Writers join Forces to Support Mumia Abu-Jamal/ Initial Members of Writers for Mumia include Alice Walker, John Edgar Wideman, Leslie Feinberg, and Cornel West
April 1999
Dear Writer:
As part of the Millions for Mumia mobilization on April 24, journalists, poets, and book authors are organizing Writers for Mumia. Members are asked to sign their names, write, speak, organize events, and take action in defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
As you may know, Mumia is the author of Live from Death Row and a broadcast journalist known as the "Voice of the Voiceless," who in 1980 was president of the Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia. In 1981 Mumia, a former Black Panther, was framed for the murder of a white police officer in Philadelphia. All the evidence indicates that Mumia is innocent. Lawyers and supporters for Mumia revealed, for example, that witnesses were intimidated by the police and coerced into giving false testimony. As part of this unfair trial, the prosecution used Mumia’s political activism and his outspoken public opposition to racism, repression, and police brutality to smear him in order to obtain a conviction. Mumia was sentenced to death. For the last seventeen years he has been a political prisoner on Death Row. His last appeal to the State of Pennsylvania has been denied, despite the fact that witnesses who had been intimidated by the police have now come forward on his behalf. He could be executed within six months.
It is crucial that a groundswell of opposition be mobilized in a variety of communities all across this country and around the world to demand that the execution be stopped and a new trial granted where Mumia’s innocence can be conclusively shown. That’s where Writers for Mumia can play a vital role. While writers have rallied internationally to defend freedom of expression for Salamon Rushdie and Taslima Nasrim, it is critical at this point to defend one of our own. Mumia Abu-Jamal was given a lifetime membership in the National Writers Union when National Public Radio canceled his broadcasts from Death Row in 1993. Won’t you add your name to the growing list of writers dedicated to demanding justice and taking a stand in defense of Mumia’s right to free speech.
Money is urgently needed to promote every aspect of the April 24 mobilization and the continuing fight to win a new trial. Please give as generously as you can. Maybe you’d like to organize a reading in your area later this spring or even next fall and donate the proceeds to the mobilization. Let us know your plans. It’s vital that each of us do our part to build a mass movement to free Mumia. Together we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Alice Walker, John Edgar Wideman, Leslie Feinberg, Cornel West, S.E. Anderson, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Susan Elizabeth Davis, Molly Charboneau
Name
Address,
Phone/fax
__ Yes, I want to join Writers for Mumia.
__ Yes, I want to set up a reading for WFM in my area.
__ Yes, I want to hear about other Mumia activities in my area.
__ Here’s a donation to help with the work _____
Send to: Millions for Mumia,
39 W. 14th, #206,
NY, NY 10011.
212.633.6646
email: npcny@peoplescampaign.org.
Back to: Political Prisoners/ Mumia Reports/Press
Back to: Political Prisoners/Mumia Action Alerts
