Troy Davis - Stay of Execution

Good News!

Troy Davis received a stay of execution based on a new last-minute appeal filed this past Wednesday to the federal appeals court in Atlanta. As a result, he will not be executed on Monday, October 27th, as originally scheduled.

At least 300,000 individuals have written letters in support of Troy. Additionally, prominent leaders such as former President Jimmy Carter, the Pope, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have all called for justice in this case. Yesterday, Amnesty International organized a Global Day of Action in which hundreds of activists in dozens of countries around the world came together to stand in solidarity for Troy. From Atlanta to Seattle, New York to Paris and Milan– hundreds of supporters gathered at rallies wearing T-shirts and holding signs that read "I am Troy Davis." On Wednesday, the European Legislature issued a statement calling for Troy's execution to be halted.

We now await the decision of the federal appeals court, which will determine whether Troy's case warrants a new hearing. We believe their ruling could happen at any time during the next month.

To stay informed about Troy Davis' case and to find out how to take additional actions, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org/troydavis

Little Leap Forward

Little Leap Forward is an interesting chapter book about a young boy, called Leap Forward, living in China at the the time of the revolution. Leap Forward captures a beautiful bird in the hope that he can play along on his flute with the notes it sings. He soon realises that the bird refuses to sing in a cage and a dreadful decision is forced upon Leap Forward.

The story is stunningly illustrated throughout and excellently written to help us understand the life that Leap Forward lives. It teaches children about the value of freedom, and how Leap Forward and the bird suffered without it.

Little Leap Forward

URGE CLEMENCY FOR TROY DAVIS

Troy Davis was charged with killing Mark MacPhail, an off-duty police officer, in Savannah, Ga., in 1989. Davis had gone to the aid of a homeless man who was being pistol-whipped in a parking lot. Seeing the gun, he said he fled. MacPhail, working security nearby, intervened next, and was killed. Davis, an African-American, claimed his innocence, but was found guilty and sentenced to death. Since his conviction, seven of the nine non-police witnesses have recanted their testimony, alleging police coercion and intimidation in obtaining their testimony. By coming forward and recanting, they face serious repercussions, possibly jail time. Some have identified a different man as the shooter. This man is one of Davis’ remaining accusers.

In July 2007, Davis faced his first execution date. Just a day before he was to be executed, the Georgia Pardons Board granted a stay of execution for up to 90 days. Then, Davis’ attorneys argued before the Georgia Supreme Court for a retrial or for a hearing to present new evidence. The requests were denied, by a 4-to-3 vote. In the same period, the U.S. Supreme Court was weighing whether death by lethal injection constituted cruel and unusual punishment (the court ultimately allowed its use).

Troy Davis was scheduled to be executed on September 23rd, but the US Supreme Court granted a temporary stay of execution. The US Supreme Court has now declined to hear his appeal. but serious doubts about his guilt remain and compelling evidence of his innocence will now never be heard in court.

If you believe, like I do, that the Death Penalty is immoral and inhumane, OR, if you think that there are serious doubts over Davis' guilt, then PLEASE ACT NOW!!

Take urgent action to urge clemency for Troy Davis at Amnesty USA

Arthur Of Albion Wins Award

We are delighted to inform you that Arthur of Albion has won a Gold Award from the National Parenting Publications Awards!

Now in its 18th year, NAPPA is the most comprehensive awards program for Children’s Products and Parenting Resources. Our independent panel of judges are experts in their fields with extensive professional experience working with children and parents. They evaluate hundreds of products to select the most fun, appealing, safe, educational, age-appropriate and enduring products so that parents can make the best purchasing choices for their families.

To find out more, Click Here.