Religious Leaders Tweet in Protest to Troy Davis Execution
September 26, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Church, Leaders, Ministry Updates, News, Technology
Much of America was in an uproar over the Troy Davis execution on Wednesday, September 21. For those unfamiliar with the events concerning his trial and execution, here is a Wikipedia summary.
Along with the barrage of political and civic commentators taking positions, several Christian leaders made their voices heard including Bishop T.D. Jakes who wrote, “Praying for the family and friends of Troy Davis! Such a tragedy!!” and several others whose responses are detailed below.
Bishop Donald Hilliard wrote in a newsletter to members:
Bishop Donald Hilliard, Cathedral International, Perth Amboy, NJ
We mourn the loss of Troy Davis and pray for his family and all involved. We also pray for the family of the officer who lost his life 19 years ago—may they eventually find solace in the Lord. This indeed is a watershed moment for our nation and yet another example of a gross miscarriage of justice. In the words of Troy Davis, “The struggle for justice doesn’t end with me-this struggle is for all the Troy Davis’ who came before me, and all the ones who will come after me.” It’s sadly too often, too many. The one redeeming outcome of this situation is the rise in the social consciousness and activism of our young adult population. Many forget or are just unaware that the Civil Rights Movement was built on the blood, sweat, tears and prayers of teens and young adults. Dr. Martin Luther King was 26 years old when he led the1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. Prayerfully, this won’t become “back page” news and the current momentum for change in our justice system will strengthen and not dissipate.
In times like these, in spite of our anger, frustration, sadness or disappointment, we must refer to the Word of God. Romans 8:38-39 says, ” For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Our greatest hope still remains in Christ. So, let us pray and participate in shaping our culture to be more reflective of the character of Christ. However, the world must first see it in us.Â
Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant of Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church (Baltimore, MD) tweeted:
Flier for Troy Davis Event at Empowerment Temple (Pastor, Dr. Jamal Harrison-Bryant)
- “This generation has been rebellious without a cause. Well, #Troydavis is now our cause, let’s rebel!†on September 20 followed promptly by this retweet: RT @MichellePeele: are we 2 rebel because he’s black or because he’s actually innocent?…b/c he’s guilty of being black in a racist system
Bryant’s church also made the Troy Davis discussion the central part of its Sunday service on September 25.
Reverend Al Sharpton’s twitter feed had several references to Troy Davis including:
- “I was just notified that clemency was denied Troy Davis. This is the most blatant example of injustice I have seen in years. This is WRONG†on Tuesday morning. And after going to the prison to participate in a vigil, Sharpton later tweeted, “This is a sad sad day. We must fight through our tears and CHANGE these draconian death penalty laws. I promised Troy.” and wrote an online commentary in which he stated, “I  will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Justice Department to push for a federal law that prohibits any state from prosecuting a capital case based solely on eyewitness testimony. Nowhere in America should an individual be executed again without any concrete physical evidence.”
Bishop Paul S. Morton, Changing a Generation FGBC, Atlanta, GA
situation,” Bishop Paul posted two responses, “ I believe this is the worse sign in injustice that have seen in a long time. We need to pray power has gone to man’s head” and “ 7 out of 9 witnesses said they were made 2 say what they said 3 Jurors said verdict unfair Pray for this kkk spirit in Ga.”
Later Morton was asked if capital punishment was sin to which he responded, “I believe the word that the law is for the lawless. The word says you live by the sword you die by the sword” & “I believe in capital punishment if proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. When you brag like a Bin Laden you reap what you sow”.
I truly believe (based on the only thing that this justice system uses to determine the TRUTH)that the facts/evidence were “clearly” not enough to execute Troy Davis. I believe that RACISM…the same thing that is evidently causing this nation’s decline and fast-paced race towards destruction is also one of the main factors which determined that an innocent man can yet be murdered in a State where this “dreadful, horrific” sickness of the heart and soul (RACISM)obviously yet exist. If you allow a woman (Casey Anthony) to go free who ALL who witnessed the case believes that evidence clearly proved her guilt, but was allowed to get off “scott-free” due to the fact that a indecisive jury believed the defense can avoid “death row” or hardly any conviction at…how can you murder Troy Davis when over half of the witnesses recanted their statements and jurors are stating that they wish they could of had the evidence they do now, they’d of voted different.
Our system is soooooo broken now that it’s frightening to know that innocent lives can once again be taken from people (especially African Americans) just because if a crime is committed against a Caucasian person, somebody has to die. Whether we believe it or not, the hands of time in this country has already been turned back to the way it used to be before the Civil Rights Act became effective. I believe that this Troy Davis case is a “loud & clear” message to the Black Community that they are now willing to do ANYTHING in an effort to try & take back this country to where they can regain control of us and keep up beneath them. I believe that there are those of the Caucasian race who’d rather die in the midst of taking this country down through a Revolutionary War than to have one more term of having to “submit” to a black President. And we’re fighting each other in our own community??? You’d better wake up…and get a grip & a clue African Americans!
I truly believe (based on the only thing that this justice system uses to determine the TRUTH)that the facts/evidence were “clearly†not enough to execute Troy Davis. I Kow that RACISM with it’s political face the same thing that is evidently causing this nation’s decline and fast-paced race towards destruction is also one of the main factors which determined that an innocent man can yet be murdered in a State where this “horrific†sickness of the heart and soul (RACISM…that exist in aPolitcal form)obviously yet exist. If God’s people would band together pray, rather han protest based on:
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2Ch 7:15 (KJV) Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For the prayers of the righteous availeth much with God; It moves Him on His Thron.