BREAKING NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 1999
Contacts:
Leonard Weinglass, Esq. -
Ph: 212-807-8646/ Fax: 212-242-2120
Daniel Williams, Esq. - 212/883-1200
Steven Hawkins, Esq. - 202/387-3890
FEDERAL JUDGE GRANTS STAY OF EXECUTION
FOR MUMIA ABU-JAMAL
Habeas Corpus Raises New Questions About
Prosecutorial Misconduct and Racial Bias
Proof of 29 Constitutional Violations
Should Warrant New Trial, Defending Attorneys Say
Federal Judge William H. Yohn, Jr. granted a stay of execution
for Mumia Abu-Jamal in the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania,
which will take effect either today or tomorrow. The stay was
granted 13 days after Governor Ridge of Pennsylvania signed
Jamal's death warrant and will last until the end of the
proceedings in Federal District Court.
Judge Yohn will begin to review the habeas corpus petition that
was filed on October 15 by the defendant's lawyers, containing
29 separate issues of Constitutional violations that occurred in
Jamal's trial and appeal. The habeas document is more than 150
pages, and contains more than 600 paragraphs of factual
allegations, including fabrication and suppression of evidence;
racial bias in selecting jurors; and denial of the right to self-
representation, among other arguments.
"It is our hope that for the first time in 17 years we will have the
opportunity to present the facts concerning this case in a neutral
and fair courtroom," said Leonard Weinglass, Jamal's lead
attorney. "Any one of the 29 Constitutional violations should
warrant a new trial."
According to Jamal's lawyers, several arguments are raised in
the petition demonstrating that Jamal never received a meaningful
trial and that compelling evidence of innocence was ignored by
the state courts of Pennsylvania.
The stay also entitles Jamal to be released from the "Phase Two"
area of the State Correctional Institute, Greene County, where he
was sent when his death warrant was signed on October 13. In
Phase Two, Jamal has been under 24-hour surveillance, subjected
to strip searches, a cell with lights on 24 hours a day, and limited
to only one book. Jamal was not allowed any visitors outside
his immediate family and attorneys. Jamal will now return to
death row and await further proceedings before Judge Yohn.
"We are encouraged by the assignment of Judge Yohn to this case,
who has acquired a reputation as a judge of integrity," said Daniel
Williams, co-counsel. "It's about time we de-pollute the waters
since (Pennsylvania state) Judge Sabo had poisoned the well
from the beginning."
Judge Albert Sabo presided over Jamal's initial trial in 1982 -- when
he had sentenced more people to death than any other sitting judge
in the U.S. -- as well as the post-conviction trial in 1995. Six
former Philadelphia prosecutors have sworn in court documents
that no accused defendant can receive a fair trial in Sabo's court.
The Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations' recently
called for a moratorium on all executions until the state's death
penalty system was proven just.
One of the system's infirmities, acknowledged by the bar
associations, has to do with racial prejudice. While nine percent
of Pennsylvania's total population is African-American, for
example, the percentage on death row is nearly seven times
that (62%). This is the largest racial disparity of any state in
the United States.
In addition, a 1998 study by Professor Baldus at the University
of Iowa found that a young African-American growing up in
Philadelphia is 11.5 times more likely to end up on death row
than in Georgia or Alabama.
In addition to the defending attorneys, those working to ensure
a fair trial for Jamal include: Amnesty International, Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, the European Parliament, Reverend Jesse
Jackson and many others.
# # #
ATTENTION JOURNALISTS: For more information
please call Leonard Weinglass at (212) 807-8646, or
any of the other attorneys listed above.
=========================================>
From: October 22 Coalition National Office <Oct22@unstoppable.com>
People,
We just heard from Pam Africa that the Federal District Court
has issued a stay in Mumia's case. This means that the December 2nd
execution date is no longer in effect. His defense will file motions by
some time in December, and the prosecution will have 2 months to
respond, etc. But this doesn't mean we can relax. The threat of death
still hangs over his head. The focus of the battle at this point shifts
to winning evidentiary and discovery hearings in his case. The court
still has the option of hearing his appeal, but not allowing the new
evidence that the defense has uncovered to be considered. We can't let
them get away with this.
Carl Dix
-------------------------------------------
The National Office of the October 22nd Coalition to
Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the
Criminalization of a Generation
(888)NO BRUTALITY or 212-477-8062 Fax: 212-477-8015
Oct22@unstoppable.com <http://www.unstoppable.com/22>
===================================>
FAX Received from Sis. Lydia Barashango
(Sister of Mumia Abu-Jamal)
THE FAMILY OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL
asks that you join us in the
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
FOR
MUMIA ABU JAMAL
SUNDAY OCTOBER 31, 1999
5PM - 7PM
EAKINS OVAL
24TH AND BEN FRANKLIN PARKWAY
PHILADELPHIA
Join us and all the spirit filled people who believe in the power
of *prayer*, here and around the world. Scripture tells us
in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." We
are calling for people of all faiths that know Mumia deserves
a fair trial, to come together on this day at this time in
Philadelphia to work the power of prayer.
We are also putting out the call for spirit filled drummers, to
stir up good vibrations and positive energy starting at 4:30PM.
The Scriptures say in Psalm 150:4 "Praise him with the timbrel
(hand drum) and dance: praise him with the stringed
instruments and organs."
WEAR WHITE IF YOU CAN
(end)
----------------------------------
===================================>
From: chris98@pacbell.net
The Stay of Execution has been signed! December 2 execution date CANCLED!
MOBILIZE FOR -
December 11, 1999
Surround Oakland Federal Building
For further information contact - (510)595-1652 or (510)728-5950
Or Check Out -
http://www.aspenlinx.com/mumia
================================>
From: "Burton, Dick" <dburto@sccd.ctc.edu>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 07:35:55 -0700
PGA Action at WTO Seattle - http://members.aol.com/mwmorrill/pga.htm
This message is sent to educate the community about the risk of a police
action against Mumia supporters in the Seattle area. It is written by an
educator with a view to educating the community about this information.
On Saturday, Oct. 16, a spirited march of 150 supporters of Pennsylvania
death row journalist Mumia Abu Jamal demonstrated at Nordstrom's downtown
Seattle store. The activists were calling for a new FAIR trial for Jamal,
whose death warrant was signed on Oct. 13 by Pennsylvania Governor Tom
Ridge.
Because Nordstrom's has benefitted from significant public funds -- in the
form of $24 million -- the marchers treated it as public space and passed
through it in a "non-violent but verbally aggressive manner," according to a
report by the Associated Press.
Following the march, an email message was sent to Nordstrom's citing the $24
million figure and urging them, as a quasi-public entity, to demand a new
FAIR trial for Mumia Abu Jamal. KIRO news subsequently reported that this
email message was being investigated as a $24 million "extortion" attempt by
the Seattle Mumia Defense Committee, a local coalition of peace and human
rights activists.
There is word, now, from well-placed sources, that indicates that this very
serious and obviously groundless charge might well be used as a pre-text for
police to move against Mumia supporters. The threat of such an act of
intimidation warrants the careful attention and scrutiny of all concerned
activists -- not only because it comes at this highly critical juncture in
Mumia's case, but also because Seattle is the base for the up-coming
international protest actions against the World Trade Organization.
-- Dick Burton, Ph.D.
a Seattle Mumia Defense Committee member
=====================================
From: <jericho98@usa.net>
Political Prisoners across the country, and around the world, have been
working to save the life of Mumia Abu Jamal for years. Many of you may
remember the political prisoner initiated "Artists and Writers Against the
Death Penalty" that included paintings, sculptures, drawings, quitwork,
poetry, songs, plays, etc. that was the work of political prisoeners that
travelled the country raising awareness about the plight of Mumia Abu Jamal.
The following is another such call, understanding the gravity of Mumia's
situation they've come together again to appeal for more to be done, despite
some of their own desparate situations.
An Appeal From US POW/PPs: Mobilize to Save Mumia Abu Jamal
We are Prisoners of war and Political Prisoners (POW/PPs) within the
United States. We were variously imprisoned for a range of activities:
struggle against white supremacy and colonialism, opposition to the economics
of global plunder and class exploitation, efforts against sexism and
discrimination, a general unwillingness to abide the multiple ways human
beings are being demeaned and delimited in this society. We stand for
self-determination for all oppressed peoples, for an end to racism, for
women's liberation (equality), for economics centered on human need rather
than corporate greed.
The reason for this unprecedented collective statement is the urgent
situation of fellow political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal on death row in
Pennsylvania. His legal challenge has now moved to the federal courts, the
final arena available to him, and these proceedings could be completed within
months. While there is overwhelming evidence of his innocence, most of it has
been excluded from judicial review. Many of you who have worked hard to save
Mumia's life are to be commended. Without your hard work, the state probably
would have already executed him. But, we need to alert you to the urgency of
the situation.
A measure of the importance of this case can be taken from the recent
"big lie" slanders of Mumia by ABC's "20/20" on TV and by Vanity Fair
magazine. The Fraternal Order of Police, the reactionary criminal justice
system, and the corporate media are determined to execute this articulate and
courageous brother. It will take a very determined and strong movement to
stop the plans for cold-blooded murder.
The urgency is not just because a precious life is at stake, but also
because of the implications for political and social movements. Mumia has
been a singularly eloquent and effective "voice of the voiceless." He has
spoken and written powerfully for the more than 3,000 persons on death rows
within the U.S., and about fundamental flaws of the criminal justice system,
as well as the foundation of racism and injustice.
We want to encourage the range of activist and social justice groups to
make Mumia's case their lead project, their key example, in the coming months.
Such a focus would not at all mean abandoning broader politics and programs.
Mumia's case can powerfully illustrate the general issues of the death
penalty, of POW/PPs, of the criminal justice system, and of racism and
injustice. He can personify these crucial concerns and help energise each
area of work.
At the same time, we call upon all people who care about life and social
justice to mobilize for Mumia.
FREE MUMIA!
END THE DEATH PENALTY!
Signed:
Herman Bell
David Gilbert
Abdul Majid
Veronza Bowers
Juan Segarra Palmer
Jihad Abdul Mumit
Marilyn Buck
Dr. Mutulu Shakur
Jaan Laaman
Tom Manning
Richard Williams
Ray Luc Levasseur
Linda Evans
Edward Goodman Africa
Sundiata Acoli
Chuckie Africa
Phil Africa
Teddy Jah Heath
Larry W. Giddings
Robert Seth Hayes
Russell Maroon Shoats
Yu Kikumura
Leonard Peltier
Debbie Africa
Janine Africa
Janet Africa
Bill Dunne
Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom)
Albert Nuh Washington
To find out more about the Jericho Movement, visit the Jericho Website at
http://www.thejerichomovement.com
=================================>
From: "LPDC" <lpdc@idir.net>
October 22, 1999
Greetings friends and supporters,
I was shocked and disgusted to hear that Governor Ridge once again signed,
last october 13, a new death warrant for Mumia Abu Jamal. I know how Mumia
must be feeling right now and I would like to personally say to Mumia:
Please hang in there, brother! The people are doing everything and all that
they can to save you.
To the people who are fighting for Mumia, as some of you may know, this does
not mean the end, because I am sure his attorney, Leonard Weinglass has
filed for Habeas Corpus in the Federal Courts. It is you, the people who
must put the pressure on to win this case. Speak out! Whithout your
support, the Federal Courts will sweep everything under the rug as usual.
With Mumias life at stake, you must react very strongly and swiftly yet
with intelligence and control. You must show the world that you are
prepared and ready to stop Mumias execution.
Because of Mumias outrageous case and his gifted ability to put into words
many of our realities, serious concerns with the justice system, the death
penalty, and political prisoners are now on the forefront. We need Mumia to
be free so that he can continue to make a difference to change a society,
which devalues life, dignity, justice and freedom.
United, we will save Mumia...
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier
It's 1999, why is Leonard Peltier still in prison???
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
PO Box 583
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-842-5774
===============================>
From: "C. Clark Kissinger" <cck1@earthlink.net>
Something is very rotten in the state of Pennsylvania.
Governor Ridge has signed 176 death warrants in the last five years. Thats
five times more than his predecessors signed in twenty-five years.
He has done this in defiance of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar
Associations, both of which have urged a moratorium until the death penalty
can be shown to be racially unbiased and otherwise justified.
Right now, the percentage of African American men on death row is nearly
700% higher than in the population at large, a larger racial disparity than
in any other state. This means that an African American man growing up in
Philadelphia is eleven and a half times more likely to end up on death row
than one in Georgia or Alabama.
Mumia Abu-Jamal is the most famous such man. A radio journalist and
political activist, he was accused and convicted of shooting a Philadelphia
police officer. However, there are allegations of 29 Constitutional
violations in his trial, as well as prosecutorial misconduct, racial bias in
jury selection, and fabrication of evidence. There may also be new evidence
of his innocence.
There must be a new trial. If not, this case will join those that undermine
public faith in the justice system, and live on in history as a divisive
force.
Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, for example, 82 prisoners
have been exonerated. If there is no new trial, it may appear that the
Governor supports this execution in order to render a case moot and conceal
errors in the system. It is in his own interest -- both in the short term
politically and the long term historically -- to re-think his signing of the
death warrant.
Mumia Abu-Jamal is a human being who deserves the same defense and respect
that each of us would want. That would be reason enough. But he also
stands for many other people, past, present, and future.
His case could encourage a crucial examination of the death penalty. It
could lead us to investigate the prison industrial complex, and the reasons
why more and more prisons are being built even as the crime rate declines.
It could help reveal who is in prison -- and why.
Most important right now is the life of Mumia Abu-Jamal. But his case is
also crucial to our safety and democracy. We all have a stake in the nature
of justice in Pennsylvania.
Signed -- Gloria Steinem 10/24/99
=================================>
From: "Urban Guerrilla Poets" <ugpoets@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 13:11:59 GMT
Once were warriors
once were warriors
40 thousand fists thrust punch the sky
power to the people heavy in our breath
drying the tears from our cheeks when a comrade fell
then gettin right back in the front lines
that lust for a new world
could be seen in the hopes in our eyes
once were warriors
no longer
no longer burning down cities
now burning up the dance floor
burn baby burn----------------- disco inferno
instead of gettin down like a street fightin man
we on the highway to hell
the hunger lingers
longing to be clean
longing to be fed
longing to walk
al-the-while
tying our own shoes together
longing to be free
free to be a businessman, a pimp, a emcee
free to be a hustla, a playa, a dope rhyme sayer
free in words not! free in deeds
cuz we playas in need
not playas in deeds
let me repeat
we playas in need
not playas in deeds
callin our-selves
no limit soldiers
sayin we bout it
still not warriors
down for the rock the block and the glock
livin for the set the sign and the nine
but still can't see the sign of the times
once were warriors
now warriors again
dig that unmarked grave
and find ourselves in it
so now we take of those
tommy clothes
and heiring bones
and start ta lift our asses up out the snake holes
once were warriors
now warriors again
battle scared
bruised and broken
down but not out
our mind starts to come free
of the filth and debris
our mind starts to come clear
of the rock cocaine the blunt smoke and the beer
we take off the mask and look in the mirror
and see a reflection
of a crushed human animal
ready for battle
our struggle is ourselves
our struggle is ourselves
our struggle is ourselves
ONCE WERE WARRIORS
NOW WARRIORS AGAIN
we collectives our struggle, our goals and our aims
and we come a downtrodden, beaten and brutalized army of slaves
we come, we come to let the man know
WE INTEND TO BRING MUMIA HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Malikee
urban guerrilla poet
ugpoets@hotmail.com
ugp c/o cleveland rnr
pmb 245
11470 euclid ave
cleve oh 44106-3926
216.556.0127
========================================>
NOTE: Please do NOT send mail to mumia@aol.com
anymore, that address, sadly, belonged to Susan Burnett
who has passed away. Please send mail to:
mumia@webcom.com
icffmaj@aol.com
nattyreb@ix.netcom.com
Please unsubscribe/resubscribe automatically at www.afrikan.net/email.html
and feel free to communicate further if you are unable to do so.
-----------------------------------
WE MUST NOT FAIL! TAKE A STAND FOR YOUR BROTHERMAN!
International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
P.O. Box 19709 - Philadelphia, PA 19143
Ph: 215-476-8812 / Fax: 215-476-7551
E-mail: mumia@webcom.com
MUMIA MUST LIVE! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!