From: Jahzid Allah <allah@metalab.unc.edu>
This is to inform everyone that the demonstration for Mumia has been
scheduled for this Tuesday, October 19, 1999 at 12:15p.m. in Memorial
Mall. Speakers will be Divine Allah from the BSU who will talk about the
life of Mumia in short, Mumia's trial, and how we can help him in getting
a new case and this execution stopped. Other organizational speakers will
include a member from Amnesty International and the Leftist Student
Network and there may be one or two more speakers. Petitions to be signed
will be circulated after the demonstration as well as letters that
participants can mail in for themselves. We encourage everyone to come
out and rally for this brother's life. He has been an asset to the black
community and the American community at large and we need to take a stand
for his human right to life and his American right to a fair trial with a
jury of his peers. Look forward to seeing everyone there who can make it.
It should be about an hour long.
Traverro and the Political Education Committee
=============================================>
From: "Maine Mumia List Serve" <maine_sup_net@hotmail.com>
On this past Friday October 15th, around 50 people from around the state
of Maine turned out for a protest rallly at the Federal Building in Augusta,
ME in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal. The protest was highly visible to the
many passing motorist, many of whom honked and waved (and screeched tires)
in support of the demonstration.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
47 DAYS TILL MUMIA'S EXECUTION DATE.
On December 2nd Mumia Abu-Jamal is scheduled to be executed. What are we
going to do? Sit back and watch, and let them murder Mumia? or Are we going
to
start mobilizing NOW to stop the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal. The time has
come to make this choice and this choice is ours, NOT the governments.
47 days! 47 days till the state of Pennsylvania will inject Mumia with a
deadly poison,
forever silencing his voice. A voice that speaks of the repression and
injustice that
has become the reality for all too many in this world. If we let them
murder Mumia
what will we say to our grand-kids when they ask us "how could we have let
this
happen". History will not judge us kindly if we do not work to our fullest
to stop
the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
This movement to save the life of Mumia needs to grow and it needs to grow
fast.
More people need to learn the FACTS of this case which reveal the
corruption and
injustice that has led to Mumia being on death row for over 17 years. We
need to
get organizations and individuals to make a commitment to start mobilizing
to stop
this execution and to get Mumia a new and fair trial. If everyone gives
just a little
of their time we WILL be able to build this movement to the level that is
needed.
We need a movement that is working on many different levels, with each
individual
doing his or her part in their own way. Any less and we will fail. We need
to: start
reading more about this case so we can effectively talk to others about it,
start phoning
and faxing government officials, start hosting film showings of one of the
many videos
available on this case, start leafleting public events, start hanging
posters that get people
thinking, start thinking about ways to build this movement and start
working on these ideas.
47 days! What choice will we make. It will be a struggle but look at the
alternative.
IMPORTANT MEETING TO START MOBILIZING FOR MUMIA
Wednesday, October 20 at 7pm at the Peace and Justice Center, 1 Pleasant St,
Portland (2nd Floor) 772-0680. contact for more info: work4justice@yahoo.com
==================================================>
A J O B I S A R I G H T !
E-Newsletter of A Job is a Right Campaign
PO Box 06053, Milwaukee, WI 53206
Phone/Fax: (414) 374-1034; email: ajrc@execpc.com
http://www.execpc.com/~ajrc
This is the critical period in the struggle to save Mumia's life.
The fact that in Milwaukee we are finally breaking through with coverage
in the "mainstream" media is the result of years of work by a core of
activists. Your help is needed NOW to take advantage of this opportunity to
make Mumia's name a household word. That is what is going to make the state
hesitate in its plans to murder Mumia. Don't wait until it's too late, to
say, "I should have gotten involved." Make the difference NOW -- help stop
this legal lynching!
Please join us at the next organizing meeting of Wisconsin for Mumia:
Thursday, Oct. 21, 7:30 pm, Milwaukee Enterprise Center, Room 140, 2821 N.
4th St., Milwaukee. (One block west of King Drive, ˝ block south of Locust.)
If you can't make the meeting but want to be involved, please email us
back.
=====================================>
From: "Kali Akuno" <jerichosfbay@hotmail.com>
Greetings Everyone!
A secure location for the October 24th Mumia strategizing meeting has been
found (FYI we are not meeting at the Alice Arts Center so as not to
conflict with the event being organized by the Institute for Multiracial
Justice and the Alice Arts Center with Amiri Baraka and Piri Thomas which
begins at 7 PM). The meetings is going to be held at HERE Local 2850
located at 548 20th St. in Downtown Oakland between Telegraph and San Pablo
Avenues (take the 19th St. exit if coming via BART). The meeting is
scheduled for 6 PM sharp.
The notes from October 9th's meeting will be compiled by 5 PM this
afternoon. If you would like a copy of the notes sent to you prior to this
Thursday meetings please email your request I will send them out Wednesday
morning. For any other questions and/or concerns please address them to
jerichosfbay@hotmail.com or call (510) 595-1652 or (510) 667-9293.
In Unity and Struggle,
Kali
==========================================>
From: Gregbyetig@aol.com
Portland Police Riot After Peaceful Mumia Demonstration
By Portland Free Mumia News Service
On 15 October, at the conclusion of a demonstration/march in support of
Mumia Abu-Jamal, city police, some mounted on horses, intimidated and
assaulted departing demonstrators. Six were arrested. The protest, which
began at the Federal Building (3rd/Madison), was to conclude across the
street from the Federal Building, at Terry Schrunk Park. However, police in
riot gear and shotguns surrounded the park, and declared that the
demonstration was "an unlawful assembly." Demonstrators were ordered to
leave the area. As people dispersed, the mounted police drove through groups
of people, and arrested some who responded to the assaults. A toddler was
nearly run over. One man, Craig Rosebraugh, sustained a broken arm when
police threw him to the ground. And even though he yelled that his arm was
injured, police wrench both arms behind his back and cuffed him. Also, his
leg was crushed by a horse while he was down. Another person was rounded up
by police for dropping a flower on the ground. More Pro-Mumia protests are
planned.
============================================>
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 09:45:41 -0600
From: ACERCA <acerca@sover.net>
FYI: Looked outside of our office this morning at the Burlington, VT
Federal Building/Post Office and noticed the American flag was upside down
and under the flag was a "FREE MUMIA" banner. Eventually a federal
employee took down the "FREE MUMIA" banner and then hoisted the flag back
up (upside down). It's now 10:30 am and the flag is now upright.
==============================================>
From: <tank@xs4all.nl>
News Service 193/99
AI INDEX: AMR 51/167/99
14 October 1999
USA
Pennsylvania governor signs death warrant on Mumia Abu-Jamal: an
overtly political act
Yesterday's signing of a death warrant for the execution of Mumia
Abu-Jamal on 2 December by Governor Ridge of Pennsylvania is an
attempt to gain what he perceives to be a political advantage, Amnesty
International said today.
Governor Ridge took this action in the full knowledge that Mumia
Abu-Jamal has yet to file the federal appeals available to him -- an
action that will postpone his execution for several years.
"This death warrant serves no purpose except to put Mumia Abu-Jamal on
'death watch' -- causing him unnecessary suffering. This is playing
politics with a man's life," said Pierre Sané, Amnesty International's
Secretary General.
"The unnecessary infliction of suffering upon a prisoner by a
government official constitutes torture."
In November 1997, Pierre Sané visited Mumia Abu-Jamal and fellow death
row prisoner Scott Blystone at SCI Greene Pennsylvania. Scott
Blystone described to Mr Sané the intense strain of undergoing
preparation for execution, a process both he and Abu-Jamal suffered in
1995: "They handcuff you, belt you and shackle your feet. It's silent,
you can hear your heart beating. They take you to death watch -- cells
surrounded by plexiglass walls so sound can't get through. There's a
camera at the front of your cell that watches you 24-hours a day.
You're standing there alive and they're asking you where to send your
body. After surviving a death warrant I felt like I'd lost my soul --
it kills part of you."
Under the time limits imposed by the Anti-terrorism and Effective
Death Penalty Act, lawyers for Mumia Abu-Jamal had until the end of
October to file a habeas corpus appeal in the federal court. Therefore
Governor Ridge cannot argue that he needed to sign the death warrant
in order to force Abu-Jamal to file his appeal.
"The vast majority -- or almost all -- of the death warrants signed by
Governor Ridge have had two effects: forced the prisoner concerned to
undergo the harsh regime of 'death watch'; and forced the prisoner to
file his appeals earlier, when the appeal may be insufficiently
prepared," Pierre Sané added.
"The unnecessary signing of death warrants is an attempt to rush death
row prisoners through appeals that are guaranteed to them by the US
Constitution."
Amnesty International is calling on the Pennsylvania authorities to
rescind this death warrant immediately, and to cease issuing further
death warrants while inmates still have appeals pending.
Background
Governor Ridge has signed 176 death warrants since becoming governor
in 1995. Five times the number signed by two previous governors over a
25-year period. All but three of the warrants signed by Governor Ridge
were cancelled by the courts; all three of the prisoners killed had
given up their appeals and consented to their execution.
Amnesty International has long-term concerns around the fairness of
Mumia Abu-Jamal's trial. The organization first raised its concerns
with the Pennsylvanian authorities in 1991. To date, none of Amnesty
International's concerns have been adequately addressed. The
organization is currently conducting an exhaustive study of the trial
transcript and other related documents and will announce its findings
in early 2000.
Executions in the USA are currently running at record rates since the
resumption of executions in 1977. Seventy-seven prisoners have been
put to death so far in 1999, the highest number for any year since
1954.
Numerous laws have been passed in recent years at both state and
federal level to speed the appeal process and facilitate more
executions. This is despite numerous death row inmates being
previously found to have had their rights under the US Constitution
violated at their trial. In more than 80 cases, death row prisoners
transpired to be innocent of the crime for which they were
condemned. Amnesty International fears that this increasing rush to
execute will lead to numerous prisoners being put to death after
trials that were in violation of international standards of justice.
Source: Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton
Street, WC1X 8DJ, London, United Kingdom
=====================================>
From: "Rev. Khandi Konte-Paasewe" <khandi@netset.com>
Greetings everyone, please note below that Jim Harris, the Progressive
Secretary has sent the following letter on my behalf... if you wish for a
letter to be sent to politicians, simply email Jim and he will gladly
forward...
thanx...
Rev. Khandi Konte-Paasewe
>From: Jim Harris <ProgressiveSecretary@Earthlink.Net>
>
>Here is a report of 48 letters that were sent in your name. -
>Thank you.
>
>Note: Mumia Abu-Jamal is an award winning African-American
>journalist who has been sentenced to death. Amnesty
>International considers him a political prisoner. This letter
>was written by participant Yona Flemming and edited by Pat
>Murphy. The facts in this letter, and Mumia's status as a
>political prisoner, have been verified by participants Nathaniel
>Hannon and Richmond Gardner. Additional information is available
>at Mobilization@hotmail.com and www.freemumia.org. This letter
>is going to the Governor and State Senators of Pennsylvania.
>
>Date: 10/19/1999
>
>Dear Senator Armstrong:
>
>Senator Armstrong, it was with dismay and disbelief that I
>learned Governor Ridge has signed the death warrant for Mumia
>Abu-Jamal.
>
>New evidence points not only to Abu-Jamal's innocence but also
>to police and prosecutorial misconduct during his original
>trial. There is substantial evidence that the police intimidated
>and coerced witnesses into giving false testimony and fabricated
>the existence of a confession. Also the prosecution withheld
>evidence from the defense and systematically excluded qualified
>African-American jurors.
>
>This death warrant against Mr. Abu-Jamal is inappropriate and
>unjust. Mr. Abu-Jamal deserves a new, fair trial immediately.
>
>All across the United States and throughout the world, attention
>is focused on Pennsylvania, to see whether you are committed to
>justice in the spirit so inspirationally articulated by your
>founder, William Penn.
>
>Senator Armstrong, I urge you to do everything in your power to
>ensure that Mr. Abu-Jamal receives a new, fair trial.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Rev. Konte-Paasewe
>
>48 letters to officials were individually written and sent.
>They address the official by name at least once and may
>contain information specific to that official and this letter.
>
>************************************************
>
>Sincerely
>
>Jim Harris
>ProgressiveSecretary@Earthlink.Net
>http://www.progressivesecretary.org
>http://home.earthlink.net/~progressivesecretary
>
>Progressives send far fewer letters than conservatives. Please
>invite others to join and level this field.
=====================================>
From: Debbierwor@aol.com
Mumia: Coast to Coast--Outrage Over Death Warrant
Revolutionary Worker #1027, October 24, 1999
On Wednesday, October 14, the shocking news quickly spread around the
world that Pennsylvania Governor Ridge had signed a death warrant for Mumia
Abu-Jamal. Phone trees activated emergency response networks and mobilized
people for "The Day After" (TDA) actions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Many people were determined to respond immediately and powerfully to the
governor's outrageous decision to press ahead with this execution.
Here are the events the RW has heard about as we go to press.
Philadelphia
On Saturday, October 16, more than 1,500 people rallied and marched in
Philadelphia--Mumia's home town--in a powerful expression of their
determination to stop his execution. People came in cars and buses from all
over the eastern United States--to hold a powerful and diverse action of many
nationalities and many different political trends. The new generation of
college and high school students made up more than half the march--putting
their mark firmly on this day and on this struggle.
The rally was held in front of the State Building, within sight of the
offices of the Fraternal Order of Police--that notorious headquarters of the
campaign to defame and execute Mumia. Speakers included Pam Africa, of the
International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal; Carl Dix of
the RCP; Monica Moorhead of International Action Center; C. Clark Kissinger
of Refuse & Resist, and many others. A statement was read from the executive
director of the American Friends Service Committee. Both at the podium and in
the crowd, people expressed the strong connection between the struggle for
Mumia's life, the intensifying campaign to stop police brutality and murder,
and the struggle to free Leonard Peltier and all political prisoners.
The spirited march moved through the Black proletarian neighborhoods of
north Philly--receiving a tremendous welcome from masses of people who waved
their fists, shouted and honked in support.
San Francisco
"My father, Charles Vaughn, Sr. was assassinated last year, shot 11
times by the police... We will not let Mumia die. We do not want to add
Mumia's name to the list of Stolen Lives."
Alade Djehuti Mes
October 16--2,000 people, including a large number of students and
youth, rallied and marched from the downtown shopping district to the low
income Tenderloin. They came from cities throughout the S.F. Bay Area. The
National Lawyers Guild, which is holding its convention in San Francisco,
adjourned so that the 400 lawyers attending could participate in the protest.
Many people felt that a militant response was needed to force the government
to back off on their plans to kill Mumia. After the main demonstration ended,
a contingent of mostly youthful demonstrators continued the march and blocked
Market Street, the main thoroughfare through downtown. Police in riot gear
surrounded the 300 protesters and threatened to arrest everyone. Eventually
the police backed down and people dispersed. A torchlight march for Mumia is
planned in San Francisco on Tuesday, October 19.
Other Marches and Rallies in the Days After
"It's come down to us. We've got to stop this execution--period. I got
flyers on me all the time. I'm going into all my classes and talking about
it. I talk to everyone on the buses I take. Hell, I'll even go door-to-door.
Cal State Student, Los Angeles
"Mumia has inspired me with the power of his vision. Even though he's in
prison, he's still speaking out against police brutality and injustice and
the system. He didn't bow down after they captured him and they framed him up
and all of that. And he's never given up. I feel like I could be like that
some day, someone strong and powerful, someone that people will come out for
and represent for and fight for."
Young woman from Watts
On Thursday, October 14--At the height of rush hour, 600 people
defiantly marched around San Francisco's downtown and then through the
proletarian Western-Addition neighborhood into the Mission district--where
the Latino working people crowded the sidewalks to cheer. Activists of the
new generation charged to the front of the march, shut down intersections,
and danced in the streets chanting "Free Mumia! Free Free Mumia!"
That same day, a spirited march went through four miles in the heart of
New York City--from Wall Street to Times Square--where 500 people held a rush
hour rally for Mumia.
On Oct. 14, over 350 people converged on the Federal Building in downtown
Los Angeles. To the rhythm of drums, the march snaked through the city's huge
immigrant shopping district. When cops threatened the march, the crowd
chanted "Rampart! Rampart! No one in Rampart ain't got no heart!"--referring
to death-squad-like activities of LAPD's now-exposed "gang" division.
In Philadelphia, the words "Free Mumia" appeared on a 55 foot
paint-splattered mural of the city's notorious former Gestapo-Mayor Frank
Rizzo.
More than 250 protesters marched in Minneapolis. In Cleveland, 100 people
took to the streets and then sat down in the streets to demand that "Mumia
must be free!" Forty-five people marched through downtown Prescott, Arizona.
Friday, Oct. 15, 200 people held a spirited march through downtown Portland.
The next day, on Saturday, October 16, 200 marched in Seattle. And 300
people demonstrated in Pittsburgh. And outside SCI Greene, the prison where
Mumia is being held, the Bruderhof held a demonstration. Meanwhile, in
Pennsylvania's capital, Harrisburg, activists mobilized by Amnesty
International marched on the house of Governor Tom Ridge to oppose the death
warrants he signed for Mumia and other death row inmates.
Also on October 16, Ramona Africa of the MOVE organization spoke to 300
people at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, drawing
applause as she said, "The government wants to kill Mumia because he dares to
tell the truth." 250 people rallied again in Los Angeles, this time at the
West Side federal building. Later than night, 120 people marched through
Westwood, next to the UCLA campus.
This article is posted in English and Spanish on Revolutionary Worker Online
http://www.mcs.net/~rwor Write: Box 3486, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 773-227-4066 Fax: 773-227-4497 (The RW Online does not currently
communicate via email.)
================================>
From: Davey D <kingdave@sirius.com>
*As you know Governor Tom Ridge signed a December 2cd death warrant
for 'political' prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. For those who aren't
familiar he's a former Black Panther and journalist who was convicted
of killing a Phildelphia police officer almost 20 years ago, in 1981.
He's been on death row ever since. The circumstances surrounding his
case and numerous aspects of his trial have led people to believe
that he is innocent and should be granted a new trial. Over the years
Mumia's plight has garnered considerable community support. He has
come to symbolize the nation's rapidly expanding Prison Industrial
Complex. Mumia himself has managed to issue a couple of books and
countless insightful commentaries on the issues of the day from his
prison cell in Pennsylvania. He had continued to live up to his
moniker of being the 'Voice of the voiceless'.
Over the past couple of years many within the Hip Hop nation have
gotten involved and have done things to bring attention to his
situation. There's been a compilation album entitled Mumia 911 which
featured all sorts of rappers ranging from Channel Live to Poor
Righteous Teachers to Chuck D of Public Enemy. There have numerous
demonstrations and free concerts including one that was most recently
held in Delores Park in San Francisco. Here artists like Michael
Franti of Spearhead, Digital Underground and Boots & The Coup donated
their time and brought out over 500 thousand people. This September
11th event was a who's who in bay Area Hip Hop as everyone from
Saafir to Mystik Journeymen came through to show support for Mumia's
cause. Almost a 1000 people, many of them from the Hip Hop
community took to the streets to protest Governor Ridge signing
Mumia's death warrant.
========================================>
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
Web: www.mumia.org / E-mail: mumia@webcom.com
MUMIA MUST LIVE! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!