Mumia Must Live!
BM Haven
London
WC1N 3XX
e-mail mumia@callnetuk.com
www.mumia.callnetuk.com/home/mumia
29th September 1999
Dear friends,
Mumia's next battle …
You may be aware of the plight of radical black journalist, community activist and revolutionary prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. Mumia has languished on death row for 17 years, convicted of the murder of Philadelphia policeman Daniel Faulkner in December 1981.
Despite highly questionable prosecution evidence, witness intimidation and an ongoing campaign by the right-wing Fraternal Order of Policemen to execute Mumia (of which the trial judge, Albert Sabo, was a member); Mumia has continually been denied the opportunity for a retrial.
In 1995 international action in support of Mumia led to a last minute reprieve, days away from his death warrant being signed by the Pennsylvania State Governor Tom Ridge.
At the end of October last year, the current phase of Mumia's fight for an appeal for a retrial started. In London at this time, a small group of activists came together to work on campaigning for Mumia in the capital. Mumia Must Live! is a coalition open to all who support the fight to free Mumia and abolish the racist death penalty. We aim to be part of a huge wave of international protest, freeing Mumia and making this a focus for a broad struggle against the barbarous use of legalised murder - the death penalty. In other countries, similar groups came together to protest at the racist US legal system and the blatantly political nature of Mumia's conviction.
The story so far
Activities so far have included public meetings, picketing the American embassy and several high profile American businesses, flypostering and stickering, holding information stalls, fundraising concerts and regular interventions at other events. Outside of London a number of public meetings, benefits and an action at the American Express offices in Manchester have taken place. The largest demonstrations so far took place on April 24th, Mumia's birthday - ten's of thousands of people in both Philadelphia and San Francisco marched for Mumia.
Legal latest
Mumia filed a petition for a "writ of certiorari" at the end of April - under which he stated his case for a retrial. The Supreme Court recessed over the summer and proceedings will commence again early October. Indeed, Mumia has to file his petition for "habeas corpus" by the end of October because of the one-year deadline set by the Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. Basically, Mumia's next battle in the courts starts in October 1999.
Medical alert
Mumia's health has deteriorated in the last few months. His ankles and shins have massively swollen which could be a sign of diabetes, a heart problem or even gangrene. Mumia is in need of immediate outside medical attention, but has so far been refused.
In London, Mumia Must Live! are gearing up to move the campaign forward and will be stepping up activities and awareness raising events. We continue to receive requests for information from individuals across the country, many of whom express interest with linking up with others in their area.
Join the campaign - become a contact
This is why we would like to invite your group or organisation to become a local contact for Mumia Must Live! There are many, many ways in which you can support Mumia; from writing a letter of support to Mumia and writing to the prison authorities to demand a retrial to handing out leaflets, putting up stickers and posters or even holding a public meeting in your area - we can provide a speaker if you need one. If you feel you can, why not organise fundraising events or actions in support of Mumia? Mumia Must Live! can provide campaign materials including several videos about Mumia's case and conviction. In turn your group's name will be added to the list of organisations already supporting Mumia and your contact details listed in all future publicity. We will also pass on details of individuals in your area interested in getting involved.
Emergency Response Network
We are setting up an action response network. We will be monitoring the progress of the case daily and will activate the list if the death warrant is signed. We will be calling for action on the Saturday following the signing. If you are unable to travel to London, then please think of ways in which you can publicise Mumia's plight in your own area. Depending on which day of the week the warrant is signed, we may contact you / your group directly to keep you updated. Otherwise the details are as follows :
On the Saturday following the signing of the death warrant, meet at Trafalgar Square, London at 2pm. Information and redirection details will be available only from here. Please complete and return the slip as soon as possible to enable us to make plans in advance.
The next stage could be Mumia's last opportunity to state his reasons for a retrial. If he is refused, Mumia will be killed by lethal injection. It was international protests which secured Mumia a stay of execution in 1995. Now, only a similar show of worldwide solidarity can save Mumia. Help to build a campaign in Britain to free Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Yours in solidarity,
Dermot
for Mumia Must Live!
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Please add my details to the emergency response network and let me know as soon as the death warrant is signed
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Please return to : Mumia Must Live!, BM Haven, London WC1N 3XX