Vol. 76/No. 1      January 2, 2012

Abu-Jamal, an African-American journalist, local political activist and former Black Panther Party member was framed up and convicted in 1982 for fatally shooting city cop Daniel Faulkner in December 1981. The trial was rife with evidence and jury tampering, witness exclusion, police intimidation, racist prejudice and political malice.

Last April the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit unanimously ruled his death sentence unconstitutional. This decision upheld the court’s 2008 ruling that the judge’s penalty instructions “misled” the jury into believing there was no alternative to execution.

Abu-Jamal was moved from solitary confinement in Green County’s state “supermax” prison to medium-security Mahanoy state prison.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund is working on motions for a new trial, seeking to overturn Abu-Jamal’s conviction.

Since his arrest Abu-Jamal has gained support worldwide. His struggle has been a key battle in the fight to end the death penalty.

“Free Mumia Abu-Jamal! and Honor Troy Davis!” was the theme for a Dec. 9 evening program organized by the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal at the National Constitution Center here.

Abu-Jamal spoke to the gathering by phone, expressing thanks for all the support.

In a video message from South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu called for “immediate release” of Abu-Jamal.

An engine-roaring motorcycle gang outside associated with the Fraternal Order of Police failed to disrupt the meeting.

“What got this victory was the mobilizations and pressure around the world,” Pam Africa, the sponsoring organization’s chairperson, said on a panel the following day.
 
 
Related articles:
Bourgeois ‘diversity,’ imprisonment: 2 sides of coin
Martina Davis-Correia: fighter against death sentence
Greetings to workers behind bars  
 
 
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