URGENT: MUMIA NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW!

URGENT: MUMIA NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW!

ALERT: MUMIA ABU-JAMAL'S HEALTH REMAINS ALARMING

The following is excerpted from a Sept. 10, 2003 statement by the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal about the political prisoner's health condition.

PRISON HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE

Pam Africa and a delegation of French human rights activists visited Mumia at SCI Greene prison on Sept. 8 and saw Mumia's ankle, which is still very visibly swollen and darkened.

Although the swelling has gone down somewhat, the condition is still alarming in appearance and its cause is still a mystery and is an example of the inhumane conditions that prisoners are forced to endure, with little way to seek help, and with no international movement supporting them.

Doctors who have been consulted but who have not met with Mumia say that the condition could be anything from gout to a diabetic condition, but it is impossible to be certain without a personal visit, which has still has not been okayed by the prison doctors. They caution that it could indeed be blood clotting.

We have also been hearing widespread reports of similar swollen and painful ankles among other prisoners who are kept in dehumanizing solitary confinement conditions.

Once again, note that Mumia's condition should be considered very serious and we must take all actions to ensure that he gets proper medical attention.

The worldwide response to our previous calls for action has been an outpouring of phone calls and faxes which have hit the prison and elected officials. Penn. State Rep. Harold James reported receiving 200 faxes in a single day.

Please continue to call the prison and demand that their doctors give permission to allow Mumia visits by a doctor of his choice, and that he be able to receive raw garlic to help combat the swelling.

SCI Greene prison phone: (724) 852-2902. During the day, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ask for Superintendent Folino. During the night, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. ask for Captain Hall. If gone during late night, ask for current Shift Director.

Please also continue to send the garlic to the prison as a symbolic protest to: Mumia Abu-Jamal, SCI Greene, 169 Progress Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370.

A MESSAGE FROM INTERNATIONAL CONCERNED FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

August 21, 2003-- It is with great concern that we report to you that Mumia has developed a potentially serious health condition affecting his feet, which have swollen painfully, making him unable to walk. Mumia suspects it may be due to blood clotting, a situation which can be very dangerous.

Health conditions are serious matters for prisoners, and blood clotting can be fatal. Please flood the prison's phone lines and demand that Mumia's requests be met: that he be allowed to be examined by an outside doctor of his choice, and that he be given fresh garlic immediately to boost his body's natural defenses.

ICFFMAJ has been informed by the prison that Mumia can only be examined by a prison doctor, not one of his own choosing, and that his request for fresh garlic cannot be granted because they don't have any in the prison. SCI Greene prison: (724) 852-2902

During the Day from 8:00am to 5:00pm, ask for Superintendent Folino

During the Night, 5:00pm to 8:00am ask for Captain Hall. If gone during late night, ask for current Shift Director.

Mumia Needs Help: Contact These Officials

In light of Mumia's health condition, please also contact these elected officials who are supportive of Mumia and ask that they put pressure on SCI Greene Prison and demand that Mumia's minimum requests be met: that he be allowed to be examined by an outside doctor of his choice, and that he be given fresh garlic immediately to boost his body's natural defenses.

Remind them that even simple health conditions can turn serious in prison conditions, and that sickness brought about by incarceration is one of the leading killers of prisoners. Mumia's condition should be considered very serious until proven otherwise. If the swelling of his feet is indeed being caused by blood clotting, this is potentially life threatening situation.

Remember Merle Africa, who died in prison under very suspicious circumstances following what should have been a mild illness. Merle surely would not have passed on had she not been enduring prison conditions after years of unjust incarceration, making her death little more than murder at the hands of her captors.

Senator Vincent Hughes: hughes@dem.pasen.gov

Representative Harold James: 215-462-3308 www.hallwatch.org/profiles/pahouse/hjames/faxbank/writeletter

Congressman Chaka Fattah: Go to e-mail form going to http://www.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep and typing in 4601 Market, Phila, PA 19143-4616 to get to email form.