------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the July 19, 2001 issue of Workers World newspaper ------------------------- PHILADELPHIA: MUMIA ABU-JAMAL SUPPORTERS CONFRONT BUSH By Betsey Piette Philadelphia White House resident George W. Bush came to town July 4 to attend a well-staged and even more well-secured "Block Party" in the midst of one of this city's most oppressed neighborhoods. Bush spent an hour flipping burgers for selected guests and pushing his right-wing "faith-based" initiative. But a block away, residents of this predominantly African American community expressed their feelings of outrage towards Bush's program. They raised their fists and cheered a car caravan of demonstrators calling for freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal and exposing Bush as a serial killer. While governor of Texas, Bush carried out over 152 executions of death-row prisoners. Chants of "Free Mumia" and honking horns from more than a dozen cars in the caravan could be heard inside the blocked- off area where Bush spoke. He was quickly whisked away from the area after the pro-Mumia and anti-death-penalty demonstration arrived. While Bush rushed to get out of the community, the caravan for world-recognized political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal slowly wound its way through the neighborhood streets. On every block residents raised fists in support, despite intense media demonizing of this revolutionary journalist in this most repressive city. And they eagerly sought flyers about Abu-Jamal's case and a statement from Abu-Jamal asking "How free are we on 'independence' day?" A flyer calling for a demonstration to "Beat Back the Bush Attack" in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29 was also well received. On one narrow street, drivers of cars traveling in the opposite direction from the caravan reached out for flyers from motorcade drivers. When the motorcade returned to Center City, protesters were able to confront Bush again near his hotel at 17th and Walnut streets. The Motorcade for Mumia followed a morning rally at Philadelphia's City Hall. At the rally Pam Africa, head of the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu- Jamal, explained the latest developments in the case. Africa noted that right now Abu-Jamal's case is at its most critical juncture. Citing "an all-pervasive conflict of interest" by Abu- Jamal's former lawyers, his current attorneys are asking Federal Judge William H. Yohn to suspend the appeal of his 1982 conviction and death sentence so that they can mount a new legal challenge in the Pennsylvania courts. Abu-Jamal has been waiting for more than 21 months for Judge Yohn to hold hearings on his appeals petition. Because of the Effective Death Penalty Act signed by then-President Bill Clinton in 1996, there is nothing to mandate that the higher court must hold a hearing on or grant a death-row prisoner's petition for habeas relief. In May, Abu-Jamal changed his legal team from one led by Leonard Weinglass to a new team led by Marlene Kamish of Chicago. Kamish and co-attorney Elliot Grossman recently filed several affidavits, including one by Arnold Beverly stating that he, not Abu-Jamal, killed police officer Daniel Faulkner on Dec. 9, 1981. While this July 4 marks the 19th anniversary of Judge Albert Sabo's sentencing Mumia Abu-Jamal to death row, the past year has seen more and more evidence brought to light supporting the call to "Free Mumia now." - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For subscription info send message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.workers.org) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
