Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Politics of Office
[col. writ. 5/16/09] (c) '09 Mumia Abu-Jamal
There are many things to be learned by the nation's most recent presidential election; some new; some old.
In some ways, this election marked a new page in history, and as such, has had impacts and influences that were quite unprecedented.
In other ways, this election is an exercise in continuity, as the administration, like the 2006 congressional elections before it, strove mightily to reassure the wealthy and well-to-do that nothing essential would change, and their interests would be protected.
And while President Barack H. Obama ran on the promise of change, he has adopted some of the same policies of the Bush administration.
He will not release photos of U.S. soldiers mistreating, abusing, torturing and/or humiliating foreign prisoners and detainees.
He will continue the military commissions begun under the Bush-Cheney regime, albeit with some procedural changes.
And several of the so-called 'black sites', secret prisons placed around the world and administered by the CIA, will keep right on humming.
And, of course, he will continue to prosecute the wars begun and waged under the previous administration; though it appears Afghanistan will garner the lion's share of White House attention.
Boy, what a difference an election makes.
Or, put quite another way, running for an office is worlds away from getting it.
The fact of the matter is the previous administration comprised perhaps the greatest collection of rogues, scoundrels and corporate criminals since the time of Herbert Hoover, but it matters not.
No matter what crimes were committed, no matter how badly the Constitution was shredded, no matter how many 'black sites' or Guantanamo's, they know that they are immune.
Their impeachment argument was 'off the table' : now, any real prosecutions are. Why? Because that's politics.
There's a French saying: "Plus ca change...." "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
--(c) '-9 Mumia Abu-Jamal
There are many things to be learned by the nation's most recent presidential election; some new; some old.
In some ways, this election marked a new page in history, and as such, has had impacts and influences that were quite unprecedented.
In other ways, this election is an exercise in continuity, as the administration, like the 2006 congressional elections before it, strove mightily to reassure the wealthy and well-to-do that nothing essential would change, and their interests would be protected.
And while President Barack H. Obama ran on the promise of change, he has adopted some of the same policies of the Bush administration.
He will not release photos of U.S. soldiers mistreating, abusing, torturing and/or humiliating foreign prisoners and detainees.
He will continue the military commissions begun under the Bush-Cheney regime, albeit with some procedural changes.
And several of the so-called 'black sites', secret prisons placed around the world and administered by the CIA, will keep right on humming.
And, of course, he will continue to prosecute the wars begun and waged under the previous administration; though it appears Afghanistan will garner the lion's share of White House attention.
Boy, what a difference an election makes.
Or, put quite another way, running for an office is worlds away from getting it.
The fact of the matter is the previous administration comprised perhaps the greatest collection of rogues, scoundrels and corporate criminals since the time of Herbert Hoover, but it matters not.
No matter what crimes were committed, no matter how badly the Constitution was shredded, no matter how many 'black sites' or Guantanamo's, they know that they are immune.
Their impeachment argument was 'off the table' : now, any real prosecutions are. Why? Because that's politics.
There's a French saying: "Plus ca change...." "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
--(c) '-9 Mumia Abu-Jamal
!*Free Mumia Movement Fundraising Appeal
Fundraising is a political task, & so this is an intensely political appeal. We are literally non-profit because we have no "stuff" to sell. All we "sell" is our commitment to free Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners. But we need money to fulfill the goals we've set to free Mumia.
First, we've been relying on other organizations to lend us their sound systems for rallies & marches, and sometimes we just can't make it happen. Not every activist who has an important story to tell is a street orator, so we are too often stuck in New York or Philly with dynamic speakers but no sound system to make them heard. Convinced that everything is possible, a trio of our most dedicated organizers went forth & actually purchased a portable sound system so we can demonstrate for Mumia anywhere we can travel. This has cost us $350, and it came out of a hard-working activist's rent money. We need your donation right now to put the rent money back in his pocket. Ten donations at only $35 will keep the wolf from the door.
Our big campaign to demand that the Justice Department grant Mumia a civil rights investigation is gathering tremendous momentum, with some really high-profile names, such as Ruby Dee, Cornel West, and Charles Rangel signing on, as well as thousands of folks from the U.S. and abroad. To go forward with lobbying in D.C., we are working to raise $2,000 to charter a bus.
We also want to be sure that folks who take a day off from work and family responsibilities to travel 9 hours and lobby will feel empowered to do it. We'd really like to offer free bus fare and meals to Mumia's lobbyists, who will be educating and raising the consciousness of our elected officials. We're asking for seed money to make sure that no one who is willing to go is excluded. Please give generously to make a real change in our nation and to help free Mumia Abu-Jamal!
You may donate online at www.freemumia.com, clicking on the How to Help link or send checks and money orders (payable to Free Mumia Coalition, NYC/IFCO) to us at our fiscal sponsor, IFCO [Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization]:
IFCO
402 West 145th Street
New York, NY 10031
Call 212-926-5757 with any fiscal questions or 212-330-8029 (Mumia Hotline) with any other questions.
First, we've been relying on other organizations to lend us their sound systems for rallies & marches, and sometimes we just can't make it happen. Not every activist who has an important story to tell is a street orator, so we are too often stuck in New York or Philly with dynamic speakers but no sound system to make them heard. Convinced that everything is possible, a trio of our most dedicated organizers went forth & actually purchased a portable sound system so we can demonstrate for Mumia anywhere we can travel. This has cost us $350, and it came out of a hard-working activist's rent money. We need your donation right now to put the rent money back in his pocket. Ten donations at only $35 will keep the wolf from the door.
Our big campaign to demand that the Justice Department grant Mumia a civil rights investigation is gathering tremendous momentum, with some really high-profile names, such as Ruby Dee, Cornel West, and Charles Rangel signing on, as well as thousands of folks from the U.S. and abroad. To go forward with lobbying in D.C., we are working to raise $2,000 to charter a bus.
We also want to be sure that folks who take a day off from work and family responsibilities to travel 9 hours and lobby will feel empowered to do it. We'd really like to offer free bus fare and meals to Mumia's lobbyists, who will be educating and raising the consciousness of our elected officials. We're asking for seed money to make sure that no one who is willing to go is excluded. Please give generously to make a real change in our nation and to help free Mumia Abu-Jamal!
You may donate online at www.freemumia.com, clicking on the How to Help link or send checks and money orders (payable to Free Mumia Coalition, NYC/IFCO) to us at our fiscal sponsor, IFCO [Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization]:
IFCO
402 West 145th Street
New York, NY 10031
Call 212-926-5757 with any fiscal questions or 212-330-8029 (Mumia Hotline) with any other questions.
Government for Whom?
[col. writ. 5/2/09] (c} '09 Mumia Abu-Jamal
As the economy tumbles like weeds in an old western, companies are getting bailouts in the double digit billions, while workers are being asked to "sacrifice."
Those at the top of the corporate wheel have not only lost little, they've not been asked to give anything back. Indeed, they've not even been asked what they're done with over $300 billion bucks!
The only thing certain is they've not done what they promised to do when they first began to beg for public monies!
But when automotive industries tried to get the kind of help that their brothers in banking got, they were kicked in the pills, and the political elites demanded that they use this economic crisis to whip up on the auto unions -- to fire more workers, cut pay, and rifle the pension envelopes of retirees!
And what of Pres. Barack Obama, who received the votes of millions of labor families?
If you listened instead of looked you might've thought Bush was back, judging by the rhetoric: "It will require unions and workers who have already made extraordinarily painful concessions to make even more.*
The UAW (United Automotive, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers Union, Intl.) has given up so much in the last few years that it ain't funny. Several years ago, management pushed for, and got, a two - tiered pay system, where new workers received about 1/2 the pay of other workers -- and temporary worker status.
How is it remotely fair that those who have less are being asked to give up more?
For decades, people have believed that Democrats were more beholden to labor, given their years of voting for that party. But can one still believe this after the debacle of NAFTA?
Is this what labor voted for?
Way back in 1990, a key Republican analyst, Kevin Phillips, described the Democrats as "history's second-most enthusiastic capitalist party." *
If you look at the top pay at the boards of American companies, you'll find dudes like GM's Lyle Wagoner, who pulled down a cool $23 million dollars when he split -- not to mention a $69 thousand annual pension.
If this is what people are voting for -- more betrayal -- why bother?
--(c) '09 maj
[Source: *Zinn, Howard, A People's History of the United States: 1492 - Present
(N.Y.: Harpers Perennial [2003 ed. {orig. 1980} ], p. 579.)
As the economy tumbles like weeds in an old western, companies are getting bailouts in the double digit billions, while workers are being asked to "sacrifice."
Those at the top of the corporate wheel have not only lost little, they've not been asked to give anything back. Indeed, they've not even been asked what they're done with over $300 billion bucks!
The only thing certain is they've not done what they promised to do when they first began to beg for public monies!
But when automotive industries tried to get the kind of help that their brothers in banking got, they were kicked in the pills, and the political elites demanded that they use this economic crisis to whip up on the auto unions -- to fire more workers, cut pay, and rifle the pension envelopes of retirees!
And what of Pres. Barack Obama, who received the votes of millions of labor families?
If you listened instead of looked you might've thought Bush was back, judging by the rhetoric: "It will require unions and workers who have already made extraordinarily painful concessions to make even more.*
The UAW (United Automotive, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers Union, Intl.) has given up so much in the last few years that it ain't funny. Several years ago, management pushed for, and got, a two - tiered pay system, where new workers received about 1/2 the pay of other workers -- and temporary worker status.
How is it remotely fair that those who have less are being asked to give up more?
For decades, people have believed that Democrats were more beholden to labor, given their years of voting for that party. But can one still believe this after the debacle of NAFTA?
Is this what labor voted for?
Way back in 1990, a key Republican analyst, Kevin Phillips, described the Democrats as "history's second-most enthusiastic capitalist party." *
If you look at the top pay at the boards of American companies, you'll find dudes like GM's Lyle Wagoner, who pulled down a cool $23 million dollars when he split -- not to mention a $69 thousand annual pension.
If this is what people are voting for -- more betrayal -- why bother?
--(c) '09 maj
[Source: *Zinn, Howard, A People's History of the United States: 1492 - Present
(N.Y.: Harpers Perennial [2003 ed. {orig. 1980} ], p. 579.)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
No Cost of Living Increase for Social Security Recipients
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Michigan Man Who Fathered 14 Kids With Different Women Owes $530G in Child Support
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Associated Press
FLINT, Mich. — Authorities in Michigan say a man fathered 14 children with different women and owes more than $530,000 in unpaid child support.
The Flint Journal reports 42-year-old Thomas Frazier was jailed Thursday. Court records say he owes six years of support payments.
The newspaper says the unemployed man could be held for 90 days if he doesn't pay $27,900.
Frazier says he thinks he fathered only three of the children and that it's unrealistic for authorities to expect him to pay child support that was $3,000 a month at one point.
Frazier remains held at the Genesee County Jail. It wasn't immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could speak for him.
Associated Press
FLINT, Mich. — Authorities in Michigan say a man fathered 14 children with different women and owes more than $530,000 in unpaid child support.
The Flint Journal reports 42-year-old Thomas Frazier was jailed Thursday. Court records say he owes six years of support payments.
The newspaper says the unemployed man could be held for 90 days if he doesn't pay $27,900.
Frazier says he thinks he fathered only three of the children and that it's unrealistic for authorities to expect him to pay child support that was $3,000 a month at one point.
Frazier remains held at the Genesee County Jail. It wasn't immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could speak for him.
America's Most Dangerous Cities - Top 25
1. New Orleans, LA
2. Camden, NJ
3. Detroit, MI
4. St. Louis, MO
5. Oakland, CA
6. Flint, MI
7. Gary, IN
8. Birmingham, AL
9. Richmond, CA
10. North Charleston, SC
11. Cleveland, OH
12. Baltimore, MD
13. Miami Gardens, FL
14. Memphis, TN
15. Youngstown, OH
16. Atlanta, GA
17. Compton, CA
18. Orlando, FL
19. Little Rock, AR
20. Minneapolis, MN
21. Washington, DC
22. Philadelphia, PA
23. Jackson, MS
24. Newark, NJ
25. Milwaukee, WI
2. Camden, NJ
3. Detroit, MI
4. St. Louis, MO
5. Oakland, CA
6. Flint, MI
7. Gary, IN
8. Birmingham, AL
9. Richmond, CA
10. North Charleston, SC
11. Cleveland, OH
12. Baltimore, MD
13. Miami Gardens, FL
14. Memphis, TN
15. Youngstown, OH
16. Atlanta, GA
17. Compton, CA
18. Orlando, FL
19. Little Rock, AR
20. Minneapolis, MN
21. Washington, DC
22. Philadelphia, PA
23. Jackson, MS
24. Newark, NJ
25. Milwaukee, WI
Friday, April 10, 2009
!*FANTASTIC WBAI Radio Show on Mumia!
The WBAI Show last night gave out so much information that it is something
that everyone should listen to, it clearly spells out exactly how the system has
ignored it's own laws at every turn and has an answer to every question that
the kill-crazy cops and their supporters raise to try and murder our Bro. It's
up to ALL of us to build a movement too big for that to happen!! The
radio show is riveting, not boring, please listen to it and use it for P.E. !
PLEASE HELP TO COVER EVERY CORNER OF THE
INTERNET WITH THESE IMPORTANT UPDATES!!
===============
http://www.phillyim c.org/en/ wbai-mumia-abu- jamal- featuring-pam- africa-linn- washington-and- vincent- southerland
http://www.indybay. org/ newsitems/2009/ 04/10/18587371. php
http://archive. wbai.org/ files/ mp3/090409_200001ww live.MP3
Listen to the April 9, 2009 WBAI Radio show "Where We Live" focusing on the case of death row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the April 4 US Supreme Court ruling which rejected Abu-Jamal's appeal for a new guilt phase trial.
The show is hosted by Suzanne Ross, who is Co-Chair of the New York City Coalition to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, and features as guests:
--Pam Africa, Coordinator of the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
--Linn Washington Jr,, Philadelphia Tribune columnist and Temple University professor of journalism
--Vincent Southerland, Assistant counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
On Monday, April 4, the US Supreme Court Mumia Abu-Jamal's appeal for a new guilt phase trial (in official legal terms, they rejected his petition for a "writ of certiorari").
Abu-Jamal's appeal was based primarily on the US Supreme Court's 1986 "Batson v Kentucky" ruling which stated that a defendant deserves a new trial if it can be shown that the prosecutor used peremptory strikes to remove otherwise qualified jurors simply because of their race. At Abu-Jamal's 1982 trial, prosecutor Joseph McGill used 10 or 11 of his 15 strikes to remove otherwise acceptable black jurors.
The US Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will further consider the Philadelphia DA's appeal of the 2001/2008 rulings of two lower courts, which ruled that Abu-Jamal deserves a new sentencing hearing if the death penalty is to be re-instated. Therefore, if the US Supreme Court rules in favor of the DA, Abu-Jamal can then be executed WITHOUT a new sentencing hearing!
For more information on the Supreme Court ruling here.
Please sign the online petition for Mumia here: www.petitiononline.com/supreme
==============================================================
Mumia's New Book On Jailhouse Lawyers
"More Than A Book Party" events to be held around US, marking the March release
Purchase Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A., directly from City Lights Books. Read the foreword by former political prisoner Angela Y. Davis and an interview with Mumia about his new book. In Mumia's words, "This is the story of law learned, not in the ivory towers of multi-billion- dollar endowed universities, but in the bowels of the slave-ship, in the hidden, dank dungeons of America."
"More Than A Book Party" events will be held in the US around April 24, to mark Mumia's birthday and the release of Jailhouse Lawyers. Read more about events in: Philadelphia (including a Revolutionary Week of Events), NYC, Oakland, Los Angeles, Boston, Portland, Houston, Washington, DC, and Baltimore.
Read reviews by: Linn Washington, Jr., J. Patrick O'Connor, and Kiilu Nyasha
==========
EMERGENCY STRATEGIZING MEETINGS:
When: Saturday, April 11, 2009 10 am – 12 noon
Where: Abiding Truth Ministries Church, 5701 Washington, Ave. Philly
Contact: 215 476 8812 or ICFFMAJ@aol. com
GET FLYERS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS - E-mail icffmaj@aol.com
NY: Open Meeting in Response to the Outrageous and Racist Ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court
When: Saturday, April 11, 2009, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Solidarity Center, 55 West 17th Street, 5th Floor
(btw. 5th & 6th Avenues)
Directions: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, or V to 14th Street
Sponsored by: Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC)
freemumia.com • 212-330-8029
The Power of Truth is Final -- Free Mumia!
Audio of most of Mumia's essays are at: http://www.prisonradio.org
http://mumiapodcast.libsyn.com/
Mumia's got a podcast! Mumia Abu-Jamal's Radio Essays - Subscribe at the website or on iTunes and get Mumia's radio commentaries online.
Mumia Abu-Jamal's new book -- JAILHOUSE LAWYERS: PRISONERS DEFENDING PRISONERS V. THE USA, featuring an introduction by Angela Y. Davis -- will be released soon! It will be available from City Lights Books at a 30% discount weeks before you can get it at any other bookstore, or from Amazon. Sign up for an email alert and when the book becomes available for sale you'll receive an email letting you know: http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100448090
In support of Mumia and the publication of JAILHOUSE LAWYERS, organizations around the country will be holding "More Than a Book Party" events on or around Mumia's birthday, April 24, 2009. If you are planning to organize an event or would like to order in bulk, you can also receive a 45% discount on any bulk orders of 20 copies or more. The book retails for $16.95, for orders of 20 copies or more the discounted price would be $9.32 per book, plus shipping and handling. Prepayment would be required and books are nonreturnable. If you or your organization would like to place a bulk order, please contact Stacey Lewis at 415.362.1901 or stacey@citylights.com
Let's use the opportunity of the publication of this brilliant, moving, vintage Mumia book to build the momentum for his case, to raise the money we desperately need in these challenging economic times, to get the word out – to produce literature, flyers, posters, videos, DVD's; to send organizers out to help build new chapters and strengthen old ones, TO GET THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREETS … all the work that we must do in order to FREE MUMIA as he faces LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE OR EXECUTION!
Please make a contribution to help free Mumia. Donations to the grassroots work will go to both INTERNATIONAL CONCERNED FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL and the FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL COALITION (NYC).
WWW.FREEMUMIA.COM
Please mail donations/ checks to:
FREE MUMIA ABU JAMAL COALITION
PO BOX 16, NEW YORK,
NY 10030
(CHECKS FOR BOTH ORGANIZATIONS PAYABLE TO: FMAJC/IFCO)
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
215 476-8812
212-330-8029
Send our brotha some LOVE and LIGHT at:
Mumia Abu-Jamal
AM 8335
SCI-Greene
175 Progress Drive
Waynesburg, PA 15370
WE WHO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM CAN *NOT* REST!!
Subscribe: mumiacolumns- subscribe@ topica.com
Read: http://topica. com/lists/ mumiacolumns/ read
Subscribe ICFFMAJ email updates list by e-mailing
icffmaj@aol. com!
that everyone should listen to, it clearly spells out exactly how the system has
ignored it's own laws at every turn and has an answer to every question that
the kill-crazy cops and their supporters raise to try and murder our Bro. It's
up to ALL of us to build a movement too big for that to happen!! The
radio show is riveting, not boring, please listen to it and use it for P.E. !
PLEASE HELP TO COVER EVERY CORNER OF THE
INTERNET WITH THESE IMPORTANT UPDATES!!
===============
http://www.phillyim c.org/en/ wbai-mumia-abu- jamal- featuring-pam- africa-linn- washington-and- vincent- southerland
http://www.indybay. org/ newsitems/2009/ 04/10/18587371. php
http://archive. wbai.org/ files/ mp3/090409_200001ww live.MP3
Listen to the April 9, 2009 WBAI Radio show "Where We Live" focusing on the case of death row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the April 4 US Supreme Court ruling which rejected Abu-Jamal's appeal for a new guilt phase trial.
The show is hosted by Suzanne Ross, who is Co-Chair of the New York City Coalition to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, and features as guests:
--Pam Africa, Coordinator of the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
--Linn Washington Jr,, Philadelphia Tribune columnist and Temple University professor of journalism
--Vincent Southerland, Assistant counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
On Monday, April 4, the US Supreme Court Mumia Abu-Jamal's appeal for a new guilt phase trial (in official legal terms, they rejected his petition for a "writ of certiorari").
Abu-Jamal's appeal was based primarily on the US Supreme Court's 1986 "Batson v Kentucky" ruling which stated that a defendant deserves a new trial if it can be shown that the prosecutor used peremptory strikes to remove otherwise qualified jurors simply because of their race. At Abu-Jamal's 1982 trial, prosecutor Joseph McGill used 10 or 11 of his 15 strikes to remove otherwise acceptable black jurors.
The US Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will further consider the Philadelphia DA's appeal of the 2001/2008 rulings of two lower courts, which ruled that Abu-Jamal deserves a new sentencing hearing if the death penalty is to be re-instated. Therefore, if the US Supreme Court rules in favor of the DA, Abu-Jamal can then be executed WITHOUT a new sentencing hearing!
For more information on the Supreme Court ruling here.
Please sign the online petition for Mumia here: www.petitiononline.com/supreme
==============================================================
Mumia's New Book On Jailhouse Lawyers
"More Than A Book Party" events to be held around US, marking the March release
Purchase Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A., directly from City Lights Books. Read the foreword by former political prisoner Angela Y. Davis and an interview with Mumia about his new book. In Mumia's words, "This is the story of law learned, not in the ivory towers of multi-billion- dollar endowed universities, but in the bowels of the slave-ship, in the hidden, dank dungeons of America."
"More Than A Book Party" events will be held in the US around April 24, to mark Mumia's birthday and the release of Jailhouse Lawyers. Read more about events in: Philadelphia (including a Revolutionary Week of Events), NYC, Oakland, Los Angeles, Boston, Portland, Houston, Washington, DC, and Baltimore.
Read reviews by: Linn Washington, Jr., J. Patrick O'Connor, and Kiilu Nyasha
==========
EMERGENCY STRATEGIZING MEETINGS:
When: Saturday, April 11, 2009 10 am – 12 noon
Where: Abiding Truth Ministries Church, 5701 Washington, Ave. Philly
Contact: 215 476 8812 or ICFFMAJ@aol. com
GET FLYERS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS - E-mail icffmaj@aol.com
NY: Open Meeting in Response to the Outrageous and Racist Ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court
When: Saturday, April 11, 2009, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Solidarity Center, 55 West 17th Street, 5th Floor
(btw. 5th & 6th Avenues)
Directions: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, or V to 14th Street
Sponsored by: Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC)
freemumia.com • 212-330-8029
The Power of Truth is Final -- Free Mumia!
Audio of most of Mumia's essays are at: http://www.prisonradio.org
http://mumiapodcast.libsyn.com/
Mumia's got a podcast! Mumia Abu-Jamal's Radio Essays - Subscribe at the website or on iTunes and get Mumia's radio commentaries online.
Mumia Abu-Jamal's new book -- JAILHOUSE LAWYERS: PRISONERS DEFENDING PRISONERS V. THE USA, featuring an introduction by Angela Y. Davis -- will be released soon! It will be available from City Lights Books at a 30% discount weeks before you can get it at any other bookstore, or from Amazon. Sign up for an email alert and when the book becomes available for sale you'll receive an email letting you know: http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100448090
In support of Mumia and the publication of JAILHOUSE LAWYERS, organizations around the country will be holding "More Than a Book Party" events on or around Mumia's birthday, April 24, 2009. If you are planning to organize an event or would like to order in bulk, you can also receive a 45% discount on any bulk orders of 20 copies or more. The book retails for $16.95, for orders of 20 copies or more the discounted price would be $9.32 per book, plus shipping and handling. Prepayment would be required and books are nonreturnable. If you or your organization would like to place a bulk order, please contact Stacey Lewis at 415.362.1901 or stacey@citylights.com
Let's use the opportunity of the publication of this brilliant, moving, vintage Mumia book to build the momentum for his case, to raise the money we desperately need in these challenging economic times, to get the word out – to produce literature, flyers, posters, videos, DVD's; to send organizers out to help build new chapters and strengthen old ones, TO GET THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREETS … all the work that we must do in order to FREE MUMIA as he faces LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE OR EXECUTION!
Please make a contribution to help free Mumia. Donations to the grassroots work will go to both INTERNATIONAL CONCERNED FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL and the FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL COALITION (NYC).
WWW.FREEMUMIA.COM
Please mail donations/ checks to:
FREE MUMIA ABU JAMAL COALITION
PO BOX 16, NEW YORK,
NY 10030
(CHECKS FOR BOTH ORGANIZATIONS PAYABLE TO: FMAJC/IFCO)
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
215 476-8812
212-330-8029
Send our brotha some LOVE and LIGHT at:
Mumia Abu-Jamal
AM 8335
SCI-Greene
175 Progress Drive
Waynesburg, PA 15370
WE WHO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM CAN *NOT* REST!!
Subscribe: mumiacolumns- subscribe@ topica.com
Read: http://topica. com/lists/ mumiacolumns/ read
Subscribe ICFFMAJ email updates list by e-mailing
icffmaj@aol. com!
!*"May Day '09" by Mumia Abu-Jamal
[Speech writ. 3/23/09] (c) '09 Mumia Abu-Jamal
While May Day has historically been a day of worker's solidarity and a celebration of labor power, this is not a day or year like any other.
That's because many nations are in the midst of economic recession and financial failure, and it is workers worldwide who are suffering from layoffs and mass firings in almost every sector of the global economy.
While labor is depressed, capital is aggregating to itself bigger and larger shares of national and global wealth, as governments rush to bail out banks and investment firms, but only if they are "too big to fail."
Under the newly amended rules of capitalism, corporations (especially in the financial sector) can scam, steal, and hustle virtually everyone, and when the economy falls, the government sails in and bails them out with public money!
Under a system such as this, capitalism can never lose. It's like a gambling casino, where the house rules change every half hour (or depending on who's winning and who's losing!)
But workers are losing.
Around the world, workers are facing lost jobs, vanished careers, foreclosed homes, and families broken and shattered against the grinding wheel of Capital.
This will be one hell of a May Day -- but it's the one that globalized capital has fashioned for us all.
Only if labor is truly globalized can it fight for and demand its fair share from the ravages of capitalism.
Let that be our mission for May Day -- and for tomorrow.
--(c) '09 maj
While May Day has historically been a day of worker's solidarity and a celebration of labor power, this is not a day or year like any other.
That's because many nations are in the midst of economic recession and financial failure, and it is workers worldwide who are suffering from layoffs and mass firings in almost every sector of the global economy.
While labor is depressed, capital is aggregating to itself bigger and larger shares of national and global wealth, as governments rush to bail out banks and investment firms, but only if they are "too big to fail."
Under the newly amended rules of capitalism, corporations (especially in the financial sector) can scam, steal, and hustle virtually everyone, and when the economy falls, the government sails in and bails them out with public money!
Under a system such as this, capitalism can never lose. It's like a gambling casino, where the house rules change every half hour (or depending on who's winning and who's losing!)
But workers are losing.
Around the world, workers are facing lost jobs, vanished careers, foreclosed homes, and families broken and shattered against the grinding wheel of Capital.
This will be one hell of a May Day -- but it's the one that globalized capital has fashioned for us all.
Only if labor is truly globalized can it fight for and demand its fair share from the ravages of capitalism.
Let that be our mission for May Day -- and for tomorrow.
--(c) '09 maj
!*April 11 NY/Philly Emergency Mtgs. for Mumia!
Flag this message!*April 11 NY/Philly Emergency Mtgs. for Mumia!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 8:24 PM
From: "MUMIA ABU-JAMAL"
Add sender to ContactsTo: nattyreb@gmail.com
PAM AFRICA IS ASKING FOR ORGANIZERS EVERYWHERE TO HELP STRATEGIZE
TO SUPPORT MUMIA DURING THIS URGENT TIME, WE HAVE TO BUILD AND
STRENGTHEN THIS MOVEMENT IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE!!
via: nycjericho@gmail.com
======================
Emergency Meeting in Response to the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
On April 6, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Mumia Abu-Jamal's appeal for a new guilt-phase trial. The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to consider the Philadelphia DA's separate appeal, which is attempting to execute Abu-Jamal WITHOUT a new sentencing hearing. In response to yesterday's rejection, Abu-Jamal's lead attorney, Robert R. Bryan, will be filing a "petition for re-hearing" in the U.S. Supreme Court.
On Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., there will be an open strategy session to determine our next steps forward.
This isn’t the first time the Supreme Court chose not to look into this case. It’s quite obvious that they don’t want to look into the case because of its political implications. They clearly are holding fast to the rule that “the Black man has no rights which the white man is bound to respect.” We must not let them get away with it.
Since the highest court in the land didn’t even bother to explain why they turned down the case, it’s our job to analyze the situation and respond strategically and forcefully.
After the strategy meeting, we will watch the recently released documentary, "In Prison My Whole Life", shown at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and in the British Parliament this year. The film provides a comprehensive overview of the case and includes the recently released photos showing how Philadelphia police tampered with crime scene evidence. Dinner will be available for $5, and it will be served promptly at 6:00 p.m.
What: Open Meeting in Response to the Outrageous and Racist Ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court
When: Saturday, April 11, 2009, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Solidarity Center, 55 West 17th Street, 5th Floor
(btw. 5th & 6th Avenues)
Directions: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, or V to 14th Street
Sponsored by: Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC)
freemumia.com • 212-330-8029
--
Free All Political Prisoners!
nycjericho@gmail.com • www.jerichony.org
=======================
via: icffmaj@aol.com
EMERGENCY STRATEGIZING MEETING:
When: Saturday, April 11, 2009
10 am – 12 noon
Where: Abiding Truth Ministries Church, 5701 Washington, Ave. Philly
Contact: 215-476-8812 or ICFFMAJ@aol.com
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 8:24 PM
From: "MUMIA ABU-JAMAL"
Add sender to ContactsTo: nattyreb@gmail.com
PAM AFRICA IS ASKING FOR ORGANIZERS EVERYWHERE TO HELP STRATEGIZE
TO SUPPORT MUMIA DURING THIS URGENT TIME, WE HAVE TO BUILD AND
STRENGTHEN THIS MOVEMENT IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE!!
via: nycjericho@gmail.com
======================
Emergency Meeting in Response to the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
On April 6, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Mumia Abu-Jamal's appeal for a new guilt-phase trial. The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to consider the Philadelphia DA's separate appeal, which is attempting to execute Abu-Jamal WITHOUT a new sentencing hearing. In response to yesterday's rejection, Abu-Jamal's lead attorney, Robert R. Bryan, will be filing a "petition for re-hearing" in the U.S. Supreme Court.
On Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., there will be an open strategy session to determine our next steps forward.
This isn’t the first time the Supreme Court chose not to look into this case. It’s quite obvious that they don’t want to look into the case because of its political implications. They clearly are holding fast to the rule that “the Black man has no rights which the white man is bound to respect.” We must not let them get away with it.
Since the highest court in the land didn’t even bother to explain why they turned down the case, it’s our job to analyze the situation and respond strategically and forcefully.
After the strategy meeting, we will watch the recently released documentary, "In Prison My Whole Life", shown at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and in the British Parliament this year. The film provides a comprehensive overview of the case and includes the recently released photos showing how Philadelphia police tampered with crime scene evidence. Dinner will be available for $5, and it will be served promptly at 6:00 p.m.
What: Open Meeting in Response to the Outrageous and Racist Ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court
When: Saturday, April 11, 2009, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Solidarity Center, 55 West 17th Street, 5th Floor
(btw. 5th & 6th Avenues)
Directions: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, or V to 14th Street
Sponsored by: Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC)
freemumia.com • 212-330-8029
--
Free All Political Prisoners!
nycjericho@gmail.com • www.jerichony.org
=======================
via: icffmaj@aol.com
EMERGENCY STRATEGIZING MEETING:
When: Saturday, April 11, 2009
10 am – 12 noon
Where: Abiding Truth Ministries Church, 5701 Washington, Ave. Philly
Contact: 215-476-8812 or ICFFMAJ@aol.com
!*LA / Houston / Baltimore Programs for Mumia!
The Abolition Movement is sponsoring a "More Than Just a Book Party" to celebrate Mumia's birthday as well as his new book. It will be at S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, 3815 Live Oak in Houston's Third Ward from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Activists Ester King and Ray Hill will read from the new book and we will honor Texas writ writers Prince Imari Obadele, Bobby Mudd and Salvador Gonzales. There will be an update on Mumai's case as well as spoken word and cake and ice cream. For information, Abolition.Movement@hotmail.com or 713-503-2633.
In struggle,
Gloria
BALTIMORE
MUMIA ABU-JAMAL BIRTHDAY PARTY & BOOK RELEASE
"MORE THAN A BOOK PARTY"
Mumia writes: "This is the story of law learned, not in the ivory towers of multi-billion-dollar endowed universities but in the bowels of the slave-ship, in the hidden, dank dungeons of America ... It is law learned in a stew of bitterness, under the constant threat of violence, in places where millions of people live, buy millions of others wish to ignore or forget"
Let's use the opportunity of the publication of this brilliant and moving, vintage Mumia book to build the momentum for his case, to raise the money we desperately need in these challenging economic times, to get the word out – to produce literature, flyers, posters, videos, DVD's; to send organizers out to help build new chapters and strengthen old ones, TO GET THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREETS … all the work that we must do in order to FREE MUMIA as he faces LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE OR EXECUTION!
In the spirit of Mumia's book, we dedicate these "More Than a Book Party" events to the thousands and thousands of jailhouse lawyers who practice their craft in their own and their brothers' (and sisters') struggle for justice, against all odds and with the high risk of being subjected to the venom, punishment, and brutality of the prison system that is directed against them more than to any other sector of the prison population.
Featured Artists: Labtekwon, Chris
Speakers: Doc Cheatam -Baltimore Branch NAACP
Shanell Bryant -Baltimore Chapter INPDUM
Mike Stark -Campaign to End the Death Penalty
Max Obuszewski
Wendy Hess -Public Justice Center….AND MORE
$5 Donation---No one turned away for lack of funds
$10 for a copy of the new book “Jailhouse Lawyers”
April 24, 2009
7pm-11pm
Cork Factory Building
Cork Gallery
4th Floor Doorbell #9
302 E. Federal St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Sponsored by: International Concerned Friends and Family of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Baltimore Friends of MOVE, Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP, Baltimore Chapter of the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement, Soilciarity Center, Campaign to End the Death Penalty, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, Pulbic Justice Center
For More Information: (443) 850-2840 ameejill@hotmail.com
In struggle,
Gloria
BALTIMORE
MUMIA ABU-JAMAL BIRTHDAY PARTY & BOOK RELEASE
"MORE THAN A BOOK PARTY"
Mumia writes: "This is the story of law learned, not in the ivory towers of multi-billion-dollar endowed universities but in the bowels of the slave-ship, in the hidden, dank dungeons of America ... It is law learned in a stew of bitterness, under the constant threat of violence, in places where millions of people live, buy millions of others wish to ignore or forget"
Let's use the opportunity of the publication of this brilliant and moving, vintage Mumia book to build the momentum for his case, to raise the money we desperately need in these challenging economic times, to get the word out – to produce literature, flyers, posters, videos, DVD's; to send organizers out to help build new chapters and strengthen old ones, TO GET THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREETS … all the work that we must do in order to FREE MUMIA as he faces LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE OR EXECUTION!
In the spirit of Mumia's book, we dedicate these "More Than a Book Party" events to the thousands and thousands of jailhouse lawyers who practice their craft in their own and their brothers' (and sisters') struggle for justice, against all odds and with the high risk of being subjected to the venom, punishment, and brutality of the prison system that is directed against them more than to any other sector of the prison population.
Featured Artists: Labtekwon, Chris
Speakers: Doc Cheatam -Baltimore Branch NAACP
Shanell Bryant -Baltimore Chapter INPDUM
Mike Stark -Campaign to End the Death Penalty
Max Obuszewski
Wendy Hess -Public Justice Center….AND MORE
$5 Donation---No one turned away for lack of funds
$10 for a copy of the new book “Jailhouse Lawyers”
April 24, 2009
7pm-11pm
Cork Factory Building
Cork Gallery
4th Floor Doorbell #9
302 E. Federal St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Sponsored by: International Concerned Friends and Family of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Baltimore Friends of MOVE, Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP, Baltimore Chapter of the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement, Soilciarity Center, Campaign to End the Death Penalty, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, Pulbic Justice Center
For More Information: (443) 850-2840 ameejill@hotmail.com
!*4/18 Ramona Africa at Hamline Law School!
The NLG midwest regional conference & Hamline Law School's PRISON REFORM PROJECT present:
RAMONA AFRICA AT HAMLINE LAW SCHOOL: Speaking on the legal battle of the MOVE 9, the upcoming MOVE 9 parole hearings, the MOVE organization, Political Prisoners in America and the American Prison System.
LOCATION:
St. Paul, Minnesota – Saturday, April 18, 2009 – 1536 Hewitt Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104 (Hamline Law Building Rm. 105; Located off Pascal St, which intersects Hewitt Ave)
SOME BACKGROUND:
In 1978, when the police raided the MOVE home, the family fled into the basement of their home to avoid the attack, police attempted to flood them out with high-pressure hoses. During the attack, police officer James Ramp was killed by a single gunshot. Nine members of the MOVE family were charged with Ramp´s murder, and received 30-to-100-year sentences.
There is ample evidence that none of the nine was responsible for Ramp´s death. Even television and radio stations initially reported that Ramp was killed by “friendly fire’ from officers firing at the MOVE house. Police--clearly intent on killing MOVE members, including children, trapped inside--had fired over 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
But any evidence that could have supported the defense in the case was destroyed by Philadelphia police following orders from Mayor Frank Rizzo to bulldoze the house, leveling it within hours of the assault. Noted Philadelphia journalist Linn Washington described it as “the fastest destruction of a crime-scene site in history.’
MOVE “9” members Chuck, Debbie, Delbert, Eddie, Janet, Janine, Merle, Mike and Phil Africa were given the excessive sentences on May 4, 1980 by Judge Edward Malmed. When Malmed was a guest on a radio show a few days after the sentencing, journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal called in to ask him who killed Ramp. Malmed replied, “I haven´t the faintest idea.’ He said that since “they call themselves a family, I sentenced them as a family.’
In 1985, the police once again laid siege to the MOVE household. This time they dropped a C4 explosive on the building killing 11 MOVE members. Ramona Africa survived this assault. After surviving the bombing, she was charged with conspiracy, riot, and multiple counts of simple and aggravated assault. Subsequently Ramona served 7 years in prison. Since her release from prison, Ramona has tirelessly worked as the MOVE Minister of Communication on behalf of the MOVE 9, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and all political prisoners and prisoners of war.
WWW.ONAMOVE.COM
For more info on MOVE and to sign a petition calling for the MOVE 9's immediate parole visit:www.onamove.com
For info on this event or info on the PRISON REFORM PROJECT contact:
pmurphy06@hamline.edu
RAMONA AFRICA AT HAMLINE LAW SCHOOL: Speaking on the legal battle of the MOVE 9, the upcoming MOVE 9 parole hearings, the MOVE organization, Political Prisoners in America and the American Prison System.
LOCATION:
St. Paul, Minnesota – Saturday, April 18, 2009 – 1536 Hewitt Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104 (Hamline Law Building Rm. 105; Located off Pascal St, which intersects Hewitt Ave)
SOME BACKGROUND:
In 1978, when the police raided the MOVE home, the family fled into the basement of their home to avoid the attack, police attempted to flood them out with high-pressure hoses. During the attack, police officer James Ramp was killed by a single gunshot. Nine members of the MOVE family were charged with Ramp´s murder, and received 30-to-100-year sentences.
There is ample evidence that none of the nine was responsible for Ramp´s death. Even television and radio stations initially reported that Ramp was killed by “friendly fire’ from officers firing at the MOVE house. Police--clearly intent on killing MOVE members, including children, trapped inside--had fired over 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
But any evidence that could have supported the defense in the case was destroyed by Philadelphia police following orders from Mayor Frank Rizzo to bulldoze the house, leveling it within hours of the assault. Noted Philadelphia journalist Linn Washington described it as “the fastest destruction of a crime-scene site in history.’
MOVE “9” members Chuck, Debbie, Delbert, Eddie, Janet, Janine, Merle, Mike and Phil Africa were given the excessive sentences on May 4, 1980 by Judge Edward Malmed. When Malmed was a guest on a radio show a few days after the sentencing, journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal called in to ask him who killed Ramp. Malmed replied, “I haven´t the faintest idea.’ He said that since “they call themselves a family, I sentenced them as a family.’
In 1985, the police once again laid siege to the MOVE household. This time they dropped a C4 explosive on the building killing 11 MOVE members. Ramona Africa survived this assault. After surviving the bombing, she was charged with conspiracy, riot, and multiple counts of simple and aggravated assault. Subsequently Ramona served 7 years in prison. Since her release from prison, Ramona has tirelessly worked as the MOVE Minister of Communication on behalf of the MOVE 9, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and all political prisoners and prisoners of war.
WWW.ONAMOVE.COM
For more info on MOVE and to sign a petition calling for the MOVE 9's immediate parole visit:www.onamove.com
For info on this event or info on the PRISON REFORM PROJECT contact:
pmurphy06@hamline.edu
Beating Back Batson by Mumia Abu-Jamal
NOTE from Sis. Marpessa: Here's a link to excerpts of Ass't DA McMahon's training video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv9SJPa_dF8
Check that short piece out (57 secs), and then please re-read this piece Bro. Mumia wrote last year:
Beating Back Batson
[col. writ. 9/6/08] (c) '08 Mumia Abu-Jamal
For those who read court opinions, few can ignore the U.S. Supreme Court's 1986 Batson v. Kentucky decision.
Essentially, it prohibited the State from removing Black jurors for racial reasons. It re-wrote the rules from the Swain v. Alabama ( 1965) case, where the court required systematic discrimination over a number of cases, over a period of years. Needless to say, such a challenge was clearly beyond the resources of most people, and relatively few were made, and even fewer successful. It is hard to resist the suspicion that this was merely judicial lip service to a principle that was easily ignored, in the breach.
For, it took over a generation, over 20 years, for Swain to be overruled by Batson, and now, Batson is beginning to bear an eerie resemblance to its unworkable parentage, because courts have been loathe to grant relief, and have either created new rules, or simply ignored its dictates.
We see this at work recently in a number of cases, among them Com. v. (Robert) Cook, WL 284060 (July 24, 2008). In this case, the DA used 74% of his strikes to remove 14 Black jurors. Incredibly, the Phila. Court of Common Pleas initially found that even this didn't constitute a prima facie case of discrimination. Later, it found a prima facie case, but ruled that the DA put forth sufficient race-neutral reasons for exclusion, and therefore not a violation of Batson.
Recently, the PA Supreme Court agreed, even though the DA couldn't recall why he removed 2 Black jurors -- or, in other words, couldn't articulate a justification.
Now remember -- Batson states that the improper removal of one juror violates the constitution. One -- not 14.
But here's the kicker. The DA in Mr. Cook's case made a video training tape, where he taught his fellow prosecutors how to violateBatson - and how to lie about it to judges.
But perhaps the then prosecutor, Jack McMahon, didn't need to work that hard, for courts would take up the slack. For where the DA can't remember a reason, the court will invent one.
This is especially egregious in this case, for the man who wrote the opinion was the DA when McMahon made the tapes, but now sits as Chief Justice of the court. Can you spell 'conflict of interest?' Did he recuse himself? (What do you think?)
For over a decade, Pennsylvania courts have painted McMahon as the bad guy, a kind of rogue prosecutor, and most of his convictions have been reversed (except Cook's), but McMahon wasn't, and never should've been, the issue. For he was simply describing the pattern and practice of the office, and training his colleagues in techniques used over years of trials.
Mr. McMahon was putting into words what DAs did to get convictions. Does that mean his office sought a fair and impartial jury? In McMahon's words, " Well, that's ridiculous. You're not trying to get that." In fact, McMahon explained, their jobs were to get the most "unfair" jury possible. And, in many cases, that meant getting as few Blacks to serve on the jury as possible.
Batson is as empty as Swain was, for if they don't want to give it up, any reason will do.
They proclaim ideals of fairness that bear no relationship to the real process happening daily in courtrooms all across America.
That would be, to quote McMahon, "ridiculous."
-- (c) '08 maj
Supreme Court lets Mumia Abu-Jamal's conviction stand
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/ 04/06/mumia.supreme.court/
By Bill MearsCNN Supreme Court Producer
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has let stand the conviction of former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was sent to death row for gunning down a Philadelphia police officer 28 years ago.
He contends blacks were unfairly excluded from the jury, and has been an outspoken activist from behind bars.
The justices made their announcement Monday. A separate appeal over whether Abu-Jamal deserves a new sentencing hearing has not been taken up by the high court. Prosecutors are appealing a federal appeals court ruling in Abu-Jamal's favor last year on the sentencing issue.
The case has attracted international attention amid charges of prosecutorial misconduct and the inmate's outspoken personality. Abu-Jamal, a former radio reporter and cab driver has been a divisive figure, with many prominent supporters arguing that racism pervaded his trial. Others countered Abu-Jamal is using his skin color to escape responsibility for his actions. They say he has divided the community for years with his provocative writing and activism.
He was convicted for the December 9, 1981, murder of Officer Daniel Faulkner, 25, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Faulkner had pulled over Abu-Jamal's brother in a late-night traffic stop. Witnesses said Abu-Jamal, who was nearby, ran over and shot the policeman in the back and in the head.
Abu-Jamal, once known as Wesley Cook, was also wounded in the encounter and later confessed to the killing, according to other witnesses testimony.
Abu-Jamal is black and the police officer was white.Incarcerated for nearly three decades, Abu-Jamal has been an active critic of the criminal justice system.
On a Web site created by friends to promote the release this month of his new book, the prisoner-turned-author writes about his fight. "This is the story of law learned, not in the ivory towers of multi-billion dollar endowed universities but in the bowels of the slave-ship, in the hidden, dank dungeons of America."
His chief defense attorney, Robert Bryan, had urged the justices to grant a new criminal trial, but the high court offered no explanation for its refusal to intervene.
"The central issue in this case is racism in jury selection," Bryan wrote to supporters last month. Ten whites and two blacks made up the original jury panel that sentenced Abu-Jamal to death.
A three-judge panel of the 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals a year ago kept the murder conviction in place, but ordered a new capital sentencing hearing. That court ultimately concluded the jury was improperly instructed on how to weigh "mitigating factors" offered by the defense that might have kept Abu-Jamal off death row. Pennsylvania law at the time said jurors did not have to unanimously agree on a mitigating circumstance, such as the fact that Abu-Jamal had no prior criminal record.
Months before that ruling, oral arguments on the issue were contentious. Faulkner's widow and Abu-Jamal's brother attended, and demonstrations on both sides were held outside the courtroom in downtown Philadelphia.
Many prominent groups and individuals, including singer Harry Belafonte, the NAACP and the European Parliament, are cited on his Web site as supporters. Prosecutors have insisted Abu-Jamal pay the price for his crimes, and have aggressively resisted efforts to take him of death row for Faulkner's murder.
"This assassination has been made a circus by those people in the world and this city who believe falsely that Mumia Abu-Jamal is some kind of a folk hero," said Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham last year, when the federal appeals court upheld the conviction. "He is nothing short of an assassin."
By Bill MearsCNN Supreme Court Producer
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has let stand the conviction of former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was sent to death row for gunning down a Philadelphia police officer 28 years ago.
He contends blacks were unfairly excluded from the jury, and has been an outspoken activist from behind bars.
The justices made their announcement Monday. A separate appeal over whether Abu-Jamal deserves a new sentencing hearing has not been taken up by the high court. Prosecutors are appealing a federal appeals court ruling in Abu-Jamal's favor last year on the sentencing issue.
The case has attracted international attention amid charges of prosecutorial misconduct and the inmate's outspoken personality. Abu-Jamal, a former radio reporter and cab driver has been a divisive figure, with many prominent supporters arguing that racism pervaded his trial. Others countered Abu-Jamal is using his skin color to escape responsibility for his actions. They say he has divided the community for years with his provocative writing and activism.
He was convicted for the December 9, 1981, murder of Officer Daniel Faulkner, 25, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Faulkner had pulled over Abu-Jamal's brother in a late-night traffic stop. Witnesses said Abu-Jamal, who was nearby, ran over and shot the policeman in the back and in the head.
Abu-Jamal, once known as Wesley Cook, was also wounded in the encounter and later confessed to the killing, according to other witnesses testimony.
Abu-Jamal is black and the police officer was white.Incarcerated for nearly three decades, Abu-Jamal has been an active critic of the criminal justice system.
On a Web site created by friends to promote the release this month of his new book, the prisoner-turned-author writes about his fight. "This is the story of law learned, not in the ivory towers of multi-billion dollar endowed universities but in the bowels of the slave-ship, in the hidden, dank dungeons of America."
His chief defense attorney, Robert Bryan, had urged the justices to grant a new criminal trial, but the high court offered no explanation for its refusal to intervene.
"The central issue in this case is racism in jury selection," Bryan wrote to supporters last month. Ten whites and two blacks made up the original jury panel that sentenced Abu-Jamal to death.
A three-judge panel of the 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals a year ago kept the murder conviction in place, but ordered a new capital sentencing hearing. That court ultimately concluded the jury was improperly instructed on how to weigh "mitigating factors" offered by the defense that might have kept Abu-Jamal off death row. Pennsylvania law at the time said jurors did not have to unanimously agree on a mitigating circumstance, such as the fact that Abu-Jamal had no prior criminal record.
Months before that ruling, oral arguments on the issue were contentious. Faulkner's widow and Abu-Jamal's brother attended, and demonstrations on both sides were held outside the courtroom in downtown Philadelphia.
Many prominent groups and individuals, including singer Harry Belafonte, the NAACP and the European Parliament, are cited on his Web site as supporters. Prosecutors have insisted Abu-Jamal pay the price for his crimes, and have aggressively resisted efforts to take him of death row for Faulkner's murder.
"This assassination has been made a circus by those people in the world and this city who believe falsely that Mumia Abu-Jamal is some kind of a folk hero," said Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham last year, when the federal appeals court upheld the conviction. "He is nothing short of an assassin."
!*Mumia in Danger!...Hold April 29th!
On Wednesday Evening, April 29th2009
Come and Participate in an Emergency Community Forum and Book Party!
RACE MATTERS-THE DEATH PENALTY
& THE INCREDIBLE CASE
OF
MUMIA ABU-JAMAL!
And the Release of his latest book
“JAILHOUSE LAWYERS”
This event comes just after the US Supreme Court denies his attorneys’ appeal
while acknowledging the right of the prosecution to be heard on the reinstatement of his death sentence!
This event is a part of Int’l Freedom Week for Mumia
where actions are taking place around the world in support of Mumia
Investigative Reporter Hans Bennett who uncovered photos revealing
Philadelphia Police tampering with the crime scene
calls the Supreme Court decision a “terribly dark day for justice in the U.S.”
This special event will feature
Pam Africa-Intl Con. Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
Lawrence Hayes-Black Panther Party formerly on Death Row in New York State
Dr. Matthew Johnson-New Jerseyans For A Moratorium on The Death Penalty
& The Peoples Organization for Progress
Delacy Davis-Black Cops Against Police Brutality
DON’T MISS THIS EVENT!
Newark Public Library-4thFloor Auditorium
5 Washington Street, Newark
6-8pm/Free Admission
For more information, please call 201-602-0780
Sponsor-Frontline Artists
Other endorsing and cosponsoring organizations include
The Peoples Organization for Progress and The New Black Panther Partywith mumia's vicious kaptors putting out a rumor that mumia had been found dead in his cell, please treat this announcement annexed and below with the utmost seriousness...
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Ode to the Lions
Detroit is where they built that car named Christine
Despite that the Lions went 0 and 16
Before the season started, they ran out of steam
They weren’t good enough to beat a college team
The ’76 Buccaneers no longer dwell on the bottom
A much worse team, the ’08 Lions got-‘em
The Lions really stink and we all know
Can they go winless two seasons in a row?
The Detroit Lions, that team is dead
At Ford Field with paper bags on your heads
The Detroit Lions, the shame of the city
The NFL’s top loser, so have no pity
The Detroit Lions, they’re such an easy score
The other 31 teams, they pimp that whore
Let’s bash that team from Fawnskin to Scranton
On the first ballot send them losers to Canton.
-Aquil Aziz
Copyright © 2009
Despite that the Lions went 0 and 16
Before the season started, they ran out of steam
They weren’t good enough to beat a college team
The ’76 Buccaneers no longer dwell on the bottom
A much worse team, the ’08 Lions got-‘em
The Lions really stink and we all know
Can they go winless two seasons in a row?
The Detroit Lions, that team is dead
At Ford Field with paper bags on your heads
The Detroit Lions, the shame of the city
The NFL’s top loser, so have no pity
The Detroit Lions, they’re such an easy score
The other 31 teams, they pimp that whore
Let’s bash that team from Fawnskin to Scranton
On the first ballot send them losers to Canton.
-Aquil Aziz
Copyright © 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)