Fight Back News Service urges all our readers to support this event

Mumia Abu-Jamal—father, husband and grandfather—is an internationally renowned US political prisoner, widely honored for his piercing indictments of the racial inequities and brutal imperialist powers of the US. Abu-Jamal was originally targeted for surveillance and “neutralization” when he was a 15 year-old spokesman for the Black Panther Party in Philadelphia, by the FBI.

By the age of 26, Mumia Abu-Jamal was an award-winning radio journalist with a wide following, known as the “voice of the voiceless” and outspoken in his defense of the MOVE organization. On December 9, 1981, Mumia saw a police officer assaulting his brother. When he approached the scene he was critically shot, brutally beaten by the police, framed for the murder of Police Officer Daniel Faulkner and, in a sham of a trial, sentenced to death. Abu-Jamal is innocent!!!

Now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mumia and countless other aging political prisoners are facing another death sentence, along with all the thousands of other aging, vulnerable and immune-compromised prisoners in Pennsylvania and across the country. We can’t let them be murdered in their cells by this inhumane medical neglect. Join with the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal (ICFFMAJ), the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC), Mobilization 4 Mumia, The Campaign to Bring Mumia Home, the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition Bay Area and the many more organizers and activists in this International action to #FreeThemAll4PublicHealth!

Demands:

\* Gov. Tom Wolf: Approve immediate reprieves for Mumia and ALL political prisoners!

\* Incarceration during a global pandemic SHOULD NOT be a DEATH sentence

\* Immediate compassionate release for ALL aging, vulnerable and immune-compromised prisoners

\* Provide all prisoners with PPE and COVID-19 test on demand

\* End the solitary confinement lockdown NOW

\* Place those who are symptomatic into off-site medical facilities immediately.

From – http://www.freemumia.com/2020/04/twitter-storm-for-mumia/

#UnitedStates #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #MumiaAbuJamal #PoliceBrutality #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalPrisoners #Antiracism #PoliticalRepression #COVID19

Frackville, PA — Car caravans carrying over 40 people travelled from Philadelphia and New York City today to SCI Mahanoy prison in Frackville, Pennsylvania, in an effort to save the life of Mumia Abu-Jamal. After months of medical neglect, this U.S. political prisoner, who has supporters worldwide, had been diagnosed with and hospitalized for diabetic shock on March 30.

His family, friends and political supporters, many of whom have been actively fighting for Abu-Jamal’s freedom for decades, say that the prison authorities exacerbated his illness through bad diet and medical neglect and are trying to carry out an unofficial execution of the prisoner. They are calling for continued protests to prevent this execution.

Abu-Jamal had been rushed to Schuylkill Hospital in Pottsville, Pa., on March 30 for undiagnosed adult-onset diabetes with blood sugar levels over 700. Normal levels fluctuate around 100, and standard diabetes charts show 300 as dangerously high and requiring immediate treatment. After only two days in the civilian hospital, Abu-Jamal was returned late on April 1 to the prison infirmary — the same one that had mistreated his illness for months while his condition worsened.

Today, prison officials initially refused any in-prison visits to the world-renowned former death row prisoner. They relented after six carloads of supporters from Philadelphia, including a van of Philadelphia Student Union high school activists, and more cars from New York City converged at the entrance to the prison.

Those able to visit included Abu-Jamal’s brother, Keith Cook, Mike Africa, Johanna Fernandez andI Abdul Jon. They reported on Abu-Jamal’s shockingly diminished state of health: His skin was discolored and extremely scarred by severe eczema, and he appeared to have lost 80 pounds.

Although Abu-Jamal was confined to a wheelchair and hampered by slurred speech, they said he was alert. He told them, “I believe in the power of the people.”

Abu-Jamal spent almost 30 years on Pennsylvania death row after he was convicted of first degree murder on July 3, 1982, stemming from the 1981 killing of a white police officer in Philadelphia. He has consistently proclaimed his innocence.

Amnesty International maintains that Abu-Jamal’s original trial, which was irredeemably tainted by politics and racism, failed to meet international fair trial standards. State and federal appeals for a new trial to prove his innocence have been systematically denied by the courts.

Mass movement saved his life before

Immediately after Abu-Jamal’s execution was scheduled in the summer of 1995, a march of 25,000 people in Philadelphia forced the state to rescind the execution. Another 17 years of worldwide protests finally won Abu-Jamal’s release from death row in 2012.

Thousands of phone calls and emails to the Department of Corrections since Abu-Jamal was hospitalized forced officials to relent on their refusals to allow family members and friends to visit him.

Nonetheless, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections appears intent on executing him by medical neglect. Had prison doctors diagnosed and treated him for type 2 diabetes — which would be the standard diagnosis for such commom symptoms as eczema, skin rashes and frequent urination that Mumia experienced over the previous three months — he would not have needed to be rushed unconscious to the hospital.

Speakers demanded the right of all prisoners to decent health care. They insist prison officials allow specialist doctors of Abu-Jamal’s choice to assess, diagnose and treat whatever is the cause of these symptoms.

Following the rally at SCI Mahanoy, the assembly packed up picket signs and banners and traveled 80 miles south to the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Officials initially refused to meet with protesters, but as the crowd grew in size — and obviously showed they were not in a mood to leave — DOC Press Secretary Susan McNaughton agreed to meet with about 20 supporters who argued for Mumia’s life, with many documenting the encounter.

“Millionaire convicted murderer John DuPont was allowed to have his choice of medical personnel treat him,” said Joanna Fernandez. “Why can’t Mumia?”

“Today is Good Friday, the day Jesus was executed. Haven’t you learned anything from that?” said Kevin Price. “It was a state execution back then too!” yelled someone from the back of the crowd.

“We’ll be here every day until we get what Mumia’s needs,” said Pam Africa.

The demonstrators demanded a face-to-face meeting with DOC Commissioner John Wetzel on April 6, and only left after McNaughton promised to relay the requests to her supervisors.

A press release from the Campaign to Bring Mumia Home, the Free Mumia Coalition, MOVE, International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Philadelphia International Action Center listed the following demands: no execution by medical neglect and torture; daily visits by Mumia’s family, friends and attorneys; quality health care and treatment for all prisoners; and the release of Mumia Abu-Jamal, all political prisoners and the terminally ill and elderly (over 55) from Pennsylvania prisons!

What you can do to help

People are urged to continue making calls to Secretary of Department of Corrections John Wetzel at 717-728-4109 to demand Mumia be immediately allowed to be treated by doctors of his choice.

On Feb. 13, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf declared a moratorium on the death penalty. Call his office to demand a halt to the state’s attempt to execute Mumia through medical neglect: 717-772-2500.

Donations to help pay for lifesaving medical care and other costs can be made through tinyurl.com/nv7jqem.

To view the video, “Mumia’s family and supporters present demands to the Dept. of Corrections, Mechanicsburg, PA 4/3/2015” go to: by Power to the People Radio Program

To view the video, “April 3 NYC emergency protest: No medical execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal!”, go to by Peoples Video Network

#FrackvillePA #MumiaAbuJamal #PoliticalPrisoners

Philadelphia, PA – After 30 years, political prisoner and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal is no longer on death row. On Dec. 7, 2011, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced that he would not seek a new sentencing hearing to try to re-sentence Abu-Jamal to the death penalty. He has now been moved to SCI Mahanoy after spending the last 30 years on Pennsylvania’s death row.

This is a stunning development in Abu-Jamal’s case. He has been on death row since 1982, after being wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death for killing a police officer in 1981. A broad and powerful movement rallied in defense of Mumia for decades, decrying the racism and injustice in his case, going up against seemingly impossible odds to try to stop his execution and win his freedom.

District Attorney Williams’ decision not to pursue the death penalty for Abu-Jamal comes after an Oct. 11, 2011 U.S. Supreme Court decision to not hear the Philadelphia district attorney’s appeal of a federal court ruling that that the sentencing portion of Abu-Jamal’s 1982 trial had violated the constitution. The Supreme Court decision forced the district attorney to either conduct a new sentencing hearing or change Abu-Jamal’s sentence to a life term without parole. Williams chose not to conduct a new sentencing hearing, likely fearing a reopening of any portion of Abu-Jamal’s thoroughly flawed trial. As a result of this decision, Mumia Abu-Jamal no longer faces the death penalty.

While Abu-Jamal sat in a small cell on death row in virtual isolation for three decades and came close to scheduled execution dates several times, the courts stonewalled his attempts to win justice up and down the line. In that context, his supporters consider this a victory, though one that doesn’t bring true justice. It simply opens the door to the next phase of the struggle – to win freedom for Mumia. According to a statement by the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, “This is not an ending, it is a new beginning for the movement supporting Abu-Jamal's quest for release.”

Write to Mumia Abu-Jamal to express your solidarity. His new address is:

Mumia Abu-Jamal

#AM 8335

SCI Mahanoy

301 Morea Road

Frackville, PA 17932

#PhiladelphiaPA #MumiaAbuJamal #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #DeathPenalty #DeathRow #PoliticalPrisoners

Revolutionary journalist, and former member of the Black Panther Party, Mumia Abu Jamal is unjustly imprisoned for the killing of a police officer in Philadelphia. Overwhelming new evidence shows that Abu Jamal was denied a fair trial.

In 1981, Abu Jamal was driving a cab and working as a writer for local and national newspapers. Early one morning, he came upon a scene in North Philly. A police officer was struggling with a man, who Abu Jamal found out to be his brother. In the incident, Abu Jamal was shot, as was the cop. Witnesses not allowed to testify at the trial, describe seeing a third person fleeing from the scene. When the police arrived on the scene, Abu Jamal was beaten severely, then brought to the hospital. The officer died on the way to the hospital.

The Police claim that Abu Jamal the shooter, yet the gun registered to him was .38 caliber and the gun that killed the officer was .44 caliber. The prosecution was unable to connect Abu Jamal's gun to the murder. The prosecution could not confirm that Abu Jamal had even fired a gun that evening, which is standard procedure in a murder case. In later trials, none of this evidence was presented, because of lack of resources in his defense.

Prosecution witnesses have come forward and said the police intimidated them, to tell their (police) story. Some were actually told that pending charges against them would be dropped if they named Abu Jamal as the killer.

Judge Sabo presided over Abu Jamal's original case and the appeals to this date. Widely referred to as “the Hanging Judge,” Sabo has sentenced more people to death than any other judge in US history. All but two have been African American. Sabo has seen the new evidence, but ruled that it is not admissible for a new trial. To have a fair trial, Abu Jamal's case must be presided over by another judge.

Abu Jamal's life long commitment to the fight for justice was used in his trial as means to convict him in front of an all white jury. One issue, that he was a member of the Black Panther Party, was brought up over and over.

The stakes are high. Mumia's life is on the line. He is a Black man and working person who speaks out and tells the plain truth about America today, our country is in the hands of a small group of exploiters who will do anything to keep things the way they are. The rich and powerful hope that by jailing a liberator, they can jail liberation. And that by killing a revolutionary, they can kill the struggle for a world free of oppression.

The trial, conviction, and attempt to execute Mumia is motivated by politics, the kind of politics that says that the privileged have a right to privilege and this is how it has to be.

Anyone and everyone who stands for justice must demand another trial for Mumia. We must do this everyday and in every way. We must reach out to people that we work with, our neighbors, and those in our religious communities. We have to build a movement of millions to free this political prisoner, a brother who has done nothing wrong and everything right. All out to defend Mumia Abu Jamal!

#UnitedStates #Editorial #Editorials #MumiaAbuJamal #MOVE #BlackPanthersParty #PoliticalPrisoners

The following is one in a regular series of commentaries by Mumia Abu Jamal from SCI Greene Prison

The great French writer, Anatoli Franz, once wrote, “The law in its majestic equality, forbids the rich and the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.”

As the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ reach daily record levels and as every major media outlet boasts about the booming economy, the problem of homelessness abounds. A recent TV network report claimed that in New York City alone, over 400,000 people were millionaires and that a bare handful of city residents have annual incomes that exceed that of several nations.

In the midst of this unprecedented wealth, in one of the wealthiest nations on earth, lies hollow, soul-devouring poverty, and even homelessness. In a response that gives a whole new meaning to the term draconian, New York's Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced the city's plans to toss thousands of women, children and men out of city-run shelters and into cold wintry New York City streets.

Those found to be homeless in the streets will find a new place to stay, Rykers Island Prison. And to those who dare seek refuge in the shelters, they are forced to work in what is essentially slave labor, or their children will be snatched away from them and placed in foster homes.

Giuliani, in classic autocrat fashion, has criminalized homelessness.

With a small-minded nastiness of more prison warden than political leader, Giuliani has chosen to banish or browbeat the homeless. Banish them from the streets or to browbeat them into accepting jobs that no one else wants, under threat of prison, or under the fear of the seizure of one's child. For these homeless poor this is not an economic boom but a time of griping terror.

If homelessness is a crime, it is one committed by a system that does not fairly distribute social wealth, does not educate poor youth, nor provide decent social services. In a nation where capital is the greatest possible attainment, poverty is the greatest possible offense. To the ruthless El Duce, Giuliani, the homeless poor are to be put in prison for daring to mar city streets. And better a jail cell than a homeless shelter, for there, one feeds the prison industrial complex.

This is Rudy's job application to the ruling class, as he gives reign his to unbridled ambition. But there's a malevolent method to Rudy's madness, for as Mayor of the capitol of capital, the interests of big business are paramount. It was these interests that pushed for so-called welfare reform, meaning the abolition of welfare, and are pushing now the slave labor angle on the homeless.

Why? Well, scholars Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward in their book, The New Class War, made that point about welfare, which strengthened the hand of labor. They wrote, “If the desperation of the unemployed is moderated by the availability of various benefits, they will be less eager to take any job on any terms.” In short, there is an emerging recognition from analysts of all political persuasions that the income maintenance programs have weakened capital's ability to depress wages, especially by means of manipulating the relative numbers of people searching for work.

In effect, These programs have altered the terms of struggle between business and labor.

As a result, unemployment has lost some of it's terror, both for the unemployed and for those currently working. With those programs now gone or going, the terrors represented by the homeless serve to discipline and curb an anxious working class which is precisely what Rudy means to do.

From Death Row, this is Mumia Abu Jamal.

#WaynesburgPA #CapitalismAndEconomy #Commentary #HousingStruggles #MumiaAbuJamal #Homeless

March participant Anh Pham, a member of the University of Minnesota's Progressive Student Organization said, “It's great to see that people are recognizing that Mumia's case ties in with an overall system of injustice. There are people here talking about Mumia's case and police brutality in all our communities, different national liberation movements, and the US bombing of Yugoslavia. The system is showing cracks and the people are speaking out.”

#PhiladelphiaPA #News #AfricanAmerican #MumiaAbuJamal #PoliticalPrisoners #DeathPenalty #ProgressiveStudentOrganization #BlackPantherParty

Philadelphia, PA – On October 13 1999, Governor Ridge of Pennsylvania signed a new warrant for “the execution by lethal injection of Mumia Abu-Jamal of Philadelphia.” The execution date is set for December 2.

Governor Ridge decided to sign Jamal's warrant despite the fact that Mumia still has appeals remaining. He is choosing to ignore the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations' recent call for a moratorium on all executions until the death penalty system is proven just.

One of the system's infirmities, acknowledged by the bar associations, has to do with racial prejudice. While nine percent of Pennsylvania's total population is African-American, for example, the percentage on death row is nearly seven times that amount (62%). This is the largest racial disparity of any state in the U.S.

A federal judge is expected to issue a stay of execution within the next few days. From there the appeal process will continue. The federal judge who gets this case is not required to grant a hearing. He could simply read the trial transcripts and issue a ruling. In fact, the 1996 federal law is specifically designed to discourage federal courts from reviewing and overturning death sentences handed down in the state courts. This is why the government has to hear a loud popular demand for a new trial for Mumia.

Mumia's immediate response was: “This is just the next stage of the fight. We will continue to fight. We will win!”

In general, action in the federal courts will go much faster than it did in the state courts. Thus we are now entering the final phase of the battle to save Mumia's life. This is why we must proceed with a greater sense of urgency and determination.

Steff Yorek, Political Secretary of Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “Justice for Mumia Abu Jamal will represent not simply justice for the man but also a victory against racism and national oppression. A victory for him will mean a victory for all of us. To make this happen we need to make his case an issue everywhere.”

Background and Source: PRNewswire

#PhiladelphiaPA #News #AfricanAmerican #MumiaAbuJamal #PoliticalPrisoners #DeathPenalty #GovernorRidge #execution

Background

Mumia Abu Jamal is a political prisoner on Pennsylvania's death row. Before his arrest he was an activist and journalist, a fighter for racial and economic justice in Philadelphia. He was convicted of shooting a police officer in a sham trial. Witnesses against him were threatened into testifying by the police. Routine tests on his gun, which may have cleared him, were never done or were lost. Police officers made up a confession three months after the fact, saying that they didn't think it was important enough to write down at the time. The prosecution argued for the death penalty based on his political beliefs.

For 15 years, supporters of Mumia have worked hard to save his life. For 15 years, Mumia has continued to speak out, “Live from Death Row.” Now, the next few months will determine what happens.

Decisive Period

The case is now in Federal Court. This is the last chance to have new evidence heard and to win a new trial based on that evidence. Judge Yohn does not have to grant an evidentiary hearing, and a 1996 law encourages judges in death penalty cases not to.

Tens of thousands of people have written letters to the judge, demanding that a hearing be held. Despite this, until recently it looked like the judge would not do the kind of review necessary to grant such a hearing. But now he has agreed to look at the whole record, and to take arguments from Mumia's lawyers about why he should not leave the State Court's “finding of fact” to stand. This is a positive step forward.

This is not the time to stop our protest. The timing of this new ruling is striking. It happened immediately after an international delegation met with attorneys from the justice department and presented them with 200,000 signatures to demanding justice for Mumia Abu Jamal. This stands as a reminder to the power of organizing.

By mid-April, Judge Yohn will make a decision on whether new evidence will ever be heard. Representatives of the campaign to free Mumia are asking that 100,000 letters be sent to the judge by then. They call on supporters, “Can't we all take this case to our schools, churches, professional associations, unions, and even to our friends and families?” They go on to say, “The next few months must feature our best efforts, our strongest measures, our most creative energies.”

#UnitedStates #News #AfricanAmerican #MumiaAbuJamal #LiveFromDeathRow #PoliticalPrisoners

Mumia Abu-Jamal, an African American journalist and revolutionary, is on Pennsylvania's death row for a crime he did not commit.

These protests are a move to increase the pressure on the government while Mumia's attorneys make what might be their final bid to have new evidence heard, and to win a new trial based on that evidence.

Organizer Zeno Wood stressed, “Now that Mumia's case is in the Federal courts, there are clear targets in every city across the country. Every city has a Federal building that we can organize rallies, protests and even civil disobedience at. We can send a clear message to Judge Yohn who is reviewing Mumia's case and to the Federal government that we aren't going to allow Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to execute Mumia.”

In New York, a broad coalition of organizations participated in the planning for the D.C. action, including the Student Liberation Action Movement, the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), anti-death penalty activists, Crusaders for Mumia, and Refuse and Resist. They were joined by contingents from across the country including the Howard Law School, Amnesty International, and student groups from Vassar, Bard, George Washington and American Universities along with high school students from many locales.

Following their arrest, 10 women from Crusaders for Mumia (a lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender affinity group) were singled out and strip-searched, which is against standard police procedure and court rulings.

One activist from New York, who participated in both the D.C. action and a July 4 civil disobedience stated, “These actions are vital contributions to raising the stakes against the death penalty and winning a new trial for Mumia.” She continued, “But it's also essential for us to continue reaching out to churches, block associations, and trade union locals, educating them about the racist nature of the death penalty and how Mumia's case warrants a new trial.”

#WashingtonDC #News #AfricanAmerican #MumiaAbuJamal #civilDisobedience #federalBuildingProtests #PoliticalPrisoners

Philadelphia, PA – 3,000 people rallied here Aug. 17, demanding freedom for framed death row revolutionary and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal. Speakers included Ossie Davis, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, poet Sonia Sanchez, Ramona Africa, comedian Dick Gregory, and Mayor Bernard Birsinger of Bobigny, France.

At the rally, police hovered overhead in two helicopters while U.S. federal marshals and the Philadelphia police kept watch on the ground. Despite the heavy police presence, no incidents or arrests occurred.

The daylong demonstration included a rally outside the courtroom that Mumia was to appear in. However, Mumia was denied access to his own hearing.

Mumia was barred from his own hearing by Philadelphia's corrections officials, who claimed that there was no room in their jails to transfer Mumia here for his court appearance.

This decision to not allow Mumia to be present at his own hearing went beyond the scope of their authority, yet Common Pleas Court Judge Pamela Pryor Dembe not only went along with this, she went further in stating that she would have to consult with local law enforcement as to whether to hold a hearing on new evidence in the future. The pretext she cited was the potential for demonstrations and disruptions to regular court business.

In response, one of Mumia's attorneys, Eliot Grossman, stated that what happens outside of court should not affect Mumia's legal rights.

Over objections from the prosecution, Mumia's attorneys read a statement from Mumia saying, “Today I am banned from a hearing in my name, in my defense, with no reason.”

As a freelance journalist, Mumia had exposed the murderous police brutality and political repression carried out by the Philadelphia police.

As a U.S. political prisoner, Mumia's case has received international attention and support from people such as Nelson Mandela and from the European Parliament.

A frame-up

Mumia Abu-Jamal was falsely convicted of killing a Philadelphia cop some 20 years ago.

The frame-up trial of Mumia included the testimony of three eyewitnesses (Veronica Jones, William Singletary, and Robert Chobert) who later said they were threatened and coerced by the police to get them to give false testimony against Mumia.

False evidence against Mumia also included a supposed confession to the police by Mumia the night he was arrested. But officer Gary Wakshul, who was with Mumia the entire time through his arrest and medical treatment, stated, “during this time the Negro male made no comment” in his original police report.

Yet Gary Wakshul testified at Mumia's trial that he heard Mumia confess that night. Gary Wakshul didn't remember this confession until almost three months after Mumia's arrest, when prosecutor McGill met with police asking for a confession. Officer Wakshul absurdly stated that he didn't think the confession was important at the time he wrote his original report.

This past May, Mumia's attorneys dropped a legal bombshell by submitting to the court a sworn affidavit that contains the confession of Arnold Beverly to the murder that Mumia is accused of committing.

This new evidence, that the court is refusing to hear, includes the confession of Arnold Beverly, who states, “I shot Faulkner at close range.” Faulkner was the cop Mumia is framed for killing. Beverly also states very clearly, “Faulkner was shot in the back and in the face before Jamal came on the scene. Jamal had nothing to do with the shooting.”

Eyewitness statements corroborate Arnold Beverly's confession. Beverly says he was wearing a green army jacket the night he shot Faulkner. William Singletary was there the night of the shooting. He says he saw a man shoot Faulkner and it was not Mumia. He also states that the actual killer was wearing a green army jacket.

Four eyewitnesses, including two cops, put a man wearing a green army jacket on the scene.

Five eyewitnesses described a man fleeing the scene the way Beverly describes he did. Mumia of course was not running anywhere; he was lying on the ground with a bullet in his chest.

According to Arnold Beverly, Mumia arrived on the scene after Beverly had already shot Faulkner. Beverly says that an arriving officer then shot Mumia. The prosecution claims that Faulkner shot Mumia in self-defense as Faulkner lay on the ground dying. Yet Beverly's story does fit with forensic evidence and the report of a cop at the scene that night. The cop stated that an arriving officer shot Mumia. The downward trajectory of the bullet into Mumia's chest also makes it physically impossible for Faulkner to have shot Mumia from the ground. A police medical examiner's report prepared 5 hours after the shooting states that Mumia “was shot subsequently by arriving police reinforcements.”

Arnold Beverly's sworn confession to a capital offense is in fact backed up by evidence on every level, while the prosecution's version of events is not. This, however, has not been cause enough for them to reconsider pushing for the execution of an innocent man. Instead, they are arguing that the new evidence was not brought forward in a timely manner.

Ramona Africa spoke on this point at the demonstration stating, “Judge Dembe has said she wants, in three weeks, some briefs to determine whether or not it's “too late” to prove his innocence, whether or not this information comes too late. We're saying it's never too late! What is she talking about, too late? We ain't interested in legalities. We're interested in what's right. Slavery was legal, but that wasn't right! Apartheid was legal but that wasn't right! The murder of Shaka Sankofa down in Texas, despite his innocence, was legal but that wasn't right! We don't care about legality. We care about justice and what is right.”

In July, Mumia's legal team filed a petition to suspend legal proceedings in federal court in order to pursue new legal challenges in the state court.

Mumia has not gotten any favorable rulings in federal court. There, Judge Yohn has already ruled that Beverly's confession is inadmissible, citing the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1996. The act, among other things, sets a time limit of one year for death row inmates to present new evidence.

Yohn's chilling decision also cited the infamous 1993 Herrera decision that proof of innocence is no bar for execution.

In addition, according to Clinton's 1996 Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, a decision for execution in Yohn's court will be Mumia's final legal appeal.

Faced with this situation, Mumia's legal team saw the need to attempt a hearing with the new evidence in state court. Yet the arguments and statements of both Judge Dembe and Judge Yohn, along with those of Judge Sabo before them, show that an American court of law is no place for evidence proving Mumia's innocence.

Judge Sabo presided over Mumia's original frame-up trial, but he didn't just do that. He came out of retirement to rule against Mumia at subsequent appeal hearings on whether Mumia got a fair trial. At these hearings Sabo ruled that Sabo had not violated Mumia's legal rights by denying him legal representation of his choice and denying him the right to attend his own trial.

Judge Sabo ruled against the admissibility of the testimony of a key eyewitness in the original trial, Veronica Jones, who stated that she was coerced through threats from the police into giving false testimony against Mumia in the original trial. Jones was a prostitute who says police threatened her with prison on warrants and of taking her children away if she didn't say what the police wanted. This testimony was important evidence of the fact that a frame-up had taken place. Yet Sabo did not allow a new trial based on this information or any of the other evidence brought forward.

Mumia has sat for the past 20 years on death row, removed from his family. Yet he now stands out as an uncompromising voice for the oppressed and exploited. Many have called him the voice of the voiceless. We need Mumia, we need him alive and we need him free. Yet all of the evidence shows that Mumia won't get justice in America's capitalist courts unless we turn up the heat.

#PhiladelphiaPA #News #AfricanAmerican #MumiaAbuJamal #Frameup #RamonaAfrica #PoliticalPrisoners

In earlier sentencing, Mumia had been given the death penalty, largely based on the prosecutor's argument that, as a member of the Black Panther Party, Mumia had been “waiting his whole life to kill a cop.” Judge Yohn's ruling, while possibly sparing Mumia the death penalty, did not overturn Mumia's conviction or grant him a new trial based on new proof of his innocence.

On Nov. 21, Philadelphia state judge Pamela Dembe also rejected Mumia Abu-Jamal's appeal to have new evidence heard in state court. Dembe's decision will be appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Police Attack Protest

A 1000-person Philadelphia protest to free Mumia was attacked by the Philadelphia police on Dec. 8, 2001. The Philadelphia police have been campaigning for the execution of Mumia since they first framed him. They stepped up this campaign Dec. 8, when, without warning, police beat protesters, sending three people to the hospital. One of those beaten, Hai Au Huynh, a 100-pound Vietnamese woman, suffered a broken tailbone.

According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, dozens of police converged on the protest and attacked the crowd as police commanders looked on. Eight people were arrested. The total amount in bail was set at the outrageous amount of $350,000, which was subsequently met by supporters. Serious charges against Mumia supporters include the felonies of assault on a police officer, conspiracy to riot, and rioting. So far, the charges against two of the protesters have been dropped. The police have not been charged for their crimes.

New Evidence

New evidence, that both state and federal courts refuse to hear, includes the confession of Arnold Beverly, who states in his sworn affidavit, “I shot Faulkner at close range.” Faulkner was the cop Mumia is framed for killing. Eyewitness statements corroborate Arnold Beverly's confession.

In federal court, Judge Yohn ruled that Beverly's confession is inadmissible, citing the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1996. The act, among other things, sets a time limit of one year for death row inmates to present new evidence. Yohn's chilling decision also cited the infamous 1993 Herrera decision that proof of innocence is no bar for execution.

A key ingredient missing in the prosecution's case against Mumia is a motive. Beverly's confession, however, does contain a clear motive. Beverly states, “I was hired, along with another guy, and paid to shoot and kill Faulkner. I had heard that Faulkner was a problem for the mob and corrupt policemen because he interfered with the graft and payoffs made to allow illegal activity in the center city area.” The entire chain of police command that “investigated” Mumia has since been removed from the Philadelphia police force for corruption.

Attorney Eliot Grossman stated at a press conference, “Mumia Abu-Jamal was in the wrong place at the wrong time when a hit was in progress on a police officer.” But, for the Philadelphia police, Mumia was at the right place at the right time. He had exposed the murderous police violence used against the MOVE organization. Corrupt police officers used the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

What we do makes a difference. The government's attempt to murder Mumia Abu-Jamal in 1995 was halted by mass protests, days before it was scheduled to take place. Continued support for Mumia Abu-Jamal in the streets will be necessary to keep Mumia alive and to free him.

#PhiladelphiaPA #Philadelphia #News #AfricanAmerican #MumiaAbuJamal #WiliamYohn #Faulkner #MOVE #PoliticalPrisoners

In Pennsylvania, an innocent man, former Black Panther and journalist, Mumia Abu Jamal sits on death row. He has been convicted of a crime he never committed. If the authorities have their way, he will die for being Black and a revolutionary.

The privileged and powerful love the death penalty. It sends a clear message: we can take away everything, including your life. In the United States today, millions are impoverished. Our country is a prison house of nations, where African Americans, Chicanos, Native and Asian Peoples are systematically held down. The unequal application of death penalty speaks volumes: It is a powerful tool for maintaining the inequality that is woven into the fabric of this society.

On June 22, the powers that be, took the life of Gary Graham/Shaka Sankofa. On death row for almost 20 years, Sankofa endured beatings, and the worst abuse that Texas authorities could dish out. When the time came to face his executioner, Sankofa did so with a degree of courage and clarity that every person who wants to change this society can learn from.

In his last statement, Sankofa said “This is what happens to black men when they stand up and protest for what is right and just. We refuse to compromise, we refuse to surrender the dignity for what we know is right. But we will move on, we have been strong in the past. We will continue to be strong as a people. You can kill a revolutionary, but you cannot stop the revolution.”

The execution of Shaka Sankofa was a crime. A crime that can, should, and will be avenged.

Now we must seize the time. In the near future, the courts will be making a decision on the case of Mumia Abu Jamal. It will decide whether new evidence, evidence of Mumia's innocence can be heard. Already, the powerful mass movement that has been built around this case has twice stayed the hand of the executioner. This is a decisive moment to turn up the heat.

There is a growing awareness that the death penalty has to go. The death penalty has been, and remains, an exercise in legal lynching. Candidates for President need to be hit on this issue again and again. On the campaign trial, some people are getting away with murder. The time has come for this to come to an end !

#UnitedStates #InJusticeSystem #Editorial #PoliticalPrisoners #Editorials #MumiaAbuJamal #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #ShakaSankofa