 |
|| Home Page | Welcome | Contents | Staff | Support Us || |
|
|
|
|
Everywhere you look people are chanting "We're gonna free Mumia Abu Jamal. Brick by brick, wall by wall." People are holding signs that read "Stop the racist death penalty", "We support Mumia", and "No justice, no peace." The people are from all different cultural backgrounds, African-American, Caucasian, and Hispanic.
Mumia was jailed after the death of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. Driving down the street one day, Mumia witnessed the police beating a guy. He got out of his cab to help the victim. To his surprise the victim was his brother. From there on it is unclear what happened but a police officer was shot. Mumia has spent the last sixteen birthdays in Pennsylvania's prison. 
According to many sources, the police brought people into court (some of whom weren't present at the time) to fabricate the incident. Many of them are now coming forth and admitting that they lied. The judge denied Mumia the right to represent himself in court. 
Leonard Weinglass is an activist judge. He explained that Mumia is unable to be touched by visitors. His feet and wrists are in chains and he is protected by solid glass instead of prison bars. 
In Attorney Weinglass own words, on Friday April 23, the day before the rally and march 800 people gathered in front of City Hall. The organizers of the gathering collected $100 from each individual in support of Mumia's execution. There are 126 people on the death penalty in Philadelphia. Fourteen of these people are not minorities. 
"The real war against ethnic cleansing is right here" says Zack De la Rocha, another speaker at the rally. He thinks it's good that Clinton is concerned about the war in Yugoslavia, but his major priority should be with America and the social war going on here.
Among the several speakers Mumia's son was one. Jamal was very proud people are supporting his father and have faith in him. He began to get emotional during his speech. He thanked everyone who were at the rally. Jamal ended his speech with saying "this is the most beautiful thing I ever seen. Free Mumia."
Here is a link to another page with more on Mumia: |
|
|| Home Page | Welcome | Contents | Staff || Back to the top
|
On
Saturday, April 24, two staff members, an advisor and I, attended a
rally and march in Philadelphia in support of the liberation of political
prisoners, in particular, Mumia Abu Jamal and against police brutality
The
rally was held at the City Hall in North Philadelphia. There were several
speakers at the rally such as Attorney Leonard Weinglass, Mumia's son
Jamal, and a witness at Mumia's trial Pamela Jenkins. As well as representatives
from France. Each speaker paid tribute to Mumia and supported what he
believed in. They expressed their love for Mumia and explained to the
audience that only the people can free Mumia and other political prisoners.
Mumia
is an African American activist, a writer and a father. He began his
career at a young and prosperous age. At fifteen Mumia began to scribe
for the Black Panther Party. He was the Minister of Information for
the Philadelphia newspaper. Due to the FBI pugnacious behavior towards
the Panthers the organization fell apart and Mumia continued his journalist
career elsewhere. At a local radio station he began to broadcast and
speak out against police brutality.
Besides
America speaking out against the death penalty, foreign countries are
participating in discontinuing it. There were French representatives
present at the rally. An adolescent attended the rally to speak for
the youth. She brought along 3,5000 petitions signed in France supporting
the abolition of the death penalty in America. Another speaker was a
representative from the largest trademark in France. His name is John
Pierre. He also expressed the importance of President Clinton. Enthusiastically
Pierre said"He is willing to speak for human rights in Yugoslavia, but
not here." The audience were told by a speaker that press conferences
and rallies were being held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Italy, Australia,
Canada, Paris, and Monte Pierre.
At
the rally the crowds response was incredible.Even though everyone stood
for what seemed like hours, this was a moment in history for me. This
is the awakening of my political activism. Due to this event I am more
aware of politically how issues effect people of color and therefore
how it affects me. It has helped me evolve into an open minded young
adult.
