Date: 1999/11/10
Author: Sis. Marpessa
Posting History
UPDATES ... INFO ... REPORTBACKS
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From: Fred/Debbie Anderson
Greetings,
The Political Action Coalition of Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, is having a Day of Art for Mumia and other political prisoners on Wednesday, 10 November, from Noon-5 in the Mandela Room of the University Union. Performance art will be featured fro 1-3. Everyone in the area is invited for an afternoon of art, politics, and comradeship. Free Mumia!
Debbie Anderson
The choice, as every choice, is yours: to fight for freedom or be fettered, to struggle for liberty or be satisfied with slavery, to side with life or death.
Mumia Abu-Jamal
'...a man's spirit can be marked most clearly in its passage from the reform to the revolutionary impulse at the moment he decides that his enemy will not write his history. . . .'
Murray Kempton
'The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor,
is the mind of the oppressed.'
Steven Biko
From: 'Rosemari Mealy'
[Forwarded Tribute to Susan Burnett]
November 6, 1999 Havana, Cuba
I would like to express my deepest condolences to Ali Bey Hassan and his family. The passing of Susan Burnnett deeply felt by all those who knew her.
I met Susan Burnett more than 20 years ago in a prison. Her warmth, her humor, her kindness were like rays of light beaming into that stark ugly visiting. room. She was down to earth, intelligent, and brimming with energy. The more i came to know her, the more i admired her. She was a hard worker, a committed revolutionary and she was thoughtfully honest. She loved people and she loved freedom and she touched the lives of many political activists and political prisoners in very personal ways.
What i loved most about her was her fighting spirit, her persistant ptimism and her unshakable belief that freedom could be accomplished through struggle and hard work. Susan truly was a self-less person. She worked with enthusiasm and never complained. I was shocked when I learned of her passing. I had no idea how sick she was. She had cheerfully written that she was doing well and planning to come to Havana in September to drink Cuban coffee and to eat black beans and rice. I am sorry that she never was able to travel here, but her spirit will always be with me. I am proud to have known her, proud to have loved her, and proud to say that knowing her helped make me a better person.
Sincerely,
Assata Shakur
Havana Cuba
From: 'leslie jones'
November is Native American Heritage Month AND Leonard Peltier Freedom Month in Washington, DC. The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee has put together a MONTH-LONG OCCUPATION designed to DEMAND executive clemency for Leonard.
The month started off with a Spiritual Freedom Run from Philadelphia. The Seeds of Wisdom of the MOVE Organization and supporters of Leonard and Mumia ran 17 miles in combination with Leonard's niece and nephews. Other runners made it all the way to DC for the opening. I wasn't able to make it down for the opening day, but I did get down there for Wednesday night and Thursday morning of the first week. THEY COULD REALLY USE THE SUPPORT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN DC. Remember, Leonard led young people out of Oglala on June 26, 1975.
This is probably the LAST chance Leonard will have to demand that President Clinton do what is right. Mumia's execution was not stayed because this government supports him. It was stayed because the POWER OF THE PEOPLE put pressure on this government and FORCED it to BACK DOWN! We must do the same for Leonard. On Thursday morning [11/4] actor Danny Glover participated in the morning prayer circle in LaFayette Park [in front of the White House], and in the pipe ceremony that followed in the Ellipse [behind the White House]. The media crews came out because Danny Glover was there. We must make them come out EVERYDAY. We need to have such a presence in DC that the media, all the people that work on capitol hill, and people worldwide can't ignore this government's refusal to release Leonard.
Leonard Peltier has been incarcerated for the last 23 years--which is longer than some of us have been alive. He was convicted of killing two FBI agents even though his two co-defendants, charged with the EXACT same crime, were earlier ACQUITTED based on self-defense. Leonard is now seriously ill and the FBI continues to pressure the president out of taking a stand on Leonard's request for executive clemency. In the November 3rd Washington Post, the FBI took out an ad calling for Leonard's continued imprisonment. We have to take a stand to combat this form of government terror! The same mentality that drives the FOP in Mumia's case drives the FBI to take action against Leonard Peltier. It drove the FBI to create the 800-plus page file on Mumia from the age of 15. We must stand in solidarity with our indigenous sisters and brothers. Those threats don't scare us out of supporting Mumia. In fact, the FOP only scares themselves! That's why they publicly BACKED DOWN from calling a demonstration at the Sting concert scheduled for November 14th in a Philadelphia suburb. They know we will NOT tolerate it!
For the entire month of November we are demonstrating outside of the White House, beginning with a sunrise prayer circle at 6:30 AM in LaFayette Park. There needs to be hundreds of us out there. There are activities scheduled throughout the day. EVERY day. I encourage anyone who can to go to DC and show your solidarity for indigenous sovereignty--which is what the case of AIM leader Leonard Peltier represents.
Today [11/9] is Youth For Justice Day. Youth activists and native hip hop artists will be speaking and performing. Ok. I know we've missed that, but there are other opportunities to galvanize your family, your friends, and your campus to go to DC. This Saturday, November 13, 1999 is UNITY DAY. It will be an excellent opportunity for folks to go down and show support for ALL political prisoners. If Saturday is too short notice, the month culminates with a vigil and closing prayer ceremony on November 25th. For those not going home for thanksgiving break, get together NOW and get busfare to go to DC. Ask your school to supply you with a
van/transportation like so many of you did for MILLIONS. What better way to support indigenous sovereignty than to take a stand for Leonard on thanksgiving day! Let the WORLD know what thanksgiving is really about in this country.
For those that can't make it to DC at all, galvanize support where you live. Call a press conference in your area and show your support for Leonard. Help send someone else to DC, or raise awareness in your area about Leonard's case. Finally, whatever your morning ritual is--if it's jogging/running or private bathroom time [Tiffany :>] include a prayer for Leonard's release!
Leonard needs our support! WE MUST ACT NOW! This year is the most critical in getting him freed. For more information, contact the Leonard Peltier Freedom Coalition in D.C. at 202-857-1469. Or you can call the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee in Kansas 785-842-5774. Visit the website: members.xoom.com/freepeltier
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Philly happenings for Mumia
I'll have to get the details for the December 2nd activist conference and RAGE concert, and the December 11th demonstration. But for now...
The FOP has BACKED DOWN from their threat to demonstrate at the Sting concert on Sunday, November 14th at Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA. I haven't found out whether we are still planning to go out there or not, but i'll send an update ASAP.
November 20, 1999
Hip Hop Show in support of Mumia
Calvary Church
48th & Baltimore Ave [take the #34 trolley from City Hall to 48th] 5 PM - 10 PM
donation $5
food will be available for sale
feature performers include...
Seeds of Wisdom
Ricanstruction
name
CR Robinson
The Architects
and many, many more...
for more info.....215-387-4107
From: 'detcom'
On November 3, 1999, over 60 workers and working-class youth
attended a forum at Henry Ford Community College sponsored by
Workers United to Free Mumia, titled 'Stop the racist murder of Mumia Abu-Jamal'.
Participants in the forum carried on a lively discussion on the fight to free Mumia Abu-Jamal and the need to draw workers and the
labor movement into this important political struggle.
WUFM also showed the HBO documentary on Mumia's struggle,
'A Case for Reasonable Doubt'. The video showing was followed by a round of lively debate on the points of the case and what strategy could win Mumia's freedom.
WUFM members were able to advertise the event in the school
newspaper, the Mirror News, and passed out over 1,500 flyers publicizing the event and the facts of Mumia's case. WUFM's affiliate on HFCC campus, Workers United, organized and hosted the event.
Almost all those who attended the forum walked away expressing support for Mumia and his freedom, and many immediately joined WUFM.
WUFM plans to follow up this success by organizing more educational events and mobilizing Mumia supporters for upcoming demonstrations and events.
Free Mumia Abu-Jamal!
Abolish the racist death penalty!
---
Workers United to Free Mumia
PO Box 19221, Detroit MI 48219
Voicemail: [313] 301-4428
http://www.angelfire.com/mi/wufm/
From: 'Kendra Sarvadi'
Long-overdue update on action for Mumia Abu-Jamal in Asheville, NC:
*Friday, Oct. 8: Demonstration in front of the Federal Building. About 30 people protested the US Supreme Court denial of Mumia's appeal. Protesters arrived at about 4:00 PM and stayed until about 6:00 pm, held signs & passed out flyers. A reporter from the local daily Gannett-owned paper, the Asheville Citizen-Times, stopped by & spoke w/me about why we were there, and a photographer came later & took pictures, however in the next day's edition of the A C-T the demo was resoundingly ignored.
*Sunday, Oct. 17: 2nd demo in front of the Federal Bldg, in response to the signing of the death warrant. About 40 people showed up, despite the fact that many Asheville Mumia supporters were in Philly that weekend. Demo lasted bout two hours, beginning around noon.
*Friday, Oct. 22: 3rd demo in front of the Federal Bldg, held both for Mumia and for the National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation. About 60 people gathered at the Fed. Bldg at 6:30 PM and passed out flyers about Mumia's case & his current situation, as well as flyers about the importance of Oct. 22 [including excerpts from the Stolen Lives Project database]. Shortly after 7 PM we mobilized to march about 6 blocks toward Pack Square, at the center of downtown. We marched up Patton Avenue, chanting 'brick by brick, wall by wall, we're gonna free Mumia Abu-Jamal' and 'they say death row, we say hell no', among others. at this point police began to notice that something was happening. we arrived at Pack Square & gathered around the Vance Monument [a big obelisk that sits in front of a large fountain]. Our number grew to about 80 people. this portion was intended to be a Candlelight Vigil for victims of police brutality. However, due to the wind [we couldn't even get our candles lit] and the general mood of the people participating, instead we stood & chanted some more & passed out flyers for about another hour before breaking for a summary of what was happening with Mumia's case, and then dispersing. we received an unexpected offer to table that evening from a band that was playing at a bar across the street [thank you, Granola Funk Express!] so we were able to set up & distribute some more info, get some signatures on some postcards, and even got the opportunity to address the audience & speak about Mumia and MOVE.
It's interesting [but not surprising] that every one of these demos has been completely ignored by local media, with the exception of our local grassroots independent weekly, the Asheville Global Report, which has covered all demos here and many that have taken place elsewhere.
...we also had a successful event for Mumia 911, report back on that to be sent to the Mumia 911 site as soon as i can...more updates as things happen. -Kendra
Asheville Mumia Action Group
Pan-African News Wire, Weekly Dispatch, Thursday, 4 Nov. 1999
Abu-Jamal Exposes State of Injustice
Editorial, Reprinted from the Detroit Sunday Journal, Oct. 31, 1999 Web site: http://www.rust.net/~workers/strike.html
At last, there may be justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Abu-Jamal has been at the center of an overcharged emotional, legal and racial firestorm for so long that the most important issue of his case has gotten lost amid the furor. That issue is justice.
No American citizen should ever be punished without a fair trial. 'Innocent until proven guilty' is one of the foundations upon which our justice system was built.
Abu-Jamal, who always has proclaimed his innocence, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1981 shooting death of police officer Daniel Faulkner. Since the conviction, Abu-Jamal's lawyers have said witnesses came forward to say they saw another man shoot Faulkner and run away.
For that reason and several others, a federal judge in Philadelphia last week issued a stay of execution. There was no decision on whether Abu-Jamal would get a new trial.
The stay comes only two weeks after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge signed Abu-Jamal's death warrant, despite knowing that a habeas corpus petition from the defendant's lawyers was being filed for federal court review. That petition cites fabrications and suppression of evidence, racial bias in selecting jurors, and denial of the right to self-representation. It also contains more than 29 issues of constitutional violations that occurred in Abu-Jamal's trial and appeal. The petition is slightly more than 150 pages long, and contains more than 600 paragraphs of allegations pertinent to the case.
The death warrant signed by Gov. Ridge was the 171st he has signed since 1994. That is five times the number signed by his predecessors over a 25-year period. Ninety-nine perecent of the warrants signed by Ridge were done while the defendant still had time to appeal. This governor has a bloodlust that rivals Dracula's.
Ridge also signed Abu-Jamal's warrant despite recent calls from the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations for a moratorium on executions until the death penalty system is proved just. A major factor in this is raw, systemic racism. Just as an example, only 9 percent of Pennsylvania's population is African-American, yet African-Americans account for 62 percent of inmates on death row. This is the largest racial disparity of any state in the nation.
As if that isn't enough, a 10-year study by Professor David Baldus of the University of Iowa College of Law found that a young African-American man growing up in Philadelphia is 11.5 times more likely to end up on death row there than in Georgia and Alabama.
Something is terribly wrong with Pennsylvania's idea of justice, and organized labor is trying to do something about it. The executive board of UAW Local 417, which represents an estimated 2,000 auto parts workers, voted Oct. 12 to support the struggle against Abu-Jamal's execution and the call for a new trial. The Southeast Michigan Local of the National Writers Union, representing about 100 writers, voted that same day to support Abu-Jamal. On Oct. 11, Southeast Michigan Jobs and Justice, which is backed by UAW Local 600, Teamsters Local 2040, other local unions and the Detroit Metro Chapter of the Labor Party, voted in favor of solidarity with Abu-Jamal.
There's something wrong with justice in Pennsylvania, and a new trial for Abu-Jamal would be a good first step in fixing the system.*
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Editor's Note: The Sunday Journal newspaper was founded by the striking Detroit Newspaper workers in 1995. These trade unionists have been locked out of their jobs for over four years. E-mail: detjourn@aol.com .
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Pan-African News Wire articles may be broadly forwarded for non-profit research and educational purposes. We do request that any repostings include a citation of the original source. Redistribution for profit is strictly prohibited without the expressed consent of the Pan-African News Wire.
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WE MUST NOT FAIL!
International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
P.O. Box 19709 - Philadelphia, PA 19143
Ph: 215-476-8812 / Fax: 215-476-7551
Website: www.mumia.org / E-mail: icffmaj@aol.com or mumia@webcom.com
MUMIA MUST LIVE! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!