BY GLOVA SCOTT AND HATTIE McCUTCHEON
PHILADELPHIA - Hundreds of supporters of death row
inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal rallied here September 11 and
demanded a new trial for the framed up activist. Judge
Albert Sabo issued a ruling September 15 rejecting the
appeal because Abu-Jamal "fails to prove by a
preponderance each and every claim presented to this
court."
The September 11 hearing was held in the "mob room," where an intimidating bullet-proof plexiglass wall separates the judge, lawyers, and Abu-Jamal from reporters and spectators. "They wish to convey that there's danger here," Abu-Jamal's attorney Leonard Weinglass said. "But the only danger, is the court refuses to disarm the police."
During two hours of summary arguments, lawyers for Abu-Jamal presented their case for a new trial. Weinglass noted that all of the prosecution witnesses interviewed at the scene originally testified to seeing a man flee the scene. It was only after making deals with the prosecution that several changed their orginal statements.
"We expected this," said attorney Rachel Wolkenstein about the ruling. "The judge gave numerous indications and statements during the course of the hearing that he was going to deny it."
The campaign by the cops and government officials against Abu-Jamal continues in this city. The newly formed chapter of the American Civil Liberities Union (ACLU) at Temple University has been a recent target. After planning to show a video on Abu-Jamal's case, leaders of the group were discouraged to go ahead by university administrators.
In an interview with the Militant, Chuck Williams, Vice President of the ACLU said he received final approval and encouragement from Arnold Boyd, the program coordinator to have the meeting. Later, Williams was summoned to a late night conference call with Dr. Valeda Walker, vice president of student affairs, and Rita Calicatt, associate director of student life. They said the program coordinator had overstepped his bounds in encouraging the meeting.
"I'm outraged," said Williams, "and will do everything in my power to see that this situation does not happen again."
Students organized an afternoon rally to protest the denial of their rights. Against the wishes of the university administration, they showed the video to about 20 students in the womens' studies department. A campaign was launched to win support for the democratic rights of all students to see the video of Mumia Abu- Jamal, and to read his book.
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), lodged a protest with the university over the assignment of Live From Death Row by Mumia Abu-Jamal in an entry level English class.
James Wheeler, FOP vice president said, "we understand about academic freedom and aren't trying to bully anyone, but we see this as very insensitive and a slap in the face of all police officers."
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Temple Provost James England explained to Richard Costello, president of the FOP, that he understood their position, but the instructor had the right to choose the books for her course. In response, Costello complained on a late night radio talk show that directing students to buy the book was "requiring people to finance the defense of a convicted killer of police officers, not to mention the open support by Temple University for the murder of police officers."