PARIS CEREMONY HONORS MUMIA

PARIS CEREMONY HONORS MUMIA

By Monica Moorehead

On Oct. 4, 2003, death-row political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal was made an honorary citizen of Paris during an award ceremony in the French capital. Former U.S. political prisoner and social activist Angela Davis accepted the award on behalf of Abu-Jamal, who has been on Pennsylvania's death row for over 21 years.

The last time the city of Paris bestowed such an award was back in 1971. The recipient then was the legendary artist Pablo Picasso.

The socialist mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, characterized the death penalty as "barbaric" and went on to say that "as long as there is a place on this planet where one can be killed in the name of the community, we haven't finished our work." (French Press Agency, Oct. 4) He raised his fist in the air and chanted, "Mumia is a Parisian!"

Upon receiving the award, Davis tied Abu-Jamal's case to the struggle against both the occupation of Iraq and the racist attacks on immigrants.

Abu-Jamal is regarded worldwide as the most well-known political prisoner on death row. In December 1981 he was falsely accused of the shooting death of a white Philadelphia police officer. Another person has come forward to claim responsibility for the death of Officer Daniel Faulkner. Both the federal and state appeals courts have to this day refused to hear this significant testimony that should have led to Abu- Jamal's freedom.

France abolished the death penalty in 1981. Throughout its school system, students are required to study the case of Abu-Jamal.