In Georgia, the State Board of Patrons and Paroles recently rejected Troy Davis' clemency petition, despite compelling, ample evidence pointing to his innocence. Davis faces execution on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00pm ET, unless the Board reconsiders its decision. Here is a statement from Asian Pacific Americans of Conscience speaking out and calling for action to stop the execution of Troy Davis. It was written by civil rights activist Angela Oh and signed by API activists/artists Helen Zia, Maxine Hong Kingston, K.W. Lee, Jessica Hagedorn and Don T. Nakanishi:
Statement of Asian Pacific Americans of Conscience on the Impending Execution of Troy DavisTime is running out. For further information about Troy Davis and his case, and to sign the online petition, go to the Amnesty International website here: Stop the September 21st execution of Troy Davis!
Georgia's State Board of Pardons and Paroles has recently rejected Troy Davis' clemency petition. Davis continues to face execution on Wed., Sept. 21 at 7 pm EDT. The killing by execution of Troy Davis must be stopped. The most compelling reason for this is that there is ample evidence that points to factual innocence. Decades ago an innocent Korean immigrant teen was unjustly imprisoned and almost faced death in California. Chol Soo Lee's life was spared because of the untiring efforts of journalists, lawyers, and community members who unearthed critical information missed by trial lawyers in that case. We have seen that the system is imperfect... over a hundred times in death penalty cases. There are options that can be exercised to save an innocent life. Therefore we must voice our experience and share the wisdom of that experience today. We all share in the act that appears to be imminent due to the failure of our justice system in the Davis case.
Troy Davis may be out of options in the justice system but he is not out of options in the realm of humanity and common decency. A life can still be spared and whatever standards or criteria are required by the justice system can be made more humane by way of an executive decision. Executive action is needed now, not an execution.
We urge that the Board reconsider its decision and that Chatham County (Savannah) District Attorney Larry Chisolm seek a withdrawal of the death warrant and support clemency himself. We urge everyone to do what they can to stop the execution of Troy Davis.
More information on how to take action can be found at:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=516533.
Signed,
Angela Oh
Helen Zia
Maxine Hong Kingston
K.W. Lee
Jessica Hagedorn
Don T. Nakanishi
