Civil Rights Leaders Call on Federal Appeals Court to Stop Davis Execution

Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable

September 20, 2011
for Immediate Release
Contact: Earl Ofari Hutchinson
323-383-6145

Press Advisory:

Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson and other civil rights leaders on Tuesday, September 20, called on a federal appeals court in Georgia to stay the execution of Troy Davis. The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles which denied clemency for Davis convicted of the murder of a Savannah police officer. The Georgia Board however pledged in 2007 not to allow an execution unless it was "convinced that there is no doubt as to the guilt of the accused."

The Board blatantly violated its own pledge given the overwhelming evidence that cast doubt on Davis’s guilt. This makes it even more compelling and urgent that a federal appeals court judge step in to stay the execution pending continued legal reviews of the evidence in the case.

“The execution of Troy Davis would be a horrific stain on the American criminal justice system. It blatantly violates the firm constitutional prescription of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, “says Hutchinson,” Davis has no other option but a federal appeals court stay that would prevent the execution of a possibly innocent man. The court must take immediate action.”

Endorsers:

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, President Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable

Dwayne Wyatt, L.A Black Employees for Fairness

Lita Herron, President Youth Advocacy Coalition

Eddie Jones, President Los Angeles Civil Rights Assn.

Reverend KW Tuloss National Action Network (Al Sharpton) West Coast Representative

Minister Robert Taylor, Black Ministers Alliance

Pedro Baez, Founder Voice of the People

Willis Edwards, NAACP National Board Member