Update from Mumia's Attorney

For the Dear Friends:

Since last spring we have been engaged on behalf of Mumia Abu-Jamal in briefing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Philadelphia. It is the most extensive I have seen in three decades of specializing in capital litigation. The pending issues concern the death penalty, racism that has permeated the proceedings for a quarter of the century, and prosecutorial and judicial abuse. They are of great constitutional significance. Last fall I was notified by the court that oral arguments would be scheduled for January, but that was later rescinded. At this time we have no indication as to when we will be permitted to orally argue the merits of the issues.

In November Mumia and I together sent letters to the Mayor of Paris and its Council. It was in response to an appalling letter sent to Paris by a few misguided politicians from the Philadelphia area. I wrote: "Their demand that the honorary citizenship of Mr. Abu-Jamal be revoked is an affront not only to the citizens of Paris, but is insulting to people around the globe who are opposed to the death penalty and human-rights abuses." Mumia's letter eloquently pointed out that "these people are merchants of death who wish to trick you into their campaign to not only kill my client, but also to wipe [his] name from the face of the earth. Their deal is but another lie, a devil's bargain that they are powerless to grant under any stretch of American or international law.

I am pleased to advise that the Mayor's office has responded in a most positive manner. In the great French tradition of championing human rights, the December 5 response to me said:

The Mayor of Paris has received your letter concerning the situation of your client, Mumia ABU-JAMAL and thank you.

As mentioned in your mail, some representatives of the city of Philadelphia have recently wished to express their disapproval toward the decision of the Paris City Council to have selected in December 2001, Mumia ABU-JAMAL as "honorary citizen of the City of Paris".

Though the denunciation by these representatives is concentrated on the Cities of Paris and of Saint Denis, nobody ignores that many other Cities in France, in the United states and in the world, have shown their support to Mumia ABU-JAMAL.

We have established that the arrival of this Delegation in France, announced for end of November, has simply never taken place.

It is clear that the city of Paris stays mobilized in this fight and wish to affirm with force its (engagement) commitment in order that the capital punishment shall one day disappear of the planet.

I will be grateful for you to transmit this information to your client and assure him of the support of the City of Paris of which he is honorary citizen.

The original letter from Paris is available at http://www.freemumia.com/pdfs/2006DE1.PDF.

We will keep you informed as there are further developments in the case.

With best wishes,

Robert
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Robert R. Bryan
Law Offices of Robert R. Bryan
2088 Union Street, Suite 4
San Francisco, California 94123

Lead counsel for Mumia Abu-Jamal

Support the Publicity Campaign to Name A Harlem Street in Honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal

Like Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Joe Doherty of Ireland, former political prisoners who have streets named after them in New York already, Mumia has contributed to world events and struggles such as opposing wars in Iraq, Africa and Central America, speaking out for housing, jobs, health care, including HIV-AIDS, against police brutality and for community control. On death row, Mumia has published five books (Live from Death Row, All Things Censored, Death Blossoms, On a Move, We Want Freedom: A Life in the Black Panther Party) and weekly commentaries.

Since 1976, 123 people have been freed from death row. Being on death row does not necessarily mean that you are guilty. In protest of the reactionary and racist nature of his trial and sentencing, Mumia was awarded honorary citizenship in Paris, France and has a street named after him in nearby St. Denis. If Europe can address U.S. death penalty injustice, why can't we?

The Free Mumia Abu Jamal Coalition (NYC) is building the campaign to honor Mumia with a street in Harlem, as a way of bringing awareness of his case to the greater public so that he can win his release. We would like to give this cause a boost with television ads which cost $50 per time slot (after production to air on BET and TV 9. Please consider what you can do to help.

Get more information at our website, www.freemumia.com.

Please download the donation form at:
http://www.freemumia.com/pdfs/newform.pdf

Mumia's Son, Jamal Hart, Needs York Help!

From Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC)

Mumia's son, Jamal Hart, has been in prison for ten years now under highly questionable circumstances, to say the least. He is asking for our support at this stage of his case, and we urge everyone to write letters of support to the authorities as indicated in Jamal's letter. Monique Code is his main support person and organizer. His relationship to Mumia is definitely part of this picture. Ona Move!
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Habeas Corpus Appeal Filed
Free Jamal Hart!

On December 20, Jamal Hart filed a habeas corpus petition in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania that could set the stage for his release from prison. Hart, son of death row political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, was sentenced in 1998 to 15 1/2 years on bogus firearms possession charges, framed up for his prominent activism in the campaign to free his father. Although Hart was initially charged under Pennsylvania laws, which would have meant a probationary sentence, Clinton's Justice Department intervened to have him thrown into prison under federal laws.

In a January 15 letter to the Partisan Defense Committee, Hart, who was recently transferred to the federal penitentiary at Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, explained, "The state of Pennsylvania labeled me as an armed career criminal due to 3 felony charges I was convicted of. However, after thorough research by prison officials here at FCI Schuylkill, it has been revealed that an assault conviction I was accused of in 1995 DOES NOT EXIST and should not have counted in the first place. Due to this blatant miscarriage of justice, I should have been sentenced to the original sentence range of 6 years 5 months to 8 years instead of the dreadful 15 years to life."

From the outset, the PDC has condemned the prosecution of Jamal Hart as a racist political frame-up. Hart should never have spent one day in jail. He has already been locked up for eight years. If Hart's habeas corpus petition is granted, it would mean a reduction of his sentence, and he would finally be released for time served. Hart has requested that letters be sent to the court demanding that his petition be granted and that he be released.

Write to: Judge Edwin M. Kosik, U.S. District Court, 235 N. Washington Ave., P.O. Box 1148, Scranton, PA 18501. Free Jamal Hart now!

(reprinted from Workers Vanguard No. 884, 19 January 2007)
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Greetings Comrades!

Before I begin, let me say that I am graciously humbled in receiving your support within my plight for liberation. I firmly stand in total
solidarity with all of you to overcome this injustice placed against the wrongly convicted political prisoners and freedom fighters. These
biased injustices must be banished by the people who resist our oppressors. The Death Penalty should be abolished as well for all its
racist uses on the poor and misfortunate, specifically against Africans living in America.

There are many comrades such as you who have, throughout this unlawful sentence I am currently serving, taken the needed time and effort to
communicate with me through writing letters, visits, sending commissary money, etc. Always know that your efforts are not unnoticed and it is greatly appreciated. It's because of you that I continue to resist this mendacious legal system that continuously targets innocent people who attempt to politically educate the masses on fascism and oppression. I humbly thank all of you for reaching out to me. Your solidarity is not taken lightly. I am a true believer that an injury to one is an injury to all. My comrades, the struggle continues!

This current correspondence will bring you up to speed in the current events regarding my case.

At this time, my case is being presided by Judge Edwin M. Kosik in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. It is a habeas corpus petition on the unlawful restraint on my liberation from the unlawful custody here at FCI Schuylkill in Minersville, Pennsylvania. The Warden's name is Ronald Holts.

The state of Pennsylvania labeled me as an armed career criminal due to 3 felony charges I was convicted of. However, after thorough research by prison officials here at FCI Schuylkill, it has been revealed that an assault conviction I was accused of in 1995 DOES NOT EXIST and should not have counted in the first place. Due to this blatant miscarriage of justice, I should have been sentenced to the original sentence range of 6 years 5 months to 8 years instead of the dreadful 15 years to life.

I am humbly requesting all of you to please take time out of your busy schedules and write a letter to the Honorable Judge Edwin M. Kosik to
order the immediate release of Jamal Hart from unlawful custody.

The information to contact Judge Kosik is as follows:

Clerk's Office
c/o Honorable Judge Edwin M. Kosik
United States District Court
235 N. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 1148
Scranton, PA 18501
Judge's Chambers: (570) 207-5730

I am confident and convinced that you, the people, will ultimately
free me and so many others being held unjustly. You have the power to
expose the overt injustice that has lead to my unlawful imprisonment
for the past 10 years. The courts will move on this ONLY if you write
and/or call demanding my immediate release NOW!

For more details on this situation, please contact the Partisan Defense Committee at 212-406-4252.

I thank you kindly for your assistance in this important matter.

In Solidarity,

Mr. Jamal Hart
(received via e-mail from Monique Code, 15 January 2007)

The FOP Targets Political Prisoners

February 17
5-8pm AT THE brecht forum
451 west street
(Between Bank and Bethune Streets)

On Saturday, February 17, New York Friends of MOVE and the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC) will be hosting an interactive forum on the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and its active role in the targeting of U.S. Political Prisoners. The program will include a panel discussion, Q and A, and a short video. Panelists include:

-Pam Africa of the ICFFMAJ-
-Michael Africa Jr. of the MOVE Organization-
-Suzanne Ross of the FMAJC NYC-
-Herman Ferguson, former Political Prisoner-
-Paulette d'Auteuil of Jericho NY-

AN INTRODUCTION WILL BE GIVEN BY RAMONA AFRICA,
MINISTER OF INFORMATION FOR THE MOVE ORGANIZATION

-ADMISSION IS A SUGGESTED DONATION OF $6
-FOOD WILL BE SERVED
-POLITICAL PRISONER MERCHANDISE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

Download the flyer

Why Naming Streets for Mumia Makes the Powers Rage

Introduction By Michael Schiffmann

In October 2003, Mumia was made an Honorary Citizen of Paris, with luminaries such as his lawyer Robert R. Bryan, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe and ex-political prisoner Angela Davis present. Abu-Jamal activists Julia Wright, Pam Africa and Suzanne Ross, as well as many others, also attended. In April 2006, a new street leading to the biggest sports stadion in Europe, the Nelson Mandela Stadion, was named after Mumia Abu-Jamal in the Parisian suburb of Saint Denis. All of this led to a furious campaign on the part of those bent on having Abu-Jamal executed to have these honors revoked. The Mumia support movement answered by a new campaign to name a street in New York's Harlem after Abu-Jamal.

Here is what Princeton University theologist Mark Taylor has to say on the matter.


Why Naming Streets for Mumia Makes the Powers Rage
By Mark Lewis Taylor

Outrage over the French city of St.-Denis, for naming a street after Mumia Abu-Jamal, has poured forth from the City Council of Philadelphia , from some in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, and, of course, from the Fraternal Order of Police. The Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution condemning St.-Denis's action. PA representatives in the U.S. House followed suit with a similar resolution.

Why have authorities in Philly and the U.S. gone ballistic over a suburb in Paris that names a street after Mumia?

This is all the more interesting a question because the outrage has not helped the movement to execute Mumia. In fact, it has reignited the steady advocacy of human rights groups and people of conscience worldwide who have not gone away, who will not allow Mumia's life to be taken. It has forced the press to lift Mumia's struggle back into the public eye.

Official rage has prompted some new and unfounded claims about Mumia and the death of Philadelphia officer, Dan Faulkner. Officials are exposed as all the more clouded by an unreasoning rage. The resolution in the U.S. House, for example, suggests that Mumia struck Officer Faulkner "four times" in the back before shooting him. Not even the prosecutors against Mumia claimed at trial that such an action transpired.

Mumia's accusers now stand exposed in their rage. And just what now is exposed? The answer is this: there is a drive to execute Mumia that runs roughshod over evidence and facts, and that will invent any new "fact" that officials think will help rationalize Mumia's execution. The killing rage is exposed as the unreasoning rage it has been since Mumia's apprehension in 1981.

But how did naming a street in France unleash this rage of Pennsylvania powers? We do well to understand the reasons.

My interpretation is that when citizens of St.-Denis inscribed Mumia's name onto a street sign, they helped pull Mumia out of his cell, setting him loose, as it were, into the valued, everyday existence of people of their municipality. To be sure, Mumia is still in Waynesberg, PA ; not yet greeting his friends in St.-Denis (dare we dream!). Mumia's accusers have always had success when they can cordon him off, deny him presence everywhere save that 8 x 10 cell in a far west corner of PA. In so doing, they seek to put him outside the daily to-and-fro of everyday life, make him less a human being by removing him from our memory, from our thoughts. Hence he becomes "other," demonizable, executable.

But comes now St.-Denis. All of a sudden there's a street sign with Mumia's name on it. It names a thoroughfare. People see the name, they know he must be important if the street bearing his name is
also the place where many walk each day. The powers rage because they cannot stand that. They cannot tolerate Mumia's name and life having
reference outside his 8 x 10 cell, being a name that directs part of the daily flow, part of people's routine coming and going, their
meaningful life and work.

There's a lesson here for those of us in the movement for Mumia. We should inscribe Mumia's name in all the places where we have common interchange and habitation. True, many have already done this. You'll find Mumia's name carved in wet cement, in telephone poles, on walls of prisons and streets throughout the land, in the organizations
of campus, labor and more.

But I'm thinking of a still more challenging way to inscribe his name. Let us make his name a commonplace in the transactions and dealings we all have – at work, at home, in church, at whatever club or society we frequent. A street-naming does that kind of work.

It is of course true that our movement work, our participation in rallies for Mumia, are crucial; but just as important, if not more so, are the ways we talk-up Mumia, inscribing his name, into our everyday places of life and labor.

It has been a baseline truth for Educators for Mumia Abu-Jamal that we must etch Mumia's name into our teaching, our writing and our reading. We regard him as an educator. He is a teacher. He is a colleague in education and writing. And so when we write and publish, especially on criminal (in)justice in the , or about a wide array of human rights and justice issues in this country, we should reference Mumia's name, his writings, his struggle. When we inscribe his name in the academic literature, we post his name on the signposts of the academic thoroughfares. We let him live outside that cell where Mumia's accusers would like to keep him, and from which they hope some day to take him to death, in hopes of erasing his name, repressing his insights.

We do this not to make Mumia "poster boy" of anti-death penalty struggle or of justice work in the U.S., but because he has routinely exposed the struggles of so many others in similar situations, beyond his case. It is this that has made him the special target of officials who don't want systemic injustice addressed.

People in Harlem want to name a street for Mumia. I say let's support it. It will make the powers rage even more, to have a street named for Mumia right here in the U.S. But remember, when the powers rage, they show their addiction to hiding evidence, their inventiveness of new lies, and so they undermine their case and help us build ours.

Let's help the powers rage some more. Now, I wonder if there's a way to get a street here in Princeton named for Mumia.