Emergency Solidarity Action for Mumia Abu-Jamal's Appeal

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Friday March 28, 2008 21:51

by prisoner solidarity

In an unjust decision by the Third Circuit Court, all of the claims for a new trial for former Black Panther and progressive journalist/activist Mumia Abu-Jamal were denied and his murder conviction upheld.

The three-judge panel of the second-highest court in the country split 2-1 in denying clear evidence that the Philadelphia district attorney deliberately sought to exclude as many African Americans as possible from the jury in Mumia's trial.

The court ruled that the death penalty could not be reinstated unless a new penalty hearing is held within 180 days. The hearing would be restricted to deciding whether Mumia will again face execution or be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Mumia's renowned lead attorney, Robert R. Bryan, said following the court decision: "I've never seen a case as permeated and riddled with racism as this one, I want a new trial and I want him free. His conviction was a travesty of justice.... I am not happy that two of the three judges turned a deaf ear to the racism that permeated this case."

Mumia is known as the "Voice of the Voiceless" due to his activism and journalist work, which began in Philadelphia in the 1970s and early 1980s. He was convicted in 1982 and sentenced to death by the infamously racist "hanging judge," Albert Sabo, for the killing of Philadelphia police office Daniel Faulkner. Sabo was later quoted as saying that he was going to help the prosecution "fry the n_____."

Despite being confined to death row in Pennsylvania for more than a quarter-century, Mumia has continued to be a powerful and tireless voice against war, racism and injustice of every kind. Just last week, at the ANSWER-organized rally marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a message from Mumia was heard by thousands of people gathered in the San Francisco Civic Center.

Today's court decision will be appealed, but what is most crucial now is to mobilize as widely and deeply as possible to demand: "Free Mumia! End the Racist Death Penalty!"

Earlier today protesters rallied at the state office building as part of an emergency demonstration which was called by the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC).

For more information, and to forward messages of solidarity go to :

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Emergency Solidarity Action for Mumia Abu-Jamal's Appeal