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Decision on Mumia's appeal soon — join in next-day demos! Supporters of imprisoned African American journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former member of the Black Panther Party, continue to wait hopefully for an imminent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals. Abu-Jamal has spent 25 years on death row after being framed for the killing of a Philadelphia policeman in 1981. His case has won international attention for its revelations of racism, fraud and bias in the legal system. It has brought to the foreground the right to a fair trial, the inhumanity of the death penalty, and the system's particular vindictiveness toward Black radicals. After numerous thwarted attempts to appeal his verdict and sentencing and to bring new evidence before the courts, a three-judge appeals court panel heard arguments on the case in May 2007. As described by Abu-Jamal's attorney Robert Bryan, there are several different rulings possible. The panel could mandate an entirely new jury trial to consider the question of Abu-Jamal's guilt or innocence. It could order a new trial limited to the issue of Mumia's sentence. It could also deny all relief or return the case to the lower U.S. District Court for further proceedings. Whichever side loses can be expected to seek a rehearing and to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for an appeal. But, as neither of these legal recourses is likely if the panel rules against Mumia, a great deal rides on its decision. Mumia's hope for keeping avenues of appeal open lies with strong public protest. The International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia and other support organizations are calling for immediate protests in the streets if the panel's ruling is unfavorable. "Day after" activities are planned in several cities. Among them: In Philadelphia, the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal is organizing a next-evening march from the scene of the 1981 confrontation at 13th and Locust to the Federal Building. (If the decision comes on a Friday, the march will be on Saturday at noon.) In Chicago, the Partisan Defense Committee is calling a 4:30 p.m. rally (or Saturday at noon) at the Kluczynski Federal Building at the northwest corner of Jackson and Dearborn. Two separate rallies are planned in New York City. The Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition and the Harlem Campaign to Name a Street in Honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal will congregate at the State Office Building in Harlem at the corner of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. and 125th St. from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (or Saturday from 1-4 p.m.). The Partisan Defense Committee has called for a rally at the Federal Building on Broadway between Worth and Duane Sts. in Lower Manhattan from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (1-4 p.m. if a Saturday). In Los Angeles, the Partisan Defense Committee is organizing a demonstration at the Federal Courthouse at 312 N. Spring St. at 5:00 p.m. (or on Saturday at the Westwood Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd. at 1:00 p.m.). In San Francisco, the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal has announced a demonstration at the Federal Courthouse at 7th and Mission St. at 5:00 p.m. (In the case of a Friday decision, the demonstration will be on Monday.) In Oakland, the Partisan Defense Committee will hold a demo at 14th and Broadway near the Federal Building from 4:30-6:30 p.m. (on Monday if the decision is Friday). In Seattle, the Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women are calling on people to attend a next-day demo at 4:00 p.m. at the downtown Federal Courthouse. In Portland, Oregon, RW and FSP are organizing a gathering from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Terry Schrunk Plaza across from the Federal Building. Come prepared to speak at an open microphone if you have something to say, and bring picket signs and banners! And a national demonstration in Philadelphia is being called for the third Saturday after the decision. While all wait on tenterhooks, Mumia himself continues his masterful and galvanizing commentaries on political happenings in the U.S. and the world. His deeply insightful commentaries on issues such as U.S. atrocities in Iraq, defense of the Cuban Five, racism in sports, and the commutation of Kenneth Foster's death sentence can be read at www.prisonradio.org. Mumia refuses to censor himself or tailor his message to accommodate notions of "respectable" dissent. Instead he courageously seeks to educate the public about the radical realities of class and race in the U.S.A. For instance, in his commentary "The Politics of Promises" (Aug. 15, 2007), he says, "For millions of people, the hunger for an end to the Bush regime is gnawing at their innards. "But are they hungry for a Democratic warmonger, in the place of a Republican one? "Is that change — or the same old madness, in another wrapper?" The world needs this man alive, free, and mobilizing for justice. Write to Mumia at Mumia Abu-Jamal, AM 8335, SCI Greene, 175 Progress Dr., Waynesburg, PA 15370. And watch for the latest updates regarding his case and demonstrations in his support at the websites of New York City and San Francisco coalitions www.freemumia.com and www.freemumia.org. |
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