Criminal Justice: Creating A Carnival to Kill

Creating A Carnival to Kill

The Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole denied clemency for death-row inmate Troy Davis, who was convicted of the 1989 killing of Savannah, Georgia, police officer Mark MacPhail. Davis is now scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at 7 p.m. Wednesday at a state prison in Jackson, Georgia.

"Monday September 19, 2011, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles met to consider a clemency request from attorneys representing condemned inmate Troy Anthony Davis. After considering the request, the Board has voted to deny clemency," the board said in a statement Tuesday morning via CNN.

Amnesty International reacted angrily to the clemency denial on Tuesday.

"It is unconscionable that the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied relief to Troy Davis. Allowing a man to be sent to death under an enormous cloud of doubt about his guilt is an outrageous affront to justice... Should Troy Davis be executed, Georgia may well have executed an innocent man and in so doing discredited the justice system," the statement said.

Something is seriously wrong with our society when we can sentence someone to death under such conflicted and unclear circumstances. However, it appears many in our society applaud and cheeringly support man playing God, in deciding to pursue the ultimate justice upon our fellow man. Just take a look at this video in which Republican Presidential candidate, Rick Perry of Texas is questioned about the 234 death row conviction, more than any other governor in modern times. You can hear the applause from the crowd when this number is exclaimed, and Rick Perry shows no remorse or hesitation in his decisions. This cheering for the death of another human being is so disturbing, that it is tantamount to creating a carnival to kill atmosphere, similar to that we saw with the lynchings of African Americans in our early history.

If you're interested in attending a protest against Troy Brown's execution, there are several popping up around the country and being organized by such groups as the NAACP and Amnesty International. The following are details about a similar rally here in Washington, DC. I urge you to voice your opinion on this matter, however you can. A life hangs in the balance.

TROY DAVIS DENIED CLEMENCY

EMERGENCY RALLY IN DC TONIGHT 9/20
6 PM
TIVOLI SQUARE - 14th ST and PARK RD, NW

TAKE ACTION NOW:
Send your messages urging reversal to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole:
Call 404-656-5651, e-mail webmaster@pap.state.ga.us and fax 404-651-8502.

You can also call District Attorney Larry Chisolm at 912-652-7308 and ask that he withdraw the death warrant.