On his birthday, supporters of journalist and political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal are demanding his release. Abu-Jamal has been imprisoned since 1981 when he was convicted for killing a police officer. His trial was defined by false evidence, witness intimidation by police, and a racist judge who used the n-word. Before his arrest, Mumia had been involved in the Black Panthers and was once president of the Philly chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Since his incarceration an international movement has sprung up to demand his release, while the Fraternal Order of Police has fought to keep him imprisoned. In 2001, his death sentenced was overturned and commuted to life without parole. According to Amnesty International, his court case did not meet the minimum international standards for a fair trial.