This is what I suspected, that no execution date has been sad. That is good news, let us learn from the posting of this false report. I had sent an e-mail earlier today to Michael Eisenscher asking for clarification and telling him of the dangers of spreading this kind of rumor without substantiation. (He had posted the claim about the August 17th execution date for mumia) I also posted a question on Pen-L yesterday asking for verification. The internet can easily be used to spread false rumors such as an imminent death sentence, the case of Mumia, or the false rumor a year ago, that Leonard Peltier, was about to be released. Besides reducing the credibility of the left, the seemingly false rumor about Mumia leads to the situation that were an actual death warrant signed, progressive people might hesitate to act on Mumia's behalf because they may think it is another false rumor. My suggestion is that if you are certain the source is legitimate by all means forward news such as a possible execution or news where immediate action is urgent. If, however, you don't know the source of important information, but have no reason to suspect it, pose it as a question for someone with more information to respond to. Do not post it as fact. Peter Bohmer On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, Paul Zarembka wrote: > > >FORWARDED MESSAGE > >===================== > > > >>Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >>Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 21:48:36 -0400 (EDT) > >>Subject: FALSE AND DANGEROUS REPORT OF DEATH WARRANT SIGNED FOR MUMIA > >> > >>ALERT ALERT ALERT > >> > >>The following e-mail has been circulating. THIS IS A FALSE RUMOR AND WE DO > >>NOT KNOW WHO STARTED IT. BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO MUMIA! No warrant has > >>been signed. Whoever is starting this rumor is not helping Mumia's case and > >>needs to stop. If you get any of this message please repond and tell the > >>sender that this is a FALSE AND DANGEROUS RUMOR. > >> > >>> From: Anna Weekes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Stop press! Stop press! Mumia > >>Abu Jamal sentenced to die in 2 > >>months time! Stop press! Stop press! > >>> Date: Saturday, June 14, 1997 01:22 > >>> > >>> Mumia Abu-Jamal's death warrant has been signed! He is sentenced to die > >>at > >>> 10pm on the 17th of August 1997. Mumia, who has been on Death Row for 15 > >>> years, had his execution stayed two years ago. Now Pennsylvania Governor, > >>> Tom Ridge, has said that he will die on the same day as his executionwould > >>> have taken place two years ago. > >>> > >>> Please comrades, let's get a campaign going quickly on this one! Let'sstop > >>> the fascist American government from murdering this writer and freedom > >>> fighter! > >>> > >>> P.S. I realise that many of you will know this already. If anyone outthere > >>> has an e-mail address where we can lodge our protests once more, please > >>> send it to me! Thanks! > > >
