International Day of Mobilization to Free Mumia

April 24 is the date of the International Day of Mobilization for the liberation of Mumia, sentenced to death in 1982.

Who is Mumia?

Mumia Abu-Jamal, whose real name is Wesley Cook, was born on April 24, 1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up there with his brother William. They attend local public schools. In 1968, Wesley received the African name of “Mumia” (Prince) while he was in high school. At that time, he had a teacher of Kenyan origin who taught African cultures. Mumia was the name of an anti-colonial Kenyan African nationalist who fought against the British before Kenya’s independence.

His “Black Panthers” journey

In 1968, still a teenager, he tried to disrupt a rally for the candidate George Wallace, he was beaten by white racists and the BPP excluded him. He participated in the formation of the BPP branch in Philadelphia and became “Information Lieutenant”, responsible for news writing and communications. The next 2 years, after leaving college, he lived in New York and Oakland. During this period, the FBI begins to monitor him. He resumed his studies and returned to Philadelphia.

Journalist career

From 1975 to 1981 he worked as a radio journalist. He started at WRTI Temple University and then for business ventures. He began in 1975 at the QUOI radio station and then hosted a weekly show on WCAU-FM in 1978.

Much appreciated, he is the winner of several awards. He is nicknamed “The Voice of the Voiceless” for his criticism of the police and local political leaders.

From 1979 to 1981, he worked at WHYY, a subsidiary of National Public Radio (NPR). The management asks him to resign, criticizing him for his non-objectivity in his presentation of the news.

In 1981, he covered the trial of members of “MOVE” (Christian Movement for Life), convicted of the murder of police officer James Ramp. Founder John Africa is acquitted of charges made against him. . He interviews Julius Erving, Bob Marley and Alex Haley and becomes president of the Association of Black Journalists of Philadelphia.

From 1981, he worked as a night taxi in Philadelphia to supplement his earnings as a part-time reporter for WDAS. He then joined an African-American-oriented, minority-owned radio station.

Death of Officer Faulkner

On December 9, 1981, Mumia dropped off a client in the southern part of town. An altercation breaks out, Officer Faulkner dies from a bullet to the back and head. Seriously injured in the abdomen, the police arrest him and take him to the hospital for treatment.

During his trial, he denies any involvement and denounces an unfair investigation without ballistic expertise, or fingerprints, tests not carried out … Due to threatened, bribed or dismissed witnesses, contradictory police reports, Judge Sabo ( record holder of death sentences) condemns him. Ed Rendell calls for the death penalty on July 3, 1982.

Execution reports

Interventions by human rights associations and strong mobilisations twice prevent execution (in 1995 and 1999).

William Cook, brother of Mumia, testifies in 1999 under oath. He was with Kenneth Freeman (died 1995) on the night of Faulkner’s assault and he participated in the plot to kill him. He added that Mumia had not shot Faulkner. Additionally, Arnold Beverly claimed that he and an anonymous assailant, not Mumia Abu-Jamal, shot Daniel Faulkner in a contract murder. Faulkner interfered with corruption and the payment of corrupt police. Despite these depositions, the appeal is dismissed.

In December 2001, his lawyers obtained the suspension of his death sentence. Mumia remains on “death row”. Despite the petitions filed, the Court still considers him guilty and still faces the death penalty.

After numerous appeals (2003, 2008, 2009, 2010), the prosecution accepts in 2011, a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. The following year ends, the Pennsylvania justice system puts an end to any new procedure and prohibits a new possibility of possible release.

Mumia and disease

In 2016, following hepatitis, Mumia fell into a diabetic coma and was close to death. The prison administration refuses to treat him. It will take the intervention of justice and international pressure for him to receive treatment. The following year, his defense asked for a review of the 1982 trial following new jurisprudence which prohibited a magistrate from intervening in the same case. In 2018, he obtained the right to appeal his conviction. After 38 years of proceedings, he requests in 2019, the review of his trial and his release.

This year, his health has worsened due to Covid-19 and calls for his release are increasing around the world.

Gatherings for the liberation of Mumia

In the United States and almost everywhere else, we are witnessing the emergence of support groups, as in France in 1995. The latter brings together more than a hundred organizations and public authorities. in the big French cities, a gathering takes place every first Wednesday of the month. In Paris, it has been at Place de la Concorde in Paris, near the American Embassy, ​​for 25 years. On April 7, the prefect of police canceled the meeting at the last moment for health reasons.

April 24, Mumia’s birthday, has become the international day of mobilization for the liberation of Mumia. This year, a delegation tabled a motion at the US Embassy in Paris. The signatories appealed to the authorities in Pennsylvania. They demand a little humanity from this man so seriously ill that his very life is in danger.

Consequences of mobilizations

This global mobilization allowed his wife Wadiya and Pam Africa (historic spokesperson for support for Mumia in Philadelphia) to finally be able to get in touch with him.

Once again hospitalized for a week, the heart operation scheduled for April 15 was postponed until Monday, April 19 without further clarification on his condition from the prison and medical authorities. His personal doctor was unable to speak to his patient and the unavoidable issue of his release is again brought up to date. He could thus benefit from care, which neither the prison enclosure, nor the hospital under the supervision of the prison administration, can guarantee him.

Today, the goal of this mobilization (in the United States, in Paris, New York, London or Mexico and of course in Philadelphia, etc.) is to obtain the release of Mumia.

Social media call

The idea is to send a postcard to Mumia for his 67 years with the following message: “TOGETHER WE LIBERATE MUMIA / TOGETHER WE WILL FREE MUMIA” sign with your LAST NAME / FIRST NAME / CITY or VILLAGE / FRANCE at the centralized address support for Mumia in the United States: [email protected]

Recommendations

• Write in French or English
• Make no reference to the questioning of the prison administration and the American authorities.
• Place the card in a white envelope without forgetting to mention name and address on the back
• Postage it (€ 1.50 up to 20 g).
• Send mail to the following address:
• Smart Communications PADOC
• Mumia Abu-Jamal AM-8335
  SCI Mahanoy
  PO Box 33028
  St Petersburg, FL 33733 (USA)

However, the Administration may not forward the mail to Mumia or return it.

This approach constitutes a means of pressure on the American authorities and of protection for him.

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