All Out in Philadelphia May 11 - 13, 2001 for the FREE MUMIA ENCAMPMENT
For over a year we have been waiting for Federal Judge William Yohn to grant a hearing on Mumia's petition for habeas corpus. However, in light of Yohn's recent rulings denying the admission of amicus briefs filed on Mumia's behalf, and refusing to allow the inclusion of a petition regarding the denial of Mumia's right to have John Africa serve as co-counsel, it is obvious that we can't sit around waiting for Judge Yohn to make a ruling. We also need to keep in mind that Yohn does not even have to grant Mumia's request for habeas relief.
While we'll organize everyone to be in Philadelphia when and if Mumia appears in Yohn's court on his habeas petitions, in the meantime let's put our bet on sure things and concentrate on keeping the mass movement to free Mumia vibrant and visible in Philadelphia and around the world.
We need to be building Free Mumia brigades to raise his case at the anti-FTAA protests in Quebec and at the border crossings April 20-21. We need to be focusing on outreach to the community and raising awareness at our schools and campuses. And we need to be organizing the biggest presence possible in Philadelphia during the weekend of May 11 - 13 for the Free Mumia Encampment.
Sometimes we go to big demonstrations, get off the bus early in the morning and then get back on at the end of the day to go home. But sometimes, we can go to a big protest and bring a sleeping bag or a tent or a pillow and lots of food and water and stay there over night. Several nights. Weeks. Months.
This tactic goes by many names. You can call it an encampment. You can call it an occupation. You can call it a vigil. You can call it a sit-in. But whatever you call it, it is the same thing. People staying to make a point.
So why not stay in Philadelphia on the weekend of May 12 for a few days, and set up something like a camp?
Why not camp right in front of City Hall, starting on Friday May 11 through Saturday May 12 and into Sunday, May 13? Think of the message we can send to the Philadelphia establishment. Do you want to disregard our movement? You want to underestimate us? Dismiss us? You question our resolve, our determination to do what is necessary to win this struggle? What we are suggesting to do that weekend is just a little taste of what we are prepared to do to free Mumia.
Join students, youth and activists of all ages and backgrounds as the residents of Camp Free Mumia in Philly from May 11-May 13. The purpose of Free Mumia Encampment is to draw attention to Mumia's case and to keep the pressure on the system to let our brother go. We will camp out in Philly the second weekend in May to let the government, the courts, the cops and the power brokers there know that the whole world is watching. We will live in Philly for a few days to remind the powers that be that people are prepared to do whatever is required to free Mumia. May 13, 2001 is also the 16th anniversary of the government's bombing of the MOVE house in Philadelphia that resulted in murder of 11 men, women and children.
Mumia was one of the few journalists in Philadelphia to cover the city's attacks on the MOVE organization in the late 1970's that resulted in the arrests and life imprisonment of the MOVE 9, and this is one of the reasons the powers tried to silence him in 1982. The May 11 - 13 Encampment provides the opportunity to demonstrate that our outrage over this city's continuous attacks against the MOVE organization and it's leaders is not a thing of the past, and that support for MOVE is alive and growing.
Camp Free Mumia opens on Fri. evening May 11. The camp will be open Friday night, all day and night Sat., May 12, into the late afternoon of Sunday May 13. The location of Camp Free Mumia is in front of City Hall. On May 12, activists and supporters around the country and around the world will be marching and demonstrating to free Mumia. Camp Free Mumia in inspired by a long tradition of encampments organized by struggling people all over the world. Recently, the Zapatista's and their supporters organized a massive encampment in Mexico City, as part of their march from Chiapas to the capital.
Activities at the encampment will include guest speakers, discussion groups, workshops, music and a major demonstration on Sat., May 12. Participants will have a chance to meet and live with activists from many different places. Come for two nights, or one night, or come on May 12 to participate in the demonstration planned for that afternoon at City Hall.
Those staying overnight should bring a sleeping bag, a few blankets, some warm clothes and food. Food will be available at the camp for all who need it. There will be portable johns, a medical staff and volunteers prepared to deal with many needs. If you plan to bring children, or if you have special needs, call 212-633-6646, 215-476-5416 or 215-724-1618. If you want to bring a tent, please call.
Come to the first Philadelphia area organizing meeting for the Encampment on Wednesday, April 11, at 7pm at the ICFFMAJ office at 4601 Market Street (on North 46th St.) 5th floor and share your ideas and questions about the encampment.
CAMP FREE MUMIA! May 11-13 Philly: Sign Up Online for Boston Transp NOW!
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ARE YOU JOINING CAMP FREE MUMIA?Details: Join CAMP FREE MUMIA May 11-13 2001 in Philadelphia
ORGANIZERS NEEDED FOR MAY 11-13 CAMP FREE MUMIA
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