-------------------------
Via Workers World News Service
Reprinted from the July 27, 2000
issue of Workers World newspaper
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`MAKE BUSH PAY FOR KILLING SANKOFA": DEATH -PENALTY
FOES TO MARCH ON PHILLY'S "WALL STREET"
By Greg Butterfield
Fighters against the death penalty have called for a march
on Philadelphia's financial district Aug. 2. Their demands
are "Avenge Shaka, free Mumia," "Fight back against police
terror" and "Shut down capitalism."
Hundreds of protests and meetings are planned before and
during the July 31-Aug. 4 Republican National Convention in
Philadelphia. That's where Texas Gov. George W. Bush will
receive the Republican nomination for president.
Anti-racist activists say the Aug. 2 action is one of the
most important.
"The ruling class, George Bush and all the politicians who
support the death machine want to close the book on the
case of Shaka Sankofa (Gary Graham)," said Larry Holmes of
Millions for Mumia/International Action Center, the group
that initiated the protest.
"They want everyone to forget that there was a Black
revolutionary executed in Texas, and that he was innocent.
"But we won't let Shaka be forgotten," Holmes said. "The
fight for justice for Shaka is the same as the fight for
Mumia Abu-Jamal and all the sisters and brothers on death
row."
Philadelphia is the hometown of Black freedom fighter Abu-
Jamal, who is on death row. Supporters maintain he is a
political prisoner who was framed for the 1981 killing of a
police officer.
The Aug. 2 demonstration will gather at 15th and Market
streets at noon and march to the Stock Exchange in Center
City.
By targeting the area called "Philadelphia's Wall Street,"
protesters want to expose how big business profits from
police terror, prison labor and the death penalty.
"The expansion of private prisons is considered by many
experts to be the most profitable industry in the U.S.
today," says a call to action by the IAC. The group names
American Express, Microsoft and Salomon Smith Barney as
examples of monopolies that "profit off prison sweatshops."
The IAC asserts that "the prison-industrial complex cannot
be separated from the killing machine called death row.
"The decision [to kill Sankofa] was voiced by the reigning
Republican governor of Texas, arch-racist George Bush. But
Bush was merely echoing the concerns of the bankers and
corporate CEOs he represents.
"Al Gore or Bill Gates could just as well have been the
executioner.
"What young people and working people really need is to
build a movement against this system--against capitalism--
because it's beyond reform."
`NOT ONE MORE LYNCHING!'
Millions for Mumia/IAC, International Concerned Family &
Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Texas Death Penalty
Abolition Movement have also called for a "Not one more
lynching" contingent at the big Unity 2000 rally and march
on July 30.
The contingent will raise the cases of Sankofa, Abu-Jamal
and police brutality victim Thomas Jones.
"When scores of Philadelphia cops were captured on
videotape beating and nearly lynching Thomas Jones July 12,
it served as a vivid reminder that police brutality and
murder are not rare occurrences," said Holmes. "This is a
system of institutionalized racism and violence.
"Shaka Sankofa, Mumia Abu-Jamal and Thomas Jones are
connected," Holmes said. "They are all victims of racist
police terror, which is nothing more than the extension of
lynch law and Jim Crow."
No one knows exactly how the police will react to the
convention demonstrations now that the world has seen the
brutal beating of Jones.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Timoney and Mayor
John Street are scrambling to control the bad publicity.
They know the whole world will be watching to see how the
cops handle protesters at the convention.
But earlier threats to arrest demonstrators still stand.
Holmesburg Prison, a century-old dungeon, will be reopened
to hold protesters.
The only permits have been given to two protests scheduled
for the weekend before the convention.
Protesters say they'll take to the streets no matter what.
Thousands of youths, community activists and union members
are expected to take part in the activities.
Imani Henry, a coordinator of Rainbow Flags for Mumia,
said, "All across the country, Rainbow Flags had
contingents in lesbian, gay, bi and trans pride marches to
build for the protests at the Republican and Democratic
conventions.
"We're calling on lesbian, gay, bi and trans people to
come join the `No more lynchings' contingent at Unity
2000," he said. "And our members are organizing other
communities to join in as well."
Buses are planned in several East Coast cities for those
who want to join the anti-death-penalty group on July 30.
In New York, buses leave at 7 a.m. from the International
Action Center at 39 W. 14 St. Call (212) 633-6646 to
reserve a seat. Tickets cost $20; $15 for people on fixed
income.
For transportation from the Baltimore/Washington area,
call (410) 235-7040. For Boston and Providence, R.I., call
(617) 522-6626. In Buffalo, N.Y., call (716) 855-3055.
KEY ACTIONS
Listed below are some of the actions that Millions for
Mumia/IAC and other revolutionary and anti-racist groups
are focusing on. Readers who want to march with the IAC
should look for the Shaka/Mumia signs and banners.
Times and locations of some events are subject to change.
Stay in touch with the IAC in Philadelphia at (215) 724-
1618 and New York at (212) 633-6646.
JULY 29: "Save Health Care" demonstration organized by the
Philadelphia Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Health Care. The
group's Web site calls for health care before profits,
patients' rights and access to health care for all. The
IAC will march with an AIDS activist contingent organized
by Philadelphia ACT UP.
Gather 11 a.m. at Franklin Square near 6th and Race
streets. March steps off at noon. Rally 1:30 p.m. at Love
Park.
JULY 30: Unity 2000 march for "Justice and Democracy Now."
The "Not one more lynching" contingent will gather at 9:30
a.m. on JFK Blvd. and 20th street. Look for the signs and
banners.
JULY 30: "U.S. Navy Out of Vieques" protest in nearby
Camden, N.J. at 5:30 p.m. Contact the IAC for time and
location.
JULY 31: "March for Economic Human Rights" organized by the
Kensington Welfare Rights Union. Gather 11 a.m. at City
Hall. March steps off at noon for the First Union Center,
site of the Republican Convention.
Police denied a permit for this poor people's march. It
could be the first big showdown with police over the right
to protest during the convention.
AUG. 1: Day of Nonviolent Direct Action Against the
Criminal In-Justice System organized by Philadelphia
Direct Action Network, New York Free Mumia Coalition and
Hunter College Student Liberation Action Movement.
This will be a time for many people to take direct action
and risk arrest on behalf of Abu-Jamal and other victims of
the cops, courts and prisons. If you would like to be part
of an "Avenge Shaka, free Mumia" affinity group, contact
the IAC.
AUG. 2: "Avenge Shaka, free Mumia" march called by the IAC.
Gather noon at 15th and Market streets. March to
Philadelphia's financial district. Time and location are
subject to change; contact the IAC.
For daily updates on actions and transportation, visit the
Web sites www.iacenter.org and www.mumia2000.org.
- END -
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