“Amnesty International has determined that numerous aspects of this case clearly failed to meet minimum international standards safeguarding the fairness of legal proceedings.”–Amnesty International [1]
“Do you see law and order? There is nothing but disorder, and instead of law there is only the illusion of security. It is an illusion because it is built on a long history of injustices: racism, criminality, and the enslavement and genocide of millions. Many people say it is insane to resist the system, but actually, it is insane not to.”-Mumia Abu Jamal [2]
Mumia Abu-Jamal has spent more than half his life behind prison bars.
In 1982, he was charged and convicted on the charge of murder in the first degree over the shooting death of Philadelphia Police officer Daniel Faulkner.
At the time of his arrest Mumia Abu-Jamal was a supporter of the revolutionary MOVE organization, a former member of the Black Panther Party and a dissident radio journalist covering stories of police corruption and repression of people in the African-American community. He was president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Black Journalists. His uncompromising approach to reporting cost him work for mainstream news organizations, and taking on free-lance work, supplementing his income by driving a taxi cab. [3][4]
It is widely speculated that his fearless and uncompromising journalism and truth-telling was a little too inconvenient for certain entrenched interests, providing a motive to eliminate him.
There is overwhelming evidence of irregularities in the legal proceedings which convicted Mumia. Further, it appears that police and legal officials may have conspired to frame Mumia for the murder. [5][6][7]
The apparent injustice of Mumia’s incarceration and condemnation to death inspired legions of supporters around the world to rise up and lobby on his behalf. A partial victory was finally realized on December 7, 2011 when Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced he would no longer seek the death penalty for Abu-Jamal. His sentence was subsequently reduced to life with no possibility of parole. [8]
Currently, Mumia’s life is in jeopardy due to the effects of a Hepatitis-C infection believed to have been contracted from a blood transfusion he received after being shot during the ’81 encounter with Officer Faulkner. [9]
Mumia’s supporters, citing Mumia’s personal physician and esteemed medical authorities claim that the Philadelphia Department of Corrections (DOC) is deliberately withholding treatments for Hep-C from him and other prisoners suffering from the same malady. As of August of 2015, a lawsuit has been filed against the DOC demanding damages, injunctive relief and a declaration of unconstitutional denial of medical treatment in Mumia’s case. [10]
As these current events unfold, the Global Research News Hour attempts to shine a spotlight on Mumia’s situation with two guests.
Suzanne Ross is a clinical psychologist, a long-time anti-imperialist activist and representative of International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal. She breaks down the particulars of Mumia’s case from the time of his initial arrest and sentencing to the current fight for his life.
Glen Ford is executive editor of Black Agenda Report, an on-line resource detailing news and analysis from the black left. Ford places Mumia’s case in the context of a history of repression of the African-American population going back to the days of slavery. Ford explains how this repression escalated into a full-blown counter-insurgency starting in the late sixties, which includes the elimination of prominent black leaders like Martin Luther King, and the mass incarceration of blacks.
Listeners wishing to involve themselves in the struggle to Free Mumia are encouraged to review the following on-line resources:
Guest Suzanne Ross encourages Mumia’s supporters to contact Governor Tom Wolf at (717) 728-4109 to demand Mumia’s release, and the treatment that could save his life.
“The governor is not the worst. He actually signed a moratorium on the death penalty…in the face of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Republican Party and many other people being opposed to it, so he has some courage, some principles….continuing to focus on him, I think is strategic….to get those messages from around the world, I think is important.” – (Suzanne Ross from this week’s interview)
Please be advised that in New York City, on Monday January 25, Suzanne Ross along with fellow supporter Pam Africa and attorney Bob Boyle will be presenting a ‘report back’ to the community on Mumia’s current situation and next steps. This event will start at 6:30pm local time at the historic Riverside Church (91 Claremont Avenue).
Burnaby Radio Station CJSF out of Simon Fraser University. 90.1FM to most of Greater Vancouver, from Langley to Point Grey and from the North Shore to the US Border. It is also available on 93.9 FM cable in the communities of SFU, Burnaby, New Westminister, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey and Delta, in British Columbia Canada. – Tune in every Saturday at 6am.
Notes:
USA: A Life in the Balance – The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal; Amnesty International, February, 2000, p.38; https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr51/001/2000/en/
Mumia Abu Jamal, 1996, p.11, “Death Blossoms: Reflections from a Prisoner of Conscience” from South End Press
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article.
