On the LAKE Front

Valdosta State Students defend their right of free speech

Campus authorities tried getting students to move away from the University Center where Governor Nathan Deal was having a luncheon. The students stood their ground.

Here's the video.

Protesting Gov. Nathan Deal at Valdosta State University (VSU), 16 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

The students had been standing on the sidewalk in front of the

Pardons board rejects clemency for Troy Davis

So now it's down to Gov. Deal.

In the VDT via AP today:

Georgia's pardons board rejected a last-ditch clemency plea from death row inmate Troy Davis on Tuesday despite high-profile support from figures including the pope and a former FBI director for the claim that he was wrongly convicted of killing a police officer in 1989.

Davis is scheduled to die Wednesday by injection for the killing of off-duty Savannah officer Mark MacPhail, who was slain while rushing to help a homeless man being attacked. It is the fourth time in four years that Davis' execution has been scheduled by Georgia officials.

Steve Hayes, spokesman for the Board of Pardons and Paroles, said

What about VSU President selection? —Bobbi Anne Hancock to Nathan Deal @ VSU 16 September 2011

VSU student Bobbi Anne Hancock asked Gov. Nathan Deal what was going on with the selection process for a new president for Valdosta State University. He went on at some length but I can't quite make out whether he answered the question.

Here's the video:

What about VSU President selection? —Bobbi Anne Hancock to Nathan Deal @ VSU 16 September 2011
Student protesters,
Press Conference, Gov. Nathan Deal (VSU),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 16 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

-jsq

What about Phil Kent? — Kathryn Grant to Gov. Deal @ VSU 16 Sep 2011

VSU student Kathryn Grant asked Gov. Nathan Deal about his Immigration Enforcement Review Board appointee Phil Kent. The governor responded at length.

Here's the video:

What about Phil Kent? — Kathryn Grant to Gov. Deal @ VSU 16 Sep 2011
Student protesters,
Press Conference, Gov. Nathan Deal (VSU),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 16 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

-jsq

WALB on protesters and Gov. Deal at VSU

Jade Bulecza wrote for WALB today, Protesters approach governor on Troy Davis

South Georgia death penalty opponents took their protest to the governor while he was in Valdosta.

Governor Deal was in Valdosta to tour VSU's nursing college but death penalty opponents confronted him about the upcoming execution of cop killer Troy Davis.

A small group of demonstrators gathered a VSU to plead for clemency for Troy Davis.

"We hope he uses his influence to the pardons and parole board to get out get rid of this execution," said Deandre Jones, the president of the VSU's NAACP college chapter.

Protesters approached the governor as he left the university center.

"The committee has followed the legal process and has gone through the appellate court," said Deal.

Davis' execution is set for Wednesday for killing an off duty Savannah police officer in 1989.

Student protesters greet GA Gov. Nathan Deal @ VSU 16 Sep 2011

Possibly the last thing Gov. Nathan Deal expected to find at Valdosta State University greeted him: student protesters!

Their main question was about the impending Sept. 21st execution of Troy Anthony Davis, about whom Amnesty International says there is too much doubt.

Student protesters greet Governor Nathan Deal at Valdosta State University, 16 Sep 2011.
Pictures by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

The press had already noticed:

Gov. Deal in Valdosta right now tomorrow

A little birdie tells me this is his schedule for today tomorrow. -jsq

7:30	Breakfast at the Quitman-Brooks Co. Museum & Cultural Center (202 North Culpepper Street, Quitman)
8:00	Walk across the street to Brooks Co. Courthouse to have a skillet contest and media opportunity (Brooks Co. Skillet Festival is the next day - Saturday, September 17 <96> a kickoff for the festival)
8:30	Depart Brooks Co., travel to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (4089 Val-Tech Road, Valdosta)
9:00	Arrive WGTC, tour for one hour
10:00	Depart WGTC, travel to South Georgia Medical Center (2501 North Patterson Street, Valdosta)
10:15	Arrive SGMC, tour for 45 minutes
11:00	Depart SGMC, travel to Valdosta State University Nursing Building (1500 North Patterson Street, Valdosta)
11:15	Tour VSU Nursing Building
11:35	Walk across street to VSU University Center for lunch/presentation
11:45 — 1:15	Luncheon, VSU University Center