Happy birthday to Troy

Last month we told you about the Troy Anthony Davis Innocence Matters Video Project.

For all the details, go to the above link. But in a nutshell, Troy Anthony Davis is a person on Georgia's death row who many of us believe to be innocent. Next Tuesday, Oct. 9 is Troy's birthday. We're asking people to use their cell phones, video cameras, whatever, to record a short video wishing Troy a happy birthday and telling the state of Georgia that innocence matters. We're then asking people to upload their videos to YouTube by going here.

As of this writing, we have 32 videos and they have been seen, collectively, more than 4,000 times.

These numbers are astounding. They inform us of several things.

First, new media works. YouTube allows people to become their own manufacturers and disseminators of information. Many folks would rather create their own video then go home, flop on the couch and turn on the old TV.

Second, innocence matters. There are, of course, a number of arguments against the death penalty. Innocence is a great conversation-starter.

Third, Troy Anthony Davis is increasingly becoming a well-known name both in the U.S. and around the world. We have (unsolicited) videos up on the YouTube page that have come in from England, France, Panama and Switzerland.

Finally: Even if you can't record your own video, you can help by visiting the YouTube page and checking out some of the videos that are posted. You can help by telling other blogs about this campaign. You can help by telling your friends, your family, members of your church, synagogue or mosque.

Because innocence matters.