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Taking A Look At The Mumia Abu-Jamal Case And Why He Should Be Freed

On the 30th anniversary of the revolutionary writer’s unmerciful attempted-murder at the guns, hands, feet and nightsticks of Philly’s finest, and of his unjust incarceration after being shot by them, Mumia Abu-Jamal and his advocates have planned a mass rally at Philadelphia’s Constitution Center, from 7:30pm-10:30pm.

A host of events are also scheduled for Saturday, which happens to be International Human Rights Day.

“We’re clearly stating… ‘Enough is enough!’  It is very clear that from 1981 all the way up until now, every illegal procedure that could be used was used in order for judges to come up with a decision [to] give Mumia life without the possibility of parole,” stated sister Pam Africa, regarding the world’s most recognizable individual on death-row.

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“Now, that might be good for someone who is guilty and cannot prove their case, but Mumia is a proven innocent person,” continued the MOVE Organization’s Minister of Confrontation.  “It is evident that Mumia is a victim of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct.  The thing is not to give Mumia life without the possibility of parole, but to release Mumia now!  That’s what December 9th is about!”

 

In a recent favorable courtroom ruling this past October, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the Philadelphia prosecutors’ appeal to reinstate the political prisoners’ death-penalty, declaring it to be unconstitutional.

Then earlier this week, D.A. Seth Williams’ office announced that they would no longer seek the death-penalty for Mumia, which now subjects him to a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

 

The D.A.’s office released the following statement explaining their decision:

 

“Nearly three decades have passed since the trial, and eyewitnesses have died or become otherwise unavailable.  In addition to subjecting the family members of officer Faulkner to the renewed anguish of reliving the horror of so many years ago, another penalty proceeding would open the case to repetition of the state appeals process, followed by an unknowable number of years of review in federal court again.”

 

Although grateful, Mumia’s supporters are not satisfied and still seek another legal feat as they call for a new trial to prove his innocence, saying that… ‘Life in prison, with no parole, is not an option!”

 

Many people contend that Mumia is in his current predicament based upon his political and social views, which he openly shared with the masses as a journalist via print media and over the airwaves, rather than for any crime he is accused of committing.  His efforts have led to him earning the moniker of… ‘the voice of the voiceless’.

 

“They don’t just want my death… they want my silence,” concurs Mumia.

 

Despite the lack of irrefutable evidence, Abu-Jamal was convicted for the December 9th 1981 killing of Philadelphia cop Daniel Faulkner after a trial, which his attorneys say was rigged with government informants, eyewitnesses’ coerced confessions, conflicting testimonies, shoddy forensics and unreliable/non-matching ballistics.

Also, revelations of another possible suspect have been suppressed by prosecutors and media.

 

Faulkner had pulled over Jamal’s younger brother, William Cook, who was allegedly driving in the wrong direction.  Local business man, William Singletary explains what he witnessed that night:

 

“A guy was in the car, a passenger [Kenneth Freeman], he jumped out and hollered some obscenities.  The police officer turned to say get back in the car, and the guy pulled a handgun… and I heard a popping sound, I ducked, I saw the cop turn around, then I saw the guy point the gun directly in the cops’ face, then I saw the fire from the barrel hit the cop directly in the face, then he took off running.”

 

Freeman was later found in Philly mysteriously murdered, bound with a syringe in his arm, on May 13th 1985, the same day the MOVE Organizations’ Osage Ave home was bombed by the City of Brotherly Love.

 

Many contend that Mumia was railroaded by Philadelphia pigs and prosecutors for taking such a hard line against corrupt cops and police terrorism.

“Mumia should be released from prison based on evidence… evidence of an unfair trial, evidence of judicial/prosecutorial misconduct,” determined an uncompromising Pam, also the Chairwoman of the International Concerned Family And Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal.

 

Demands for a new trial have consistently been rejected and Abu-Jamal has exhausted his appeals, leaving him in limbo as he awaits being placed in general population now that his death-sentence has been vacated, and he is to be removed from death-row.

 

“Numerous aspects of this case clearly failed to meet minimum international standards safeguarding the fairness of legal proceedings, and believes that the interest of justice would best be served by the granting of a new trial to Mumia Abu-Jamal.” states Amnesty International.

 

Faulkner’s widow, Maureen, released a statement criticizing  Abu-Jamal’s supporters.

 

“My family and I have endured a three-decade ordeal at the hands of Mumia Abu-Jamal, his attorneys and his supporters, who in many cases never even took the time to educate themselves about the case before lending their names, giving their support and advocating for his freedom.”

 

Michelle Alexander – author of ‘The New Jim Crow’, slated to speak Saturday, stated:

 

“The struggle for justice in Mumia’s case is part of a larger movement to end mass incarceration and the demonization of poor people of color, and all those who are willing to stand with them in their fight for racial and social justice.”

 

Pam concludes:  “We cannot accept this racist government’s decision to give Mumia life in prison without parole.  People must remember that we are dealing with outlaws, we are not dealing with law, and we are demanding law, justice for Mumia Abu Jamal!  What’s the call?  Release Mumia now!”

 

Expected to speak are:  Immortal Technique (Hip-Hop activist0, Johanna Fernandez (Producer- Justice On Trial: The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal), Pam Africa, Michelle Alexander (author- The New Jim Crow), Ramona Africa, Vijay Prashad, just to mention a few.

 

More info: Freemumia.com & 212.330.8029

Written By Ice Pick Slim 17