From: Mumia 911 <mumia911@mumia911.org>
September 10, 1999
MUMIA’s STATEMENT for Mumia 911
To the Youth and for Art-Makers:
There’s an old saying: ‘Art is all that cannot be suppressed.’ That
saying flies to mind when one thinks of the extraordinary actions taking
place at this time across the nation and around the world. These acts of
art are against the greatest oppression known to man: state-sanctioned
murder. As an artist who carves words instead of marble I join you; I
thank you, and I applaud you. May your art enlighten, enrage and
inspire!
Ona Move!
Mumia
Copyright 1999 Mumia Abu-Jamal
Mumia Abu-Jamal #AM-8335
1030 E. Roy Furman Hwy.
Waynesburg, PA 15370-8068
==============================================>
From: "DaveyD" <kingdave@sirius.com>
Props to Digital Underground, The Coup, Michael Franti and Spearhead
and the 5 thousand Hip Hop fans who showed up for the Mumia 911 free
concert at Delores Park in San Francisco this Saturday. The event
which was part of the National Day Of Art was a huge success as the
message to Free Mumia and grant him a new trial was surely felt and
shared by all who showed up. Rap stars like Saafir, Mystic
Journeymen, Funky Man, Local 1200, Naru, Midnight Voices, Radio who
rocked an impromptu beatbox performance and numerous others all came
out to support the event. Many opted not to come on stage but instead
circulated around the crowd and hung with the people. The case around
Mumia and all the connecting issues is one that everyone is getting
behind.
Digital Underground put on a great performance. They put out a new
song called 'Pimpin' which had the capacity crowd pumping their fist
in unison. Humpty Hump prefaced the song by explaining that only a
punk who has no respect for himself goes around pimping women. He
explained that in his younger days he acted ill, but that he had
matured and now sees things from a different perspective. Humpty also
took time to break it down about Mumia and 2Pac. he talked briefly
about how if 2Pac was alive he would be on hand to support the
efforts to free Mumia. He talked about the steps 2Pac was taking to
become more political prior to his death. Humpty explained how
America is a prison for a lot of people of color and that everyone
has to step forth and try and make a difference.. His remarks were
heartfelt and appreciated.
The Coup who opened up set the tone for the day.. with their hard
hitting politically laced yet funky lyrics..Boots as usual dropped
mad science about the building of prisons and how we all need to step
up... Due to the hot sun, DJ Pam Tha Funkstress couldn't wreck shop
like she normally does on the turntables. Her records kept melting.
The day however, belonged to headliner Michael Franti and Spearhead
who put an end to anyone who likes to use the term alternative Hip
Hop to describe him. Yes, he didn't just rapped, but this brother
left everyone knowing that Hip Hop has a certain energy and spirit
that moves you.. He succeeded in executing Hip Hop Rule # 6, he moved
the crowd into a complete frenzy. It was dope. More importantly the
message about Mumia got across. The performances were interspersed
with speeches from former Black Panthers and youth activist. The
keynote speaker was Angela Davis. The crowd was completely diverse
with folks of all ages and races.. Hip Hop ruled the day.. Funny
thing is I saw no mention of this off the hook concert on the evening
news.. I did however see full coverage of the Opera in the Park
concert which drew about 5 thousand people as well.. But what more
should you expect in America. I have tons of footage from this
concert and will be posting it soon..
=============================================>
From: "KamariYa(!!)" <ngozi@secapl.com>
FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL & ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!!!!
COMMUNITY FORUM
===============
WHERE: NORTHEASTERN CENTER FOR INNER CITY STUDIES
700 E. OAKWOOD BLVD.
(Near 39th & Cottage Grove)
Chicago, Il
WHEN: SEPTEMBER 14, 1999
TIME: 6:00 P.M. PROMPTLY!!!
MASS RALLY
==========
WHEN: SEPTEMBER 25, 1999
TIME: 1:00 P.M.
For additional information contact Attorney Standish Willis @ 312.554.0005
Sponsored By the African American committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal and
Aaron Patterson
==================================================>
From: Gary Kleppe <kleppe@execpc.com>
MUMIA AWARENESS WEEK: SEPT. 18 - 25
We are entering a critical period in the struggle to save the life of
Death Row political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Last October 30, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected an appeal for a
new trial. In response, Mumia's lawyers, led by noted civil rights attorney
Leonard Weinglass, filed a writ before the U.S. Supreme Court, which is
scheduled to reconvene in October. Meanwhile, the lawyers are also preparing
to file an appeal before the federal district court in Philadelphia.
It used to be that some 30% of appeals in capital cases were successful
once they reached the federal level -- a testimony to the high degree of
injustice in the lower courts. However, thanks to President Clinton's
signing of the 1997 Effective Death Penalty Act, remedy through the federal
courts has been severely restricted. Whether or not a new trial is granted
will be a political decision, not a legal one -- just as Mumia's arrest,
trial, conviction and sentencing to death were all political.
In addition, the Republican Party has chosen Philadelphia as the site
for its national convention this July. This may encourage Pennsylvania Gov.
Thomas Ridge to sign a death warrant before the appeal process has been
completed. In this context, the decision of the federal district court is
extremely important.
What this means is that we now have to mount the strongest, broadest,
most vigorous effort to bring Mumia's case before the public in order to exert
the greatest possible pressure on the federal court.
This is the reasoning behind Mumia Awareness Week, a national and
international week of activities designed to make the name "Mumia Abu-Jamal"
a household word.
Schedule of events in Milwaukee:
[NOTE: All events are free and open to the public.]
Saturday - Sept. 18 - 1 pm
BLACK & GREEN FORUM
Milwaukee Enterprise Center, 2821 N. 4th St., Room 300
Co-sponsored by Wisconsin for Mumia and Irish Northern Aid (Milw. Unit).
A unique event that will address the on-going struggles for freedom in
both Northern Ireland and the African-American community in the U.S., with an
emphasis on supporting Irish and African-American political prisoners. The
goal is to build solidarity between the Irish-American and African-American
communities.
Speakers:
CLAYBORN BENSON - Photo-journalist and Director of the Wisconsin Black
Historical Society
MARGOT FELDER - leading activist with Wisconsin for Mumia
MICHAEL GOODMAN - Lower Orneau Road Concerned Residents Group (Belfast,
Northern Ireland)
IFAMA JACKSON - leading activist in Wisconsin for Mumia and a longtime
supporter of political prisoners in the U.S.
MATT MORRISON - former member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) now facing
deportation by the U.S. government because of his participation in the
struggle for Irish freedom.
ANDREW SOMERS - National President, Irish-American Unity Conference; retired
judge who has investigated numerous suspicious killings in Northern Ireland
Also: music, videos and a selection of traditional African-American and
Irish-American refreshments.
Tuesday - Sept 21 - 7:00 pm
(INTERNATIONAL YOUTH & STUDENT DAY FOR MUMIA)
A Forum sponsored by the Progressive Student Network (PSN) at UWM and
Wisconsin for Mumia
UWM Mitchell Hall, Room 195
The forum, besides focusing on Mumia's case, will have speakers
addressing the prison-industrial complex; political prisoners; the death
penalty; tuition increases; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT)
concerns; Leonard Peltier; and upcoming tribunals indicting U.S. officials for
human rights violations in the 79-day U.S./NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.
Wednesday - Sept. 22 - 12:30 pm
"THE ABSENCE OF JUSTICE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM"
A forum presented by Africans on the Move and the UWM Black Student Union
UWM Union (room location to be determined).
The forum will highlight some of the contradictions found in the justice
system including sentencing, women's issues and Mumia Abu-Jamal. For more
information and location call (414) 374-5408.
Saturday - Sept. 25 - noon
STATEWIDE MARCH & RALLY TO DEMAND A NEW TRIAL FOR MUMIA ABU-JAMAL!
Mumia Awareness Week actions will culminate in a statewide march and rally
in Madison. There will be a gathering at the State Capitol and then a march
to the new Dane County Jail. People will be coming from Milwaukee, Racine,
Kenosha, Green Bay, Sheboygan and many other cities. EVERYONE IS NEEDED! NO
ONE ELSE CAN TAKE YOUR PLACE! A car and van caravan will be leaving from
Milwaukee. Drivers and vehicles are needed. Contact Wisconsin for Mumia at
(414) 374-1034 or <ajrc@execpc.com>.
For Information on other events in Wisconsin, contact:
Green Bay for Mumia: (920) 437-4075
La Crosse for Mumia: (715) 341-5750
Sheboygan for Mumia: (920) 457-5246
Stevens Point for Mumia: (715) 341-5750; fedwittel@uwsp.edu
Wisconsin for Mumia (Madison): (608) 835-7501
Wisconsin for Mumia (Milwaukee): (414) 374-1034 or <ajrc@execpc.com>
Elsewhere in the Midwest:
Des Moines, IA: (515) 243-0765
Minneapolis, MN: (651) 649-4579
Chicago, IL: (773) 381-6507; (312) 683-5194
Cleveland, OH: (216) 631-5338
Columbus, OH: (614) 424-9074
Kent, OH: (330) 672-3767
Detroit, MI: (313) 628-4932
For national news and updates:
International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
Ph: (215) 476-8812; Fax: (215) 476-7551
Email: mumia@webcom.com
http://www.mumia.org
International Action Center
Ph: (212) 633-6646
Email: iacenter@iacenter.org
http://www.iacenter.org
==================================================>
From: iacenter@actionsf.org
The next Rainbow Flags for Mumia Event in San Francisco:
Mumia Abu-Jamal Rally for Justice
Fighting racist and fascist attacks from Philadelphia to Chicago to California
Friday, Sept. 24, 7:00 pm, Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission St., S.F.
Featuring: Leslie Feinberg, author and lesbian transgender activist
Leslie Feinberg is the author of Stone Butch Blues and other works depicting
the history and struggle of transgendered people. Feinberg is also an
initiator
of Rainbow Flags for Mumia.
Leslie will speak on how Mumia’s case has come to represent the
struggle
against racism, police brutality, the death penalty, and the fight for
justice
and a decent life for all. Hear about the links between the fight for justice
for Mumia and the fight for lesbian, gay, bi and trans liberation.
Guests Include:
Lavender Youth Recreation & Info Center Representative
Babatunde Lea & Friends Internationally renowned musicians
Gloria La Riva National People’s Campaign
Dorsey Nunn Prisoners’ Rights Activist
Jimmy Salcedo Producción A La Brava, spoken word
(Mission Cultural Center is between 24th & 25th Streets. MUNI #14, 49,
26, 48, 67, BART 24th St. $5-$20 donation requested, nobody turned away
for lack of funds. Call for childcare: (415) 821-6545)
Sponsored by National People’s Campaign and Rainbow Flags for Mumia
Endorsed by the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
Info: 2489 Mission St. #28, San Francisco 94110 • (415) 821-6545
• www.peoplescampaign.org
===============================>
From: "Mumia Week" <info@j4mumia.org>
September Organizer #7
No. 7, September 8, 1999
www.j4mumia.org
Mail to: 511 Ave. of the Americas, #186, New York, New York 10011
Phone: 212-924-8585, Fax: 212-766-1867, E-mail: info@j4mumia.org
DURING MUMIA AWARENESS WEEK, EVERY ACTION COUNTS
So stop and think about what you can do during Mumia Awareness Week: show a
video, hand out leaflets, ask you church or organization to let you make an
announcement, wear the green ribbon -- and let us know so we can spread the
word!
WEAR THE GREEN RIBBON FOR MUMIA
Green is the designated color for the campaign for justice for Mumia, and
during Mumia Awareness Week people everywhere will be wearing green ribbons
to show their support. There are large green ribbons available from the
national office that are printed with the words “New Trial 4 Mumia.” But you
can also just buy a roll of plain green ribbon and a box of small safety
pins. This will make it possible for thousands of people to pin on a green
ribbon during Mumia Awareness Week. And don’t forget to wear your green
ribbons to Mumia 911.
CAMPAIGN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY ANNOUNCES PROGRAMS
The Campaign to End the Death Penalty is organizing a series of programs
“Live from Death Row” as part of the Mumia Awareness Week. These will be in
Berkeley and Washington on Sept21; San Francisco on Sept 22; Chicago,
Houston, Madison, New York, and Seattle on Sept 23; and Providence on Sept
25. There will be a later program in Boston. For more information contact
the campaign at 312-409-7145.
KEY RESOURCES YOU NEED
With any one of the following items, you can stage an action for Mumia
Awareness Week:
1) The video “Mumia Abu-Jamal: A Case for Reasonable Doubt.” If your local
video store doesn’t have this HBO special, then you can get it overnight
from amazon.com.
2) “All Things Censored,” the CD of Mumia reading his columns with intros by
many famous people. You can get this broadcast quality recording from local
stores or local Mumia coalitions.
3) You can read from Mumia’s two books: “Live from Death Row” (an Avon
paperback) or “Death Blossoms.”
4) The Resource Book on the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, available from your
local coalition or from Refuse & Resist! contains ready-to-xerox leaflets
and readings.
ALICE WALKER SPEAKS OUT:
"We are all about to be launched into a new century whose benchmark appears
already to be disruption, pain, and acute anxiety about the trustworthiness
of leaders and of life itself.... Who do we want to go with us? The
so-called wise ones who believe you can stop a war by dropping a bomb? Or do
we want, instead, to be holding the hand of our brother who clearly loves
us--Mumia Abu-Jamal?"
FINNISH EMBASSY CONTACTS US
The embassy of the Finnish Republic contacted us for information on the case
of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Finland is currently the head of the European Union, and
they are anxious to follow up on the resolution by the European Parliament
that opposes the death penalty in the U.S.
GET ON THE F.O.P. “HONOR ROLL”
Ever since the Fraternal Order of Police announced they are organizing a
list of Mumia supporters to be boycotted, people have been writing them
asking to have their names added to the “Honor Roll.” The FOP seems very
miffed about this. To ask to have your name added to the Honor Roll, e-mail
the FOP at glfop@grandlodgefop.org.
NATIONAL BLACK COMMUNITY ACTION INFORMATION
The New African Liberation Front and the Jericho Movement have put out the
call for reaching out to Black Churches, housing projects, students, and
joining in the “100 Cities for Mumia.” Plans are under way in Dallas,
Lafayette (LA), Boston, Chicago, Lincoln (NE), Cleveland, Charlotte (NC),
Philadelphia, DC, Atlanta, Birmingham, Los Angeles, and Oakland. For more
details contact 718-949-5153.
HELP MAKE IT POSSIBLE!
Contribution checks should be made to “Black United Fund/Mumia,” marked in
the memo field: “September week” and returned to Black United Fund, 2227 N.
Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19132-4502. Also include a note of support for
the BUF which is under attack for providing this service.
=======================================>
F.O.P. ESCALATES "FRY MUMIA" CAMPAIGN:
"Danny - A Symbol for Many
An unfortunate truth is that law enforcement officers lose their lives in
the line of duty almost daily. All across our country their
killers sit in prison--waiting out their sentences, planning their death
penalty appeals, or pleading to be paroled. The friends,
family and co-workers of Danny Faulkner are among many who must fight to
see that justice is done and that their fallen loved
one is not forgotten. How has the murder of Danny Faulkner taken on such
national prominence? Why is it important for
officers across our country to be heard on this matter? Danny Faulkner has
become a symbol for all our fallen brothers and
sisters and the struggle of their loved ones to see that justice prevails.
By all official accounts, the murder of Officer Danny Faulkner was a clear
cut case. The murderer was caught at the scene and
readily identified by witnesses to the whole incident. Mumia Abu-Jamal
should have shared the same fate as that of other cop
killers--living out his life in prison in anonymity, filing numerous
appeals and waiting for his sentence to be carried out. Danny's
killer, however, is not your typical killer.
Mumia Abul-Jamal was raised in the projects of Philadelphia. At 15, he
helped found a local chapter of the Black Panthers.
He became an ideologue, joining radical fringe groups like MOVE. He saw
himself as a soldier in the fight against minority
oppression. He became a local radio personality doing stories on the
disadvantaged. He learned how to mold public opinion
and how to take full advantage of the politics of race. Mumia, working with
his lead attorney, Leonard Weinglass (Weinglass
is also known for his work with attorney William Kunstler and their
controversial defense of the Chicago Seven), has been
able to bring together a diverse coalition of anti-death penalty groups,
left-wing extremists, academics, fools and the
misinformed. They have made Mumia their cause célèbre.
Such high profile personalities as Spike Lee, Susan Sarandon, Paul Newman,
Maya Angelou and Alec Baldwin, to name a
few, have lent their names to advertisements claiming Mumia's trial had
been unfair and calling for a new trial. Danny's killer
has also become a symbol for international organizations in places such as
France and Denmark that oppose the death penalty.
They have turned this murderer into a "political prisoner." Alternative
rock bands like Rage Against the Machine and the
Beastie Boys have done benefit concerts to raise money for Mumia's defense.
Students at the University of California wear
"Free Mumia" t-shirts. This culmination of politicos and personalities,
regardless of their motivations, have turned Danny's
murderer into a mythic figure. Truth has been damned and fantasy has become
fact.
It is the weight of this coalition, built by the supporters of this killer,
that demands that organizations such the Grand Lodge of
the Fraternal Order of Police also weigh into this fight in an effective
and substantial way. It is our responsibility to Danny, and
all the fallen officers he represents, to assure that the public knows the
truth about this incident and that substance will prevail
over celebrity. Maureen Faulkner, Danny's widow, cannot do it alone. The
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania FOP Lodges
cannot do it alone. The financial and public relations resources that have
come together to render aid to this common killer
with the uncommon knack for propaganda, are too much for any one group to
face alone. It will take the effort of all the
members of the FOP from across our country. We must all become aware of the
facts of this case. We must speak out so that
the truth is heard. Danny Faulkner was a good and decent man and an
honorable police officer. He was brutally murdered and
his killer is Mumia Abul-Jamal. This is a time when justice demands that no
honest man sit silent."
===============================================>
IT'S TIME TO PICK UP THE PACE!
International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
P.O. Box 19709 - Philadelphia, PA 19143
Ph: 215-476-8812 / Fax: 215-476-7551
Web: www.mumia.org / E-mail: mumia@webcom.com
MUMIA MUST LIVE!