31 Dec 1999

From: ICFFMAJ DC Chapter freemumiadc@hotmail.com

The march in support of Mumia on December 11, 1999,  in Philadelphia was a big success, drawing from 500-700 people, with representation from a broad range of supporters, including strong black and Latino contingents. Marchers went into the inner city neighborhoods to inform citizens about Mumia, and to tour places where Black Panthers worked in the 1970’s, and where Rizzo’s cops strip-searched, beat, and arrested members of the Black Panther Party in those years.

To briefly recap Mumia’s present legal situation (this is probably old news to most of you), on October 26 of this year, he was provided a stay of execution on the death warrant which Governor Tom Ridge had signed on October 13. This stay will last for the time that it takes for the federal district judge, Judge William Yohn, to review Mumia’s habeas corpus petition. This is a document over 160 pages long itemizing the manipulation of justice which occurred at Mumia’s 1982 trial, including denying his right to represent himself, coercion of key witnesses, suppression of evidence, and other actions. The habeas corpus review is likely to last from four to six months, at which time another death warrant is, unfortunately, very possible.

It is very important that Mumia’s supporters write Judge Yohn to request that he review the case afresh, without relying in any way on Judge Sabo’s verdicts or opinions. A new look at the case will, by definition, require that the Judge consider the evidence brought forward in the 1995 and 1996 PCRA hearings proving that the 1982 trial was significantly manipulated. The decision as to whether or not to grant Mumia an evidentiary hearing, as well as the impartial review of his case that he deserves, is completely at Judge Yohn’s discretion. If Yohn decides against a hearing, all future appeals will be based only on the facts that Sabo admitted. If you haven’t already done so, please take the time to write to Judge Yohn to demand that he grant Mumia a hearing, and review the entire case afresh. The judge has specifically ruled that all such letters be sent in care of Mumia’s attorney. Send them to:

Judge William Yohn, Jr.
C/o Leonard Weinglass, Esq.
6 West 20^th Street, #10A
New York, NY 10011

On January 12, 2000, a high-level delegation is coming from Europe to take a petition to the White House demanding that the Department of Justice open a federal investigation into Mumia’s case. It is a very good sign that they have been granted an audience at the White House. The delegates will include international labor officials, including Patrick Mkezi of South Africa’s Azanias Workers’ Union, and members of the European Parliament, including Jeremy Corbin, a British M.P., and Georges Hague of the French Parliament. They will be joined by some American labor representatives, as yet unspecified. The delegates have already raised over 250,000 signatures in favor of the investigation, and expect to have considerably more by the time that they arrive. All local supporters are encouraged to come to welcome the delegation. We will gather in front of the White House (Lafayette Square side) on the morning of January 12 between 10 and 10:30 a.m. Please encourage your friends and associates to come so that we can welcome them with as large a group as possible.

Governor Tom Ridge will be in Washington on January 27 to receive a State Arts Leadership Award at the Mayors Arts Gala, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. We will gather to protest - our view is that he doesn’t deserve this award because of his poor record on Mumia’s case. More specifics on this demonstration will be provided soon.

An "Emergency National Conference to Save Mumia Abu-Jamal" has been scheduled to take place in New York City on Saturday, February 19 at the Synod Hall of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The objective is for supporters to come together and develop a unified strategy to maximize public pressure for a fair trial. At this juncture, the conference will probably consist of a series of workshops geared to key areas of organizing such as: legal, religious, youth mobilization, media, labor, etc. The intent is to prepare a coordinated plan for each type of activity. Everyone is welcome and people who want to participate can respond to: Emergency National Conference to Save Mumia Abu-Jamal, c/o Center for Constitutional Rights, 666 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-2317. A corresponding email address is: npcny@peoplescampaign.org. (You can also e-mail other support organizations, including Family and Friends and Refuse and Resist, and they will respond and forward it to the coordinators in New York).

On February 28, 2000 there will be a large rally in support of Mumia in front of the Supreme Court. A civil disobedience action is planned, as well as a legal rally. Several high-level speakers have been invited, including officials in the Catholic Church, and others. If you would like to join those risking arrest to show support for Mumia, call Kim Lamberty or Paul Magno at (202) 722-1911, or send a return e-mail to Family and Friends. We are in need of funds to organize and carry out this action locally and would appreciate any donations you can make. Checks can be made out to ICFFMAJ-DC and mailed to P.O. Box 1907, Washington, D.C. 20013.

International Concerned Family and Friends will meet next on Tuesday, January 4 at De Place, 404 H Street N.E., at 6:30 p.m. We will be finalizing preparations for the January 12 gathering in front of the White House.

We hear Mumia’s freedom bells in the holiday chimes this season, and see him free in the year 2000.

Sincerely yours,
Sabrina Green
Allison Cook
ICFFMAJ