Update on the Mumia Abu-Jamal Case
Last Hearing to Avoid Execution is May 17th
Black News Journal, News Feature, Marilyn Kai Jewett, Posted: May 10, 2007
Mumia Abu-Jamal, a journalist and political activist,
was sentenced to death for his alleged December 1981 killing of a Philadelphia
police officer. Since the sentencing Mumia and his supporters have been trying
to free him charging a host of irregularities in his trial. The case has also
drawn the support of Amnesty International.
People concerned about the plight of convicted African American journalist
Mumia Abu Jamal recently packed the American Friends Service Center in
Philadelphia despite alleged threats from members of the local Fraternal Order
of Police (FOP). The business hosting the gathering –- Clef Club of Jazz --
reported receiving threats from individuals they identified as members of the
FOP, who warned them to cancel the event or suffer retaliation.
In addition, Sgt. De Lacy Davis, founder of Black Cops Against Police Brutality
in East Orange, N.J., also indicated his life had been threatened and was
warned not to participate in the event. Even though the venue was changed,
roughly 20 off-duty police officers showed up in motorcycle club colors in an
apparent bid to intimidate Mumia supporters.
Those supporters watched a documentary on the case narrated by activist-actor
Danny Glover. Glover also took part in a panel discussion, which included
Temple University journalism professor Linn Washington who covered the case for
25 years and Harold Wilson who spent 17 years on Pennsylvania’s Death Row
before being cleared of all charges. The 60-year-old Glover said he
participated despite threats because, “It’s about justice and a fair trial.
Injustice to anyone is injustice that affronts all of us. I’m not intimidated.”
The support rally was in preparation for May 17 oral arguments when the Third
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will consider four issues that have been
certified for appeal in the quest for a new trial for Abu Jamal. The hearing is
expected to go forward despite a motion by the Philadelphia district attorney
to have the court recuse itself from hearing the case. Supporters believe the
motion was an attempt to get the case heard by a more conservative circuit
court. The court has denied the motion.
Meanwhile, Pam Africa, spokesperson for International Concerned Family and
Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal, has asked concerned people to come to Philadelphia
on May 17: “We need public pressure to ensure the court’s fairness,” she said.
“Mumia can still be executed. Further, since the [U.S.] Supreme Court is
unlikely to hear Mumia’s case, this is realistically his last chance to get a
new trial. His case represents all that is wrong with this system. We must take
action before it’s too late.”
For more information on the facts of the case, go to the new website: http://
www.Abu-Jamal-News.com.
=============================
EDIT: COPYRIGHT. PLEASE POST
ONLY 4 OR 5 PARAGRAPHS FROM
THE COPYRIGHTED NEWS SOURCE
PER DU RULES.
*****FORWARD THIS ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE!!!
WE NEED TO BRING THESE INJUSTICES TO LIGHT*****
In NYC on May 12, millions4mumia.org.
A major mobilization for Philadelphia will take place on MAY 17
to demand a new trial for MUMIA Abu Jamal
9 am in front of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit,6 St. & Market St.
Writers for Mumia
download leaflet
millions4mumia.org
