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On October 30, 1998, the Philadelphia Supreme Court discounted all evidence that Mumia Abu-Jamal did not receive a fair trial and denied his appeal for a new trial. Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Ridge is expected to sign a new death warrant for Mumia soon. Regardless of the overwhelming evidence that he is innocent, the State of Pennsylvania intends to execute Mumia Abu-Jamal.

The injustice in Mumia’s case has been more thoroughly exposed and gained more international attention than any other in recent history. If Pennsylvania succeeds in its efforts to kill Mumia Abu-Jamal, it will solidify the decision of Herrera v Collins and sanction future executions of individuals regardless of compelling evidence of innocence that emerges after the initial trial. In the current conservative political climate in which the prison population is growing and the rights of the accused are shrinking, the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal without a new trial will give states the ability to push through even more executions, and the majority of those killed will be poor and people of color. The execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal would mean that the racist killing of men of color by the state will continue unhindered.

Racism in the U.S. judicial system is not new, nor is it new that an African American man would be sentenced to death because of evidence fabricated by a corrupt police department. Death sentences are so linked to the race and class of a defendant that the ABA has called for a moratorium on the death penalty, and U.S. News and World Report (not exactly known for its progressive politics) recently ran a story addressing the unfair implementation of the death penalty. Mumia is not the only African- American man on death row because his defense was under funded and he did not receive a fair trial. But Mumia’s case effects the future of all other death row inmates, all people accused of crimes, and the lives of everyone living in the U.S.

Mumia Abu-Jamal is more than another innocent man on death row. Mumia is on death row because of his political activities and associations, and because of his persistent criticism and condemnation of the police. The Philadelphia police wanted Mumia’s silence and publicly attempted to intimidate him for asking questions regarding the arrest of the MOVE nine. The fraternal order of Police (who supported the election of five of the Philadelphia Supreme Court Justices who denied Mumia’s appeal on October 30) actively campaigns for Mumia’s execution. But in spite of being on death row and in defiance of attempts to remove him from the public eye, Mumia continues to threaten the maintenance of the current power structure in the U.S., publishing articles and books which expose and condemn the rampant racism and classism in the U.S. and of the U.S. government. Pennsylvania’s attempts to kill Mumia, and Mumia’s continued imprisonment signifies that in the United States, criticizing the government, fighting racist injustice, and challenging the status quo means forfeiting the right to a fair trial.

Mumia was tried and convicted of murder in a trial that has become internationally infamous for its blatant racism, bias, and injustice. The presiding judge, Judge Sabo, has the distinction of sending more people to death row than any other judge, and of having Philadelphia prosecutors declare that defendants could not get a fair trial in his courtroom. Finding himself underfunded and unprepared to defend Mumia, Mumia’s attorney asked to be removed from the case, but Sabo insisted that the attorney try the case anyway and denied a request to assign an additional attorney to aid in Mumia’s defense. The lack of preparation of his attorney caused key facts which indicate Mumia’s innocence to be left out of his trial.

Presented with false evidence, the predominantly white jury convicted Mumia of first degree murder, but it was evident that they were unsure whether Mumia had fired in self defense against the officer. In order to convince the jury to condemn Mumia to death, during the sentencing hearing the prosecution raised Mumia’s involvement with the Black Panther Party, a tactic since ruled to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Since his trial, new evidence has been discovered and witnesses have come forward to attest to Mumia’s innocence. An international movement condemning Mumia’s conviction has emerged.

Now, more than ever, as the State of Pennsylvania tries to push for Mumia’s execution, people need to step out and demand freedom for Mumia. On November 7, at a large emergency demonstration in Philadelphia, Leonard Weinglass, Mumia’s attorney, stressed that the legal front is only one arena in which the battle for Mumia is fought. The legal system does not exist in a vacuum and Mumia’s freedom depends on people letting their outrage at the denial of his appeal and against his continued imprisonment be known.

In 1995 Governor Ridge signed Mumia’s death warrant, but international agitation led the courts to issue a stay of execution. Fighting for Mumia’s freedom is about fighting for an end to state oppression and racism. Fighting for Mumia is about fighting for social justice and for basic human rights. Fighting for Mumia is about fighting the encroaching right-wing agenda. Fighting to free Mumia Abu-Jamal is about fighting for all of ort futures.

On Dec. 9, 1998, join International Concerned Family and Friends in a march from the FBI to the Supreme Court beginning at 3:00 pm to demand freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal. Attend the weekly meetings of International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal at de Place located at 404 H St., N.E. Do everything in your power, as an individual, and as part of a large social movement to free Mumia Abu-Jamal!

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