execution date for Troy Davis.
Everyone in Georgia needs to know about this injustice. Help us tell Troy's story:
I've received this e-mail from Color of Change for action, contributing to an advertising fund targeting Georgia, where Troy David is to be executed as soon as September 21, 2011.
Dear Atty,
The day we’ve dreaded is finally here. On Tuesday, a Georgia judge issued a death warrant for Troy Davis. It shocks the conscience, but despite all the doubt hanging over the case — all the evidence that Troy is likely innocent — Troy is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection as soon as September 21.1
At this point, the last body capable of stopping the execution is the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole. There’s no doubt that we need to keep them in the national spotlight to help save Troy’s life. But the Pardon Board will likely be most swayed by the voices of Georgia citizens, many of whom either aren't aware of Troy’s story or haven't been asked to speak out.
In the coming weeks, we will buy ads that will reach thousands of Georgia residents and create a critical new level of scrutiny on the Pardon Board's actions — but we need to raise at least $10,000 to buy enough space for our message to make a difference. Can you chip in $10, $20, or $50 to help save Troy Davis’ life?
The same judge who rejected Troy’s innocence claims in a hearing last year conceded that the case against Troy is not “ironclad.” But ironclad is exactly what the case should be in order to put someone to death.
When the case isn’t totally solid, the process is prone to human error, and innocent people may die. That’s what evidence suggests happened to Cameron Todd Willingham, a Texas man who was sentenced to die after being accused of starting a fire that killed his children. A new review of the evidence used to convict him shows that Willingham was executed despite overwhelming evidence that he was convicted on false pretenses. But now it’s too late to do anything about it.2
It will take all of our combined efforts to make sure Troy Davis isn’t the next Cameron Willingham. It starts with a donation of whatever you can afford.
Thanks and Peace,
-- Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
   September 8th, 2011
References:
1. "Order Signed for Sept. Execution of Troy Davis," ABCNews.com, 9-7-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/957?akid=2181.202094.B3vQ_q&t=6
2. "The Haunting of Rick Perry," The New York Times, 6-22-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/958?akid=2181.202094.B3vQ_q&t=8

Saturday, September 10, 2011

CoC Urges Phone Calls to Chicago Prosecutor to Free DNA-Innocent Black Men

Afrosphere Action Alerts has received the following e-mail from Color of Change (and added some information for the geographically challenged).  I have called Cook County (Chicago.IL) State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez' office (312 325-9200), demanding that she move to release Black men whom DNA has proved innocent, even after confessions that may have been the result of rampant and notorious torture by the Chicago Police Department.
Here is the letter from Color of Change:

Dear Atty,
You and more than 64,000 ColorOfChange.org members have demanded that Cook County (Chicago.IL) State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez immediately acknowledge the innocence of 10 falsely accused Black men and vacate their convictions.
Last week, we delivered the petition signatures at Alvarez's office in downtown Chicago. But Alvarez so far remains silent. We need to step up the pressure.
Can you make a quick call to Alvarez's office (312 325-9200) and demand that she vacate the convictions of these innocent men? If enough of us call, it will let her know we're not going away and increase the pressure on her to act. Just click the link to make your call — we'll give you the number and a short script you can use:
Attorney Alvarez needs to know that we will hold her accountable for blocking justice and supporting law enforcement practices that compromise all of our safety. Please take a moment now to call Alvarez and ask her to immediately correct these outrageous wrongs.
Thanks and Peace,
-- Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
   September 9th, 2011
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