Among the speakers were former New York mayor David Dinkins, Leonard Weinglass, lead lawyer for Abu-Jamal, Pam Africa of MOVE in Philadelphia, and actors Ossie Davis and Ed Asner. A group of youth marched on stage at one point, chanting and carrying banners calling for freedom for Abu-Jamal.

Some of them recounted fights at Antioch College in Ohio and Evergreen College in Washington State where students chose Mumia Abu-Jamal as their commencement speaker.

A large group of opponents of the U.S. Navy's bombing on Vieques, Puerto Rico, was present. They carried a colorful banner and handed out leaflets for a series of actions called "Puerto Rican Resistance Weekend," planned here May 19–21.

Across the street, a group of 70 off-duty New York cops and supporters counterprotested.

Mumia Abu-Jamal was framed up and convicted in 1982 of killing a Philadelphia police officer and sentenced to death. Cops who testified at his trial concocted a phony "confession" and a key witness who testified against him has since stated that she lied as a result of police coercion.

His supporters contend he did not get a fair trial and Abu-Jamal has asked for a new trial. Pennsylvania authorities were moving to execute him in 1995 but, thanks to international public pressure, he won an indefinite stay of execution 10 days before his scheduled death.

Abu-Jamal's attorneys have presented written arguments to federal district judge William Yohn for a new trial. Oral arguments will be heard soon in Philadelphia and supporters of Abu-Jamal's fight for justice are urged to be in the courtroom that day.

A Western Regional Mobilization in support of Abu-Jamal will be held in San Francisco May 13. The same day, Mothers Against Police Terror are holding a demonstration in Philadelphia.  
 
 
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