Statement by Mumia Abu-Jamal about "20/20" program
I watched with growing, mounting outrage as the ABC News program, 20/20 performed a carefully edited piece of deadly propaganda designed to secure my murder at the hands of the state. The same 20/20 presumably comes from the measurement for perfect vision; but, if the 20/20 program on my case is any indication, perhaps it should be called 20/200 , for surely they are virtually blind in one eye.
Using police, POP and prosecution sources, they were able to paint a picture that screamed for death, while screaming so-called "facts" that were unbelievable!
They, 20/20 never truly wanted my interview, for it would have spoiled their carefully crafted package; they went through the motions, wrote a few letters and hemmed and hawed about getting a camera in. Does that sound like one of the most powerful networks in America? Instead, OUR lawyers,--with extremely limited resources, fought in court for the opening of these hellholes to cameras—they STILL are fighting. 20/20 criticized a coroner’s report where the .44 caliber is written, by saying the medical examiner wasn’t an expert—ignoring the fact that the very same court did qualify him as an expert!
20/20 (or better 20/200) had two objectives—to present the state’s briefing by so doing, to damp down popular support for a new trial; time will tell if they were successful—but let me say this loud and clear—I am innocent of the crime of murder; yesterday, today and still tomorrow.
ABC has proven itself a worthy subsidiary of the Disney chain—with their Mickey Mouse presentation they have transformed truth into cartoonish fiction.
The NABET strikers, battling for simple, humane health coverage have quite a battle ahead of them against the bosses; but, I’d rather be on their side than the side of the millionaires any day of the week—I urge you all to support them.
Finally, any suggestion that any of our people have threatened people is a damnable and dangerous lie. Our people have been beaten from San Francisco tgo Minneapolis, from Philadelphia to Chicago—not "threatened"—beaten, locked up, and hurled into jail, for daring to demonstrate, for wearing a T-shirt, for singing a slogan for freedom—but, conveniently, 20/200 didn’t see that; obeying the whims of these corporate masters, they are bent on destroying a popular movement for life, for FREEDOM, for justice! Will you let them? I’ll continue do do my part. I hope you’ll do yours.
Ona MOVE! llJA![Long Live John Africa!]
© 1998 Mumia Abu-Jamal All Rights Reserved