Philly March Demands Mumia Abu-Jamal Be Freed From Prison
Philadelphia, PA – After 40 years of incarceration, the movement to free Mumia Abu-Jamal continues. Hundreds gathered with a giant Mumia puppet outside Philadelphia’s City Hall near the statue of Octavius V. Catto before marching through streets south of Center City on December 11, 2021.
Unicorn Riot was live for the rally and march:
Mumia, a journalist and radio newscaster for National Public Radio in the 1970s, was sentenced to death after being convicted of killing Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. The movement that supports him has long seen him as a leading example of a political prisoner punished for supporting Black liberation in the United States, and a symbol of a racist system. He’s always claimed his innocence, and since his incarceration began, the mass movement has continued pushing for the government to release him from prison. Even though his death sentence was overturned in 2001, he was commuted to a life sentence without parole in 2011.
As speakers on the march explained, some supporters believe a new trial could clear him, but the review of his conviction has languished in higher courts. District Attorney Larry Krasner and his team found six boxes of documents that the defense never received. Although Krasner is known as more of a reformer than his corrupted predecessor Rufus Seth Williams, Krasner’s reluctance to push for review of this case drew an investigation from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
“Mumia was unjustly incarcerated because he’s a Black revolutionary & he stood up for Black people’s rights in America & he’s being imprisoned to keep his voice away from the people. We’re calling for Mumia’s freedom.” – #LIVE from #Philly‘s #FreeMumia > https://t.co/nFeI6sXpui < pic.twitter.com/cLUFLIwKPT
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) December 11, 2021
A few of the speakers at the December 11 rally included Pam Africa (MOVE), Gabriel Bryant, Rev. Keith Collins, Suzanne Ross, Jacky Hortaut (from France), and Cindy Lou.
During the march, Pam Africa spoke to Unicorn Riot about organizing for Mumia’s freedom since day one. She said just because he’s not free doesn’t mean the movement is weak. “We’re not without, we are with. We’re not 40 years weaker, we’re 40 years strong.“
“I’ve seen generations & generations of young folks come…do what you honestly can do. If you need to step back a minute, step back.”
Mama Pam Africa spoke to Unicorn Riot about organizing. [Clip 2 of 2]
Watch full interview & #FreeMumia march here: https://t.co/nFeI6sXpui pic.twitter.com/osf8AaeOJw
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) December 11, 2021
Mumia has had a myriad of health issues lately and has not received the greatest care while in prison. Besides contracting COVID-19 in prison, Mumia is struggling against hepatitis and trying to recover from recent open heart surgery.
Steve, one of the speakers and participants in the demonstration, came all the way from France with his friend to show solidarity to Mumia—he has been organizing demonstrations in France at locations like the U.S. Embassy for years. During the march, Steve shared with Unicorn Riot their recent experience visiting Mumia in prison. Steve said that Mumia was smiling behind his mask and in good spirits and also writing again.
Steve, from France, recently visited Mumia Abu-Jamal in prison. Mumia has faced some severe health issues but Steve said Mumia’s in “great shape” right now & has his strength back & is writing again. https://t.co/temLXOw7vI
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) December 11, 2021
Unicorn Riot also streamed a similar rally in Philadelphia in April 2021.
Supporters maintain websites about the effort to free Mumia, including FreeMumia.com, BringMumiaHome.com, and the French site, Libérons Mumia!
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