An inspiring visit with Mumia Abu-Jamal

By Monica Moorehead

Feb 9, 2012

Johanna Fernandez and Heidi Boghosian visit Mumia, Feb. 2. Photo: NLG

Political prisoner and revolutionary journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal was transferred Jan. 27 to general population in SCI-Mahanoy in Frackville, Pa. He had spent almost 30 years on Pennsylvania death row since he was convicted of first degree murder July 3, 1982, for the 1981 killing of a white police officer in Philadelphia. Mumia has proclaimed his innocence since his arrest on Dec. 9, 1981, which was followed by a sham of a trial. His state and federal appeals for a new trial to prove his innocence have been systematically denied by the courts. While on death row, none of his visitors could physically touch him, an unimaginable form of torture.

Only two days before a massive “Free Mumia” rally in Philadelphia on Dec. 9, his death sentence was overturned and replaced with life in prison with no parole. A few days later Mumia was transferred from death row at SCI-Greene to SCI Mahanoy where he should have been placed in general population. Instead he was subjected to the cruel conditions of solitary confinement or “the hole” for seven weeks. Only after supporters held a press conference on Jan. 26, before presenting more than 5,000 signatures demanding Mumia’s release into general population, was he reassigned there on Jan. 27.

Mumia’s supporters have vowed to keep organizing until he is finally liberated from prison. An Occupy the Justice Department protest in Washington, D.C.., to demand his freedom will take place on April 24, Mumia’s 58th birthday.

On Jan. 30, Mumia had his first contact visit with his spouse, Wadiya. On Feb. 2, Mumia had his second contact visit, this time with filmmaker and Educators for Mumia member Johanna Fernandez and National Lawyers Guild Executive Director Heidi Boghosian.

The following excerpts are from a stirring open letter to the movement written by Fernandez about the visit with Mumia: “Compared to the intense and focused conversations we had had with Mumia in a small, isolated visiting cell on Death Row, behind sterile plexiglass, this exchange was more relaxed and informal and more unpredictably interactive with the people around us … it was more human.

“When we entered, we immediately saw Mumia standing across the room. We walked toward each other, and he hugged both of us simultaneously. We were both stunned that he would embrace us so warmly and share his personal space so generously after so many years in isolation.

“As he said in his own words, ‘The only thing more drastically different than what I’m experiencing now would be freedom.’ The experience of breaking bread with our friend and comrade was emotional. We’re still taking it all in. The journey has been humbling and humanizing, and we are re-energized and re-inspired!!”

The entire letter

Comrades, Brothers and Sisters:

Heidi Boghosian and I just returned from a very moving visit with Mumia. We visited yesterday, Thursday, February 2. This was Mumia's second contact visit in over 30 years, since his transfer to General Population last Friday, Jan 27. His first contact visit was with his wife, Wadiya, on Monday, January 30.

Unlike our previous visits to Death Row at SCI Greene and to solitary confinement at SCI Mahanoy, our visit yesterday took place in a large visitor's area, amidst numerous circles of families and spouses who were visiting other inmates. Compared to the intense and focused conversations we had had with Mumia in a small, isolated visiting cell on Death Row, behind sterile plexiglass, this exchange was more relaxed and informal and more unpredictably interactive with the people around us...it was more human. There were so many scenes of affection around us, of children jumping on top of and pulling at their fathers, of entire families talking intimately around small tables, of couples sitting and quietly holding each other, and of girlfriends and wives stealing a forbidden kiss from the men they were there to visit (kisses are only allowed at the start and at the end of visits). These scenes were touching and beautiful, and markedly different from the images of prisoners presented to us by those in power. Our collective work could benefit greatly from these humane, intimate images.

When we entered, we immediately saw Mumia standing across the room. We walked toward each other and he hugged both of us simultaneously. We were both stunned that he would embrace us so warmly and share his personal space so generously after so many years in isolation.

He looked young, and we told him as much. He responded, "Black don't crack!" We laughed.

He talked to us about the newness of every step he has taken since his release to general population a week ago. So much of what we take for granted daily is new to him, from the microwave in the visiting room to the tremor he felt when, for the first time in 30 years, he kissed his wife. As he said in his own words, "the only thing more drastically different than what I'm experiencing now would be freedom." He also noted that everyone in the room was watching him.

The experience of breaking bread with our friend and comrade was emotional. It was wonderful to be able to talk and share grilled cheese sandwiches, apple danishes, cookies and hot chocolate from the visiting room vending machines.

One of the highlights of the visit came with the opportunity to take a photo. This was one of the first such opportunities for Mumia in decades, and we had a ball! Primping the hair, making sure that we didn't have food in our teeth, and nervously getting ready for the big photo moment was such a laugh! And Mumia was openly tickled by every second of it.

When the time came to leave, we all hugged and were promptly instructed to line up against the wall and walk out with the other visitors. As we were exiting the prison, one sister pulled us aside and told us that she couldn't stop singing Kelly Clarkson's line "some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this." She shared that she and her parents had followed Mumia's case since 1981 and that she was overjoyed that Mumia was alive and in general population despite Pennsylvania's bloodthirsty pursuit of his execution. We told her that on April 24 we were going to launch the fight that would win Mumia's release: that on that day we were going to Occupy the Justice Department in Washington DC. She told us that because she recently survived cancer she now believed in possibility, and that since Mumia was now in general population she could see how we could win. She sent us off with the line from Laverne and Shirley's theme song - "never heard the word impossible!"- gave us her number, and asked us to sign her up for the fight.

We're still taking it all in. The journey has been humbling and humanizing, and we are re-energized and re-inspired!!

In the words of City Lights editor, Greg Ruggiero:"

"Long Term Goal: End Mass Incarceration.

Short Term Goal: Free Mumia Abu-Jamal!"

--Johanna Fernandez