VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) -
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.
Governor Nathan Deal arrived the college of nursing at Valdosta State University by bus. School officials showed him the building is old and not equipped for nursing students.
"We want to make the point that there's a dire need in south Georgia for health care professionals and healthcare educators too," said Louis Levy, VSU's interim president.
A new Health Sciences and Business administration building is on the Board of Regents' list of recommendations for fiscal year 2013.
"I understand the need for the building and I hope you will be pleased when those recommendations move forward in the legislative process," said Governor Deal.
He touched on immigration issues, the importance of visiting south Georgia and the high unemployment rate that exceeds the national average.
"That's regrettable," said Deal. "We're working diligently to bring jobs to our state."
He says they're doing it in small increments. Governor Deal toured Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, South Georgia Medical Center and downtown businesses.
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