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UPCOMING TWIN CITIES EVENTS WITH RAMONA AFRICA
Once again, we are happy to present Ramona Africa, a national organizer in
defense of Mumia. Ramona has always captivated audiences in the Twin Cities
by tying together the issues of Mumia's frame-up, government repression,
police brutality, and Philadelphia's war against the MOVE organization.
Ramona, you may recall, is the sole adult survivor of the 1985 bombing of
the MOVE house in Philadelphia, and tells a compelling story based on her
unique experience. She will be featured at several events open to the
public occurring next week which you may choose to attend:
Wednesday Dec. 15, 7:00 P.M.
Dinner, discussion, and organizing meeting
Seward Cafe
2129 Franklin Ave E.
Minneapolis
Dinner and Meeting of the TCCDMAJ (note change of location)
Opportunity for activists to talk with Ramona Africa personally.
Come and join the discussion, and stay for the organizing meeting
Dinner: $7 (optional)
Thursday Dec. 16, 7:30 P.M.
Ramona Africa Speaks!
Walker Church
3104 16th Ave S.
Minneapolis
Friday December 17, 7:00 P.M.
Intimate reception and dinner for Ramona Africa
Join us for a sumptuous feast and lively conversation!
By reservation only, $30 minimum contribution requested
566 Marshall Ave.
St. Paul
Please call 651-649-4579 for reservations
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Twin Cities Coalition to Defend Mumia Abu-Jamal
Organizing meetings:
Every Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.
Arise Bookstore (address below)
24-hour Hotline: 651-649-4579
Web: http://www1.minn.net/~meis
TCCDMAJ
c/o Arise! Bookstore
2441 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, Mn. 55405
=====================================>
From: Pan-African News Wire <ac6123@wayne.edu>
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Distributed By: THE PAN-AFRICAN RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION CENTER
211 SCB BOX 47, WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
********* DETROIT, MI 48202-- E MAIL: ac6123@wayne.edu *********
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Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 21:13:04 -0500
From: fred vitale <fvitale@igc.org>
Subject: Volunteers for Mumia - Information
------------------------------------------------
Dear Volunteers for Mumia:
Thanks very much for volunteering your time to help build support for a new
trial for Mumia among workers.
We are planning to meet Friday, December 17, at 3:45 at the "Gate 4"
entrance to the Ford Rouge Plant on Miller Road south of Michigan Avenue
in Dearborn.
Miller Road is just west of Wyoming. From Michigan Avenue, go south on
Miller Road until you see the Ford Plant on the right. You can park on the
right in front of the Rouge Office Building. Walk south to the gate
opposite the overpass. (This is the famous "Gate 4" with the overpass
where union organizers got into a conflict with Ford's private police.)
More detailed directions are at the end of this e-mail.
Don't forget to wear WARM clothes. You can call me until 2:45 at
248-542-7712 for last minute information on the weather. You can page me
at 248-610-3177 if you miss me at home.
There will be three different things to do: (1) pass out literature on
Mumia, (2) collect signatures on a petition urging the United Auto Workers
Union members to take a stand against the execution and for a new trial,
(3) collect money to help finance the effort.
Here are some suggestions on how you might want to do these things.
1. DISTRIBUTING LITERATURE
You can distribute an appeal for Mumia directed to UAW and other union
members and signed by several UAW local union presidents. You can approach
people and say, "Hello, would you like some information on the struggle for
a new trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal?" and hand them a flyer. If they would
like more information, you can refer them to the literature table. You
will find that many people will simply take flyers without you even saying
anything to them. You can just smile and say hello as you hand them
flyers.
2. COLLECTING SIGNATURES
If you are collecting signatures on the petition urging the UAW to take a
stand, you can say: "Hello, would you like to sign a petition urging the UAW
to take a stand against the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal and for a new trial
for Mumia? We think it's wrong to execute a man when there are so many
doubts about whether or not he is guilty. Lots of well-known people are
calling for a new trial, like Jesse Jackson, John Conyers, the
Congressional Black Caucus." You'll find that some people will stop and
sign right there. Others may need some more convincing. If they need some
more convincing you can offer: "The police said Mumia confessed, that he's
a "cop-hater," a "cop-killer" and ought to be executed immediately. But
there is no record of his alleged confession in the police records for the
night he was supposed to have made it. Mumia was not allowed to defend
himself; he was forced to accept a court-appointed attorney who was later
disbarred; African-Americans were excluded from the jury; Mumia was
excluded from much of his own trial; evidence was withheld from the
defense and the jury. … etc."
You might want to take some time, read some literature on Mumia, and think
about what you want to say in your own words.
If someone asks, "What difference does it make what the UAW does?"
You might say: "The UAW is a relatively big and powerful union with deep
roots in the working class; if the authorities see that the UAW and other
unions are taking a stand against the execution and for a new trial for
Mumia, they'll see that support for Mumia's rights goes far beyond a handful
of radicals. They will be more afraid to continue to deny him his rights.
They will be afraid of losing credibility among millions of people."
If someone doesn't want to sign after a couple of arguments are presented to
them, you can say, "Thank you, maybe another day," and move on. Don't spend
a lot of time arguing with people who are extremely reluctant or hostile.
There are plenty of people out there who are sympathetic.
3. COLLECTING MONEY
If you are collecting funds for Mumia, you can say: "Hello, would you like
to make a contribution to help finance the struggle for a new trial for
Mumia Abu-Jamal? He's on death row, he insists that he is innocent, and we
are raising funds to help him fight for a new trial. We don't think a man
should be executed when there is even the slightest doubt about whether he
is innocent are guilty." You can explain that we need funds for publicity,
transportation to events, etc. If the answer is no, you can say, "Thanks
anyway. Maybe another day." If the answer is yes, "Thanks very much for your
contribution, we really appreciate it." Again, don't spend a lot of time
arguing with those not interested and sympathetic.
These are just a few suggestions to help you think and get started. If you
have questions, or you'd like to talk more, call me at 248-542-7712.
If you'd like to get together afterwards, there are lots of Arabic
restaurants near by for coffee or food.
Hope to see you Friday!
With solidarity,
Fred
DIRECTIONS FROM THE EAST:
If you are coming down I-75 or from the east side of Detroit take I-94 east
to the Rotunda exit. At the light, turn right and go to the next light
(road ends). Turn right (Miller Road) and the Rouge plant will be on your
right.
You can park on the right in front of the Rouge Office Building. Walk south
to Gate 4 opposite the Overpass. Look for us.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE WEST:
If you are coming from anywhere west of Detroit, take I-94 east to the
Schaefer Road exit. Take Schaefer Road north. After the SECOND light there
will be a fork in the road to the right. Take this. It brings you onto
Rotunda Road. Take Rotunda until it dead ends at Miller Road. Turn right.
The Rouge Plant is on your right. You can park on the right in front of
the Rouge Office Building. Walk south to Gate 4 opposite the overpass.
===========================================================================
From: "Eric Corder" <suicidenation@hotmail.com>
January 05, 2000:
March and demonstration in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal to take place in
Phoenix, Arizona. Everyone will be meeting at Patriot Square Park in
downtown Phoenix at 4pm where there will be a speaker and the march will
begin. the first stop will be at the Police Station where there will be a
small rally. the march will then continue on to the Federal Court Building
where there will be a huge rally with speakers and news coverage.
Throughout the entire demonstration there will be speakers, chants, drum
circles, distribution of literature, and other forms of non-violent protest
to send out a loud and clear message: FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL!
for more information on the march/demo or ways you or your group can get
involved to help please contact azdac@hotmail.com or check
http://move.to/adac
Arizona Direct Action Coalition
P.O.Box 533
Waddell, AZ. 85355 usa
http://move.to/adac
azdac@hotmail.com
====================================>
From: soa1@juno.com
From: David Sole <sole@dwsd.org>
Subject: Mumia and Iraq
--------------------------------------
Hi- The fight to save the life of death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal is
heating up. A very important January 17th rally will be held at the New
Bethel Baptist Church in the African American community at 2 PM. The
broadest turnout is needed to mobilize the vast base of potential
support here in the Metro Detroit area. To get involved, come to a Dec.
11 Party for Mumia Activists. This will be a social event with videos,
Mumia's CD broadcasts, food, drink and a chance to discuss organizing.
It will be at 5920 Second Avenue (just north of WSU) in Detroit, the
office of the International Action Center-Millions for Mumia. It runs
from 4-7 PM (or later if folks want to stay). If you want leaflets,
want to borrow the video- A Case for Reasonable Doubt, or want buttons or
ribbons demanding a new trial for Mumia, please come or email me.
The International Action Center is also organizing a third Sanctions
Challenge trip to take medicine to Iraq. One hundred activists will
join Ramsey Clark in January to defy the US sanctions that have killed
over 1.5 million Iraqis, mainly children. Your help is needed. A young
college student of journalism, Mark Marzolf, has signed up to go. But
he needs financial help for the air fare. Mark has been active in many
issues in recent years in the Metro Detroit area and would be a great
person to have represent Detroit on the trip. He will also be active
upon returning to speak out and write on what he witnesses. We need to
raise $1,000 in the next few weeks. Can you HELP? Send checks to help
Mark or for medicines for Iraq made out to INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER
and send to 5920 Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. Indicate whether the
check is for medicine or travel expenses
=========================================>
From: "C. Clark Kissinger" <cck1@earthlink.net>
For Immediate Release
For more information call:
Leonard Weinglass, 212-807-8646
Dan Williams, 212-883-1200
December 7, 1999
MUMIA ABU-JAMAL FILES NEW MEMORANDUM OF LAW WITH FEDERAL COURT--
ENTIRE PENNSYLVANIA COURT RECORD ASSAILED
Attorneys for imprisoned journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal today submitted to
federal district court judge William H. Yohn a 95-page memorandum of law.
The memorandum documents the legal basis for each of the twenty-nine claims
of constitutional violations asserted in Jamal’s petition for a federal writ
of habeas corpus.
The memorandum also asserts an interpretation of how the 1996 Antiterrorism
and Effective Death Penalty Act should be applied to this case.
The 1996 law was designed to restrict the use of federal writs of habeas
corpus to overturn unjust convictions by state courts. It has the effect of
restoring the doctrine of “states rights” that prevailed before the civil
rights movement. One part of the 1996 law requires federal judges to give a
“presumption of correctness” to findings of fact made by state courts.
In Jamal’s new memorandum his attorneys assert that the 1996 law still
provides two grounds for habeas relief. The first is if the state court
conviction is “contrary to” clearly established federal law. The memorandum
asserts that this is the case for all 29 claims, and hence there is no need
to determine the correctness of state court factual findings.
The 95-page memorandum then details the federal court cases that support
this claim. It also notes that key provisions of the 1996 have not yet been
ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the event that Judge Yohn does not accept the first argument, Jamal’s
attorneys go on to assert how the second basis of relief in the 1996 law
should be applied in this case. This deals with cases in which conviction
was based on an “unreasonable interpretation of the facts.”
Here Jamal’s attorneys argue that application of the “presumption of
correctness” language presupposes a full and fair hearing in the state court
system. They assert that this was not the case -- an issue that would have
to be decided prior to any application of “presumption of correctness.”
The memorandum announces that Jamal’s attorneys will be presenting the court
with a motion to set aside the state court’s findings of fact completely as
resulting from totally biased and corrupt proceedings.
If this motion is rejected, Jamal’s attorneys will present the court with a
motion for an evidentiary hearing on twelve of the twenty-nine claims
asserted.
A complete copy of the memorandum will be posted on
http://mojo.calyx.net/~refuse/mumia/index.html and other web sites covering
this landmark case.
=============================================>
From: traderootsreggae <traderootsreggae@home.com>
http://www.activistsandiego.org/what/roots.html
New CD "Without Apology: Reggae Free Mumia"
GIVE THE GIFT OF CONSCIENCE
"Without Apology: Reggae Free Mumia" is available now!
Order your cd today over the internet. Visit www.traderootsreggae.com
and click the Mumia Lion Heart icon for three free downloads from the cd
plus ordering info. The cd booklet contains Mumia's 1979 interview with
Bob Marley. Mumia activists can order their cds in bulk at wholesale prices
by e-mailing BKdistribution@yahoo.com
=========================================>
From: "Greg Butterfield" <theredguard@hotmail.com>
Sharpton visits, urges support for Abu-Jamal
Saturday, December 11, 1999
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
By Dennis B. Roddy, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
The Rev. Al Sharpton, a New York minister at the heart of several racially
charged disputes over the past decade, visited death row inmate Mumia
Abu-Jamal yesterday, then held a press conference to publicly call on other
civil rights figures to do likewise.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, second from left, speaks during a news conference
yesterday at Monumental Baptist Church in the Hill District after visiting
death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal. Also pictured are The Rev. Tom Smith,
left, of Monumental Baptist Church, Pam Africa, anorganizer of International
Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Marcus Rediker of the
Western Pennsylvania Committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal. Sharpton called on
other civil rights leaders "to make the same trip I have made." (Joyce
Mendelsohn/Post-Gazette)
"I hope my coming will be the beginning of a traffic jam," Sharpton said,
urging supporters to visit Abu-Jamal, convicted in the 1981 shooting death
of a Philadelphia policeman. Sharpton said those who can't get inside the
maximum security prison near Waynesburg, Greene County, should hold prayer
vigils outside.
Sharpton called on fellow civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson and
national NAACP President Kweisi Mfume "to make the same trip I have made."
A spokesman for Mfume said the NAACP president had not yet discussed the
matter with Sharpton and could not comment. Jackson's office did not respond
to a request for comment.
Abu-Jamal was convicted in 1982 of killing Philadelphia patrolman Daniel
Faulkner.
His supporters insist Abu-Jamal was not given a fair trial and that
witnesses since have come forward who contradict evidence presented during
the 1982 trial.
In an afternoon press conference at Monumental Baptist Church in the Hill
District, Sharpton said he spent several hours with Abu-Jamal who, he said,
mostly spoke of death penalty appeals of other inmates, including James
Breathard, a 42-year-old Texas inmate executed by lethal injection yesterday
after being convicted in a triple murder.
Like Abu-Jamal, Breathard insisted he was unjustly convicted.
Sharpton described Abu-Jamal, a former radio journalist in Philadelphia, as
deeply spiritual and at peace with himself.
"He's already free," Sharpton said. "I have met people at home who aren't as
free as Mumia."
Sharpton's visit adds to a growing list of celebrities who have visited
Abu-Jamal on death row. Prior stops included ones by the widow of French
President Francois Mitterand, author Alice Walker and radical academic
Angela Davis.
Yesterday's visit came eight days after Abu-Jamal had been scheduled to be
executed by lethal injection. A federal court granted a stay of execution
while Abu-Jamal pursues legal appeals.
It came one day after the 18th anniversary of Daniel Faulkner's death.
Richard Costello, president of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police,
angrily criticized Sharpton's visit.
Critics of the campaign to free Abu-Jamal say he received a fair trial 17
years ago, a trial disrupted by the defendant's outbursts as he demanded to
be represented by John Africa, one of the leaders of the radical group MOVE,
who was imprisoned at the time of Abu-Jamal's trial.
Sharpton gained national prominence 11 years ago when he championed the
cause of Tawana Brawley, a New York teen-ager who said she had been held
captive and raped by several men. A grand jury later found no evidence to
the teen-ager's claims.
The head of the union representing Philadelphia's police officers seized on
Sharpton's role in the Brawley case to criticize his visit to Abu-Jamal.
"Virtually every case this guy has been involved in has been of the caliber
of the Tawana Brawley case," said Costello. "It's natural that since
[Abu-Jamal] murdered a police office, he would attract the ilk of Sharpton's
stature."
Sharpton later campaigned on behalf of Abner Louima, a Haitian immigrant who
was beaten and sodomized by several New York City police officers. One of
those officers, Justin Volpe, will be sentenced Monday for his conviction in
the case.
"I know my critics like going back 11 years to Brawley, but most of the
cases we represented ended up being the way we said," Sharpton said.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
** INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR MUMIA **
From: kurt svensson <ksvensson@motkraft.net>
Subject: (en) Mumia Demo in Copenhagen
FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL
Monday 13/12 1999
Copenhagen, Danmark
The police attacked a peaceful demonstration shortly after it had begun.
The demonstration, which was part of the international campaign for the
release of the Afro-American Mumia Abu-Jamal, only proceeded a few hundred
meters. At that point the demonstration stopped in 17 minutes, one minute
for each year Mumia has been on death-row in USA. However, before the 17
minutes had passed, an aggressive police force drove into the demonstration
in there transporters. First two at the front then two from behind. The
demonstration was encircled but had courage enough to show resistance
towards the aggressive police behavior. After this, the police sent in
their riot vehicles and broke up the demonstration. The demonstration
proceeded to central Copenhagen, but did not get far before the police
attacked with batons and tried to run people over with their armoured
vehicles. All in all, circa 10 people were arrested and several were
victims of police brutality.
The struggle continues for Mumias' release!
source: <bumzen@antifa.net>
kurt svensson
c/o brand
box 150 15
104 65 stockholm
sweden
ksvensson@motkraft.net
[pgp keys available upon request]
-för revolution i vår livstid-
=================================>
From: Gorka <maldoror@aleph.pangea.org>
Subject: UNAM students march on US embassy,Dec 12
Dear all,
the students in strike of the UNAM in Mexico just had a demonstration in
front of the US amabassy. They wanted to express their solidarity with the
protests against the WTO in Seattle and also urge the liberation of Mumia
Abu Jamal.
The demonstration gathered about 500 people. After the speeches some
students threw stones at the ambassy destroying several windows. It came
to a very tough clash between the riot police and the students, which is
described in all details below. The police was extremely brutal.
There were 98 arrests, 10 injured students, 6 injured policemen. Two
journalists from the Jornada were injured.
There was a follow up demonstration in support of the 98 arrestees, which
almost lead to a second riot. The FZLN sent a press release out expressing
their solidarity with the students and condemning police brutality.
The text is too long to translate now. I just wanted to get the info out.
a picture of the protests can be viewed at
http://unam.netgate.net/jornada/
we are everywhere !
solidaridad con los estudiantes de la UNAM !
hasta la victoria !
Luciano
CRUZ NEGRA ANARQUISTA - Apdo 24103 - 08080 Barcelona - tf.- 93 329 3661
End
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse.
================================>
It would be much appreciated if you could list us
as a group doing work around Mumia in Calgary,
Alberta Canada. Please list the Coalition contact info:
The Calgary Coalition to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
PO Box 23147, Connaught PO, Calgary AB, T2S 3B1
Ph: (403) 266-8858
email: calfreemumia@hotmail.com
Peace out,
George, CCF-MAJ.
=========================================>
From: Gorka <maldoror@aleph.pangea.org>
The struggle for Mumia is extended all over the countries of the world.
The international pressure, it can not be hidden under the carpet,
because the carpet already it is thoroughly covered of persons and
peoples that from all the countries of the world claim justice and
freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The American territories in all the countries of the world
(embassies, consulates, delegations,...) are, a day after other,
being besieged by the faces of Mumia that are expressed against the
racism of the EE.UU. and claim freedom for Mumia.
Concentration in the door of the embassy of USA in Montevideo
(Uruguay) for the next December 22.
====================================>
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
Tax deductible contributions to the Organizing Campaign to
Free Mumia Abu-Jamal should be made payable to and sent to:
The International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Inc.
P.O. Box 19709
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Tel: (215) 476-8812
Fax: (215) 476-7751
Tax deductible contributions to the Legal defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal
should be made payable to and sent to:
National Black United Fund/MAJ
40 Clinton St., 5th Fl.
Newark, NJ 07102
=========================>
IT'S RIGHTEOUS TO RESIST!