Pledge in Troy’s Memory

I got this from Amnesty International:

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/site/c.6oJCLQPAJiJUG/b.8826325/k.66E8/Pledge_in_Troy8217s_Memory/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=8826325&msource=W1309EHDP2

Dear Tracy,

Two years ago tomorrow the world cried "STOP" as the state of Georgia injected a lethal cocktail of drugs into the arms of Troy Davis.

Despite everything — witnesses recanting, no physical evidence, massive global protest, an eleventh-hour Supreme Court review — Troy was executed.

Before he was executed, Troy uttered a few heart-wrenching but inspiring final words:

"I ask to my family and friends that you all continue to pray, that you all continue to forgive. Continue to fight this fight."

Today, I'm asking you to honor Troy's memory by fighting this fight. Please, sign this pledge to Troy's family: I will work for abolition of the death penalty, because human rights and human lives are on the line.

Troy's was the first case I worked on when I came to Amnesty in 2007. I had volunteered in death penalty abolition efforts before, and had seen my share of disturbing injustices.

But Troy's case shocked me. And it clarified for me the injustice of capital punishment.

How is it possible that doubt about guilt is no barrier to execution? Why are some legislatures trying to speed up executions, despite systemic bias and repeated mistakes? Why are some states vigorously trying to kill intellectually disabled and mentally ill prisoners? Why do states continue to act as if there is a humane way to kill?
It is an outrage.

Troy's gone but his family and their — and our — fight to abolish the death penalty live on. Add your name today and on October 1, two years to the day since Troy's family grieved at his funeral, we will deliver to his family your commitment to put an end to the death penalty once and for all.

Make the pledge in Troy's memory. Step up and join the fight to abolish the death penalty.

The execution of Troy Davis showed us that the state (of Georgia or any other state) cannot be trusted with the power to kill.

No other death penalty case has ignited such broad public response since the US death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

Since Troy's execution, two states have repealed capital punishment - Maryland and Connecticut. We win this battle for human dignity state by state, with the help of human rights advocates like you.

Where we go next is up to you. Sign the pledge.

Brian Evans
Director, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign
Amnesty International USA