Due to events in Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and New York, the demonstration for Saturday (Sept. 15th, 2001) for Mumia Abu-Jamal has been cancelled. New letter writing campaign to judge dembe and mayor street
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We are anticipating some decision from judge dembe in the next few weeks. Either a ruling or a court date, either of which is going to be extremely important. When either one of these happens we will be mobilizing for another massive demonstration to pressure judge dembe to do right.
Currently we have begun a very important letter writing campaign to pressure judge dembe and Mayor Street to FREE MUMIA. As a result of this demo being canceled we need to work twice as hard to let judge dembe know that we will not back down. There will be a form letter put out soon but as of now please write a letter of your own and send it ASAP. Also, call daily or fax if possible and demand: a) that the Arnold Beverly confession be heard by the state courts, b) that an evidentiary hearing be held in the state courts to consider all of the evidence pointing to Mumia's innocence, 3) that Mumia be present at this hearing and at all legal proceedings in his case, 4) that Mumia be released from prison because of innocence. Judge pamela dembe: 1417 criminal justice center, 1301 filbert st. philadelphia pa 19107, Phone 215 683-7148 Fax 215 683-7150.
Several things have happened over the past few days that led to our decision to cancel this weekend's demonstration.
1) It is nearly impossible for people to travel: both across the country, and from places like New York, D.C., & Chicago where much of our support comes from.
2) There are serious questions about the security situation here in philadelphia. Yesterday two Philadelphia activists were holding a large sign over a bridge so that it would be visible from the interstate below. They were there for two hours before they were approached by any police, eventually three cars (black cars with tinted windows) full of federal ATF agents arrived and told them to leave. There was no incident and both of the activists are OK. However, the fact that the federal governments terrorism specialists were sent out to deal with two people not even protesting tells us that thousands of protesters will likely face a very serious police presence.
3) To add to this, there have been numerous attacks on both Arab and Muslim people and their businesses in the city. One woman was attacked by a group of men, and when she tried to report it she was told that it did not happen. The local talk radio is filled with remarks like "we need to do to them what we did to the Japs in world war 2" and "why don't they just send all the Arabs and Muslims to internment camps, that'll solve all these problems". Several businesses owned by people from the Middle East or even just with employees from the Middle East have had windows smashed.
4) The city was planning two major events for that same day, in that area, both of which have been canceled. There was set to be a festival of Florence, a celebration of all things Italian (focusing on the city of Florence) which would draw thousands of Italians and people who appreciate Italian culture. Also there was going to be a run for the youth. Ten thousand young people were coming in from all over the country to run from love park to the art museum. Both of these events have been canceled leaving the Center City area virtually abandoned. This is very dangerous because without people present to witness what is happening those already kill-crazed cops could do anything they want without anyone to witness it. International Concerned Family and Friends is not about to play games with people's lives so we have decided that this demonstration must be canceled.
International Action Center
39 West 14th Street, Room 206
New York, NY 10011
email: iacenter@action-mail.org
En Espanol: el_iac@yahoo.com
web: http://www.iacenter.org
CHECK OUT SITE http://www.mumia2000.org
phone: 212 633-6646
fax: 212 633-2889
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