Death Penalty Focus

Join our Troy Davis 2 Year Remembrance Project - tag a post with #troydavis2years and we will reblog, or send to [email protected].

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He spent 42 years in solitary confinement. Finally, a judge overturned his conviction and he was released to a New Orleans hospital, where it is expected he will die soon of liver cancer. A tragic injustice, but a must watch.

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I listened to coverage of the Troy Davis cased on Democracy Now! and was at a complete loss for words when he was murdered by the state. Only the removal of Mumia Abu Jamal from death row brought about a visceral response of this intensity for me. I am strongly opposed to capital punishment and I have a notarized Declaration of Life. If I were ever killed in an act of violence, this document demands that the legal system not consider the death penalty as a means of punishment for my potential perpetrators. As a nation state among peers, the United States of America is far behind the times when it comes to addressing retributive justice.

Ryan Murphy

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Help us remember Troy Davis and honor his wish to continue fighting for those wrongfully sentenced to death across the country.

Send us pictures, drawings, quotes, poems, essays, etc. to [email protected], or tag #troydavis2years

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His words still echo through the distance, two years past his death. Far away in Brazil I still remember that day.  We still are all Troy Davis. Why? He has answered this question that fateful day:

There are so many more Troy Davis’. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe."

May God bless his family and give them comfort  on this day.

Maria Lucia Montes

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How could I forget Troy DAVIS ?

Troy words and strengh, keep leading me on the long road for death penalty universal  abolition.

May the story of Troy and his legacy inspire us in the fight againt injustice

  Benoît Déguignet

Coutevroult, France

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I remember Troy's grace while undergoing the unimaginable. I remember feeling as though I could see his kind soul. I remember how I cried when Troy was murdered by the state. How I just couldn't understand how humans could be so cruel. Capital punishment must stop! Laura Ice

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"The generosity of the human spirit can overcome all adversity.  Through compassion and caring, we can create hope." Nelson Mandela

When I remember Troy Davis, I reaffirm that the death penalty is a cop-out.  Our society does not know what to do with those who have committed horrible deeds, those whose outlook on society is a bit different, those who mental capabilities are lacking support, those whose anger and phobic issues are out of control and those who fell through the cracks in the education system.  Innocent people like Troy Davis get caught up and are accused in order for someone to be placated that "justice" was done.  Our society needs to take a long, hard look at how we handle difficult children, difficult teens and difficult adults.  There are more creative ways to address crime than to lock someone up and kill them.

Harriet McCleary

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The fight to end violence begins with absolute respect for life. A practical step is to end capital punishment once and for all. Let's refuse to kill others. Al Albergate

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I am a white woman but I am Troy Davis. Each of us, no matter our sex or race -  is Troy Davis. We can best honor his memory by stepping up to the plate and speaking out against the institutionalized racism which impacts every citizen. We need to change some laws, like the stand your ground laws. We need to address the prison system issues. One step at a time, one issue at a time. And we are running out of time... Joan Heleine

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I pray for the soul of Troy Davis, and the family and friends he left behind. May you rest in peace and rise in glory Troy.

Nan

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My wife and I watched the Troy Davis saga unfold with hope. We signed every petition we could find. On the day of the execution (murder) of Mr. Davis we watched the news all day hoping for a stay. When the execution was carried out my wife and I were devastated. She cried so hard for him, and his family. At the time she was still battling a metastatic cancer. She died a month later at the age of 39. Troy's execution and my wife's death will forever be linked in my mind. May the death penalty, and cancer, soon be nothing but bad memories...and we can finally see the day when "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness a mighty stream."

Tim Tucker

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Life is a precious gift from our God! Leone A. Drexler

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reminding Georgia governor every year

We send a letter to him each year telling him that his hasty execution has not died down the controversy and that, as genomics scientists, we oppose having scientific meetings in Georgia because of this execution.

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Two years later I still have Troy's photo on my bathroom mirror so that every morning I think of him. And rededicate myself to working to end the death penalty Miriam Welly Elliott Gainesville, FL

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There is some similarity in the way Troy Davis approached is death sentence and Jesus Christ during his last week before execution. I do not understand how people who propose they are Christians support our Death Penalties for several reasons. Who gave the state to assume their right to do this? The descendants of the Pharisees and their ilk.

Alfrieda Daly

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He's been gone TWO YEARS?  Why is it suddenly hard to breathe.  I will get the book "I Am Troy Davis", next paycheck . . .

  Frances in California

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Solana Plains, right, escorts Elijah West, cousin of Troy Davis, out of the Towaliga County Line Baptist Church that is across from the Jackson State Prison in Jackson, Ga

Jessica McGowan / Getty Images