Monday, January 21, 2008

MLK III Says Mumia and MOVE 9 Are Unjustly Incarcerated

Martin Luther King III Says Mumia Abu-Jamal and the MOVE 9 are Unjustly Incarcerated
From Philadelphia Indymedia
21 Jan 2008

My father's words that, "Freedom only comes through persistent agitation, through persistent rising up", were true in 1982 when Mumia Abu Jamal was unjustly convicted for the death of a Philadelphia policeman because he dared to use national air-waves to agitate for the rights of MOVE and for racial and economic justice. They are true today as we continue to fight for his freedom....We live in a society shrouded in hypocrisy, a nation that expects its children to abhor violence but takes every opportunity to promote the "might is right" philosophy....While we promote the notion throughout the world that America's system of justice in colorblind, we live with the reality that racism is inherent in every single facet of our criminal justice system....From the aerial bombing of MOVE to the unjust incarceration of MOVE members, Mumia Abu-Jamal and countless others; to the unjustified and unpunished killings and beatings of people of color; to the "blue mentality" pervading police forces across the country that rewards brutal behavior; to the increasing incidents of police abuse and harassment of even white Americans, we understand the need to continue and remain steadfast in our struggle for freedom. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s journey began in Montgomery with civil rights and ended in Memphis with human rights. SCLC's current support of human rights around the world is consistent with our support of the rights of MOVE.