Howard Morgan's Fight Should Be Everyones Fight!

Many, but not enough, have heard of the travesty of justice that is represented by the Howard Morgan shooting. First a few facts:

• Howard Morgan is a former Chicago Police Officer, and following that career, spent 13 years as a Railroad Police Officer.
• On February 21, 2005, Mr. Morgan was forced from his vehicle and shot by police officers 28 times, 21 of those shots were into his back . . . miraculously he survived.
• As unbelievable as it may seem, he was charged with four counts of attempted murder, along with other firearm charges (he was a police officer and was carrying a weapon legally).
• In 2007, he was acquitted of 3 charges and the jury was hung on the remaining counts; the judge declared a mistrial.
• With evidence and a witness in his favor, and the appearance of double jeopardy, he was tried on the remaining charges this year and is currently awaiting sentencing:
• The state could only produce 3 of 25 bullets removed from his body - the other bullets could have proven he was shot with his own gun
• He was never tested for gun residue to confirm he fired his weapon
• The state never produced the bullet proof vest the office claimed had been shot into

If Howard Morgan had died of his many gunshot wounds this would have been just one more case that got sweep away from the public's vision. The fact that he lived to tell the story should serve as a wake-up call to us all. We should demand justice for Brother Morgan, as well as for ourselves. We should demand Howard Morgan's release, while also demanding our police live up the slogan of "To Serve and Protect." It's time for our police to work with our communities to remove the few bad apples that give them all a bad reputation and that generates the haze of distrust that reduces citizen/police cooperation to near zero.

It is in the interest of us all to bring true justice to bear on this case. To cure the larger issue is certainly going to take time and resources. To begin, however, please click here to go the the Free Howard Morgan website and sign his petition demanding justice.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."  

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

Daryle Brown
Trinity UCC Justice Watch Team

Are We Serious?

When Pastor Moss informs us of how industries, companies, governments, or even individuals, are taking advantage of the poor and disadvantaged among us, do we pay attention? And if we pay attention, do we change our behavior to try to tip the scales back towards “justice?”

Initially, in the fall of 2010, Pastor Moss identified the scandalous tactics being implemented by the Koch brothers, using their billions to manipulate both people and governments to serve their insatiable greed. Pastor warned us that the Koch brothers, owners of the “largest company you’ve never heard of,” were the secret funding source behind the Tea Party, and a staunch opponent of environment regulations. Since that time our congregation was encouraged to boycott Koch Industries’ brands so as not to finance our own destruction. Did we?

Now, thanks to insightful reporting by Bill Press of Tribune Media Services, we find that the Koch brothers have collected over 49 million dollars in “Anti-Obama” funding, and another writer indicates they have pledged 60 million dollars of their own. They are the principle funders of 57 right wing political action groups, including Americans for Prosperity, which alone spent $45M in the 2010 elections! Some key issues that AFP supports:

• Repealing the Affordable Health Care Act
• Repealing the Dodd/Frank Act that provides rules and regulations to reduce the chance of another banking system collapse
• Opposition to the Clean Air Act's ability to address greenhouse gas emissions
• Elimination of tax credits and subsidies for "green" technologies
• Elimination of estate taxes (now only paid on the value of estates that is over $5 million)

If providing health care for all is a priority, if we are to be good stewards of the earth God has given to us, if we want a fair tax system and accountable banking system, we must be willing to work for it. Yes, it is a hassle keeping track of various boycotts and other socially conscious actions, and sometimes it feels like we are tossing beans at an elephant, but consistency is critical. If you haven't joined in the boycott of Koch Industries' products, please do. And, for those of you that are already taking part in this important action, please continue.

DO NOT BUY

• Brawny or Mardi Gras Paper Towels
• Angel Soft, Soft ‘n Gentle or Quilted Northern Toilet Paper
• Mardi Gras, Sparkle, Vanity Fair, Dixie or Zee Napkins
• Dixie Plates, Bowls or Cups
• Stainmaster Carpet
• Any products from Georgia Pacific (building products)

Together we make a difference.

Daryle Brown

Trinity UCC Justice Watch Team

A Lesson in Making a Bed

Have you ever thought about workers who make the beds in hotels?  Two weeks ago I had a conversation with a housekeeper from a Hyatt Hotel about making beds. While changing the linen on my 12 inch high queen-size bed at home, I revisited our conversation in my mind.

I remembered the housekeeper telling me about the injuries she and other housekeepers sustain in their wrists and back from changing beds in 15 rooms during their regular shifts. (a majority of the rooms have two queen size beds with mattress 15 to 18 inches high). To change my bed at home, I was using one fitted sheet and one flat sheet, however I remembered she told me, “we don’t have fitted sheets, only flat sheets.”  So just for a moment I imagined, lifting each corner of a mattress, hour after hour, day after day, week after week, year after year in 15 rooms every day. She shared the story of changing of beds with me to get to the really important point, which is how necessary it is for the workers at Hyatt Hotels to continue receiving their healthcare benefits, for themselves and their families.

These workers, members of UNITE-HERE, Local #1, have been in contract negotiations for more than 2 years and last week Hyatt threatened to cut off their healthcare benefits effective Feb. 29, 2012. It is critical that the community demonstrate our support of these workers and their cause

Please join these workers in their struggle to convince Hyatt they need their health benefits as we rally stage a rally at Hyatt's Headquarters:

Thursday, Dec. 15^th, 3:00p.m. 

Global Hyatt Headquarters

71 S. Wacker Drive

Chicago

Thank you in advance for your prayers and direct engagement, as we support our brothers and sisters in their fight for economic justice.

Mary Crayton . . . a Steelworkers Daughter

Trinity UCC - Justice Watch Team

The Last Note From Troy Davis

To All:

I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith. It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.

As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case about Troy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail.

I cannot answer all of your letters but I do read them all, I cannot see you all but I can imagine your faces, I cannot hear you speak but your letters take me to the far reaches of the world, I cannot touch you physically but I feel your warmth everyday I exist.

So Thank you and remember I am in a place where execution can only destroy your physical form but because of my faith in God, my family and all of you I have been spiritually free for some time and no matter what happens in the days, weeks to come, this Movement to end the death penalty, to seek true justice, to expose a system that fails to protect the innocent must be accelerated. 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. We need to dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country.

I can’t wait to Stand with you, no matter if that is in physical or spiritual form, I will one day be announcing,

“I AM TROY DAVIS, and I AM FREE!”

Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!

Pastor Moss' Reflection after hearing of Troy Davis' Execution . . .

The tragedy of our justice system is the uneven, discriminatory application of the punishment.

The evil of the death penalty is state sponsored death, supported and sponsored by known human imperfection.

The sin of our nation is our hubris in claiming Christianity in one hand and the religion of retaliation in the other.

The ignorance of our americanized faith is that we do not recognize our Savior was a death row inmate, executed unjustly for a crime He did not commit.

Lord Help us, 
Then motivate us.

Amen

Troy Davis Appeal Denied!

The Georgia Board of Parsons and Parole announced this morning that it has denied the appeal for clemency for Troy Davis. He is scheduled to be executed Wednesday, September 21^st, at 7pm eastern time (6pm central time).

But, even in light of this news, we must continue this fight to the end. One last chance lies with Chatham County District Attorney Larry Chisolm, who originally petitioned the court for the death penalty, to petition the judge to withdraw the death warrant agains Troy Davis. Please Click Here to go to the NAACP page and sign the petition that will be delivered to D.A. Chisolm today, requesting that he withdraw the death warrant.

In addition, the Chicago Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, along with other Troy Davis supporters, is planning a vigil/rally to save his life, Wednesday at 5pm, in the Daley Plaza in Chicago (Washington and Clark Streets). They also ask that you call Mr. Chisolm's office at 912-652-7308 or fax him at 912-652-7328, and to call the Board of Parsons and Parole offices at 404-656-5651, and continue to asks for clemency for Troy.

While his earthly hope lies with Mr. Chisolm, we also know that there is power in prayer. Please remain prayerful that justice will be done for Brother Davis, that his life will be spared now, and that eventually he will be given a new trial . . . a chance to once and for all prove his innocence.

Please keep up the fight!

Daryle Brown
Trinity UCC - Justice Watch Team

I Am Troy Davis!

"I am Troy Davis" is the slogan and chant that has become synonymous with efforts to gain a new trial for Troy Davis. Convicted of killing a police office in Savanna, GA, Troy has been in jail for over 20 years, and has a current execution date of September 21, 2011.

He has held strong to his claim of innocence from the start, and 7 of the 9 original eye-witnesseshave since recanted their testimony. His cause has been taken up by the NAACP, Amnesty International, and many other organizations, as well as a host of prominent individuals including: Pastor Otis Moss III, former President Jimmy Carter, Al Sharpton, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former FBI Director and judge William S. Sessions . . . all calling for the courts to grant a new trial. But, of course, his most critical support has come from people like you and me.

As September 21st draws near, we must not give up hope. Please take a  moment to do one, or all of the following:

• Click Here to go to the NAACP "Too Much Doubt" Page and write a letter, or sign a petition
• Fax a letter of support to 404-651-8502, or send an email to webmaster@pap.state.ga.us telling the Parole Board in Georgia that Troy must not be killed

On behalf of Pastor Moss, and especially of Troy Davis and his family, thank you for lending your voice to this call for justice.

Below is a report from Marlene Martin of the Chicago chapter of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty that gives a great perspective on the campaign to save Troy's life.

Daryle Brown
Trinity United Church of Christ-Justice Watch Team

OUR JOURNEY TO RALLY FOR TROY
By Marlene Martin 

Four of us in the Chicago chapter of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty set out in the wee hours on Friday morning for a 12-hour trek to Atlanta to take part in a march and rally to save the life of Troy Anthony Davis, who is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, September 21. 

We were weary and anxious as we pulled into Atlanta's downtown, parked and then headed over to the Woodruff Park, where the march was due to begin. Then we saw it--a sea of blue shirts adorned with the slogan "I AM TROY DAVIS"--and our collective weariness faded away. 

More than 3,000 people gathered in the park--old and young, with handmade and printed signs. We soon found our contingent, a group of people chanting and beating plastic drums. We saw Mark Clements, a former Burge police torture victim from Illinois in the middle of it all, leading the chants with his trusty bullhorn. Mark had flown down a day earlier to take part in a panel discussion for Troy. Former death row prisoners Darby Tillis and Lawrence Hayes would also soon be joining us in Atlanta. 

After a few minutes, we started off on the mile-long march. We were heading straight for the historic Ebenezer Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was once pastor.
Our contingent swelled to more than 100, with many around us joining in, as our chants rang out confidently: "Say what? Testify! We won't let Troy Davis die!" "It's not justice, its a lie, Troy Davis must not die!" and " They say death row, we say hell no!" 

It was clear when we arrived at the church that not everyone would get in. Sure enough, Ebenezer Baptist filled to its capacity 2,500. 

For those who couldn't get in, an impromptu rally began just steps away. Mark Clements spoke first. He told the crowd how he, too, was Troy Davis--having been arrested and charged with a crime he did not commit, for which he served 28 years in prison before winning his release. Mark underscored the importance of fighting back, saying, "We have made a determination to be noisy. It's time for us, the people, to understand that in all of us, there's a Troy Davis." 

Darby Tillis sang a song about Troy and talked about the racism inherent in the system, and Troy's cousin spoke, urging people to keep up the pressure on the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. 

People were spirited, encouraged and realized the importance of what we were doing--that it was up to us to save Troy. That was a mission everyone seemed to take very seriously. And we were very aware that we were just one part of an international effort to save Troy. We chanted, "The whole world is watching!" 

Meanwhile, inside the packed church, people heard from various civil rights leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network; Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP; entertainer and civil rights legend Dick Gregory; as well as exonerated death row prisoners Shujaa Graham and Larry Drinkard. Prayer and music filled the program, including a song by the Indigo Girls. People rose to their feet many times, applauding the rousing speeches. 

By far, the most moving part of the program came at the very end when many people had already started leaving. The Davis family was asked to come to the front to address the crowd. Troy's sister, Martina Correia, who has led the fight for her brother, was too sick to attend--she suffers from breast cancer. But with cane in hand, Kim Davis made her way across the stage, accompanied by her 20-year-old nephew De'Jaun, Martina's son--both of them wearing their bright blue "I AM TROY DAVIS" T-shirts. 

Kim, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, thanked the crowd for all they were doing and reported that Troy was amazed at the showing of support. De'Jaun then spoke and talked about how he has visited Troy for the past 20 years, and what a positive presence his uncle has been in his life. De'Jaun talked about the courage he has gotten from his mother Martina. He said the press asks him how their family is dealing with the upcoming execution date, and he says that they are responding the same way they have for over 20 years--with strength and courage. Many of us in the audience were crying when he spoke. He ended by leading the crowd in a chant of "I AM TROY DAVIS, YOU ARE TROY DAVIS, WE ARE TROY DAVIS.” It was electric. 

On our way back to Chicago the next day, we called Martina. Her voice sounded stronger than it had a couple of days earlier. She was anxious to hear about the march and rally. "I heard De'Jaun said I had passed him the baton, and he agreed to take it," she said Yes, we told her, and we gave her a blow-by-blow description of the event. 

As Martina told us, "After all the years of going to speak at different events, getting on planes and in cars and traveling all over to speak to so many different organizations, I just never would have imagined that this was going to be the result. It's like the movement for Troy has a life of its own. It's so wonderful. And now, if they try to go through with it, they are going to have such a hard time, because so many people are going to be outraged." 

During our conversation, Martina talked about how she was hoping to visit Troy, even though she has been too weak to get out of a wheelchair for more than a few steps, and had recently had a feeding tube inserted, as well as a tube placed in her lung to drain fluid. "My oncologist is arranging to go with me so I can visit with Troy," she said. 

When I asked her if there was anything that we could do for her or anything she needed, she said only, "Please tell everyone about your coming to Atlanta and what that was like."
So here this is--for Martina and for all of you. 

On our way down, we scribbled out a note to drop in the mail to Troy. I saw the part that Ken, another Campaigner who made the journey down from Chicago, wrote to Troy. He thanked Troy, explaining that because of him that he was inspired to get involved in the abolitionist movement. 

It is clear that many thousands of people now feel exactly the way Ken does. It's clear by the massive outpouring of support for Troy that people have been inspired by his case and will continue to fight for justice 

We left Atlanta optimistic and encouraged about what is to come in the next few days. Georgia officials must now know that they can't get away with killing Troy without it resulting in massive anger at a system so reluctant to stop a tragic injustice from occurring.
There will be a vigil and rally outside of Troy's clemency hearing on Monday, September 19--the last change for an innocent man to plead for his life from the state of Georgia. 

We are urging everyone to continue to fax (404-651-8502) and e-mail (webmaster@pap.state.ga.us) the parole board with the message that that Troy must not be killed--and to continue to get signatures on petitions and letters of support for Troy. Three out of five of these members have to vote for clemency for it to be granted. The decision of the board is expected late on Monday or Tuesday. 

If you are able to hold a petitioning event on your campus or in your community to stand in solidarity with the vigil in Atlanta. we urge you to do so. 

For more information about Troy's case or how to get involved in this struggle, please go to our website at http://NoDeathPenalty.org

Randi Jones Hensley contributed to his report.