Recently a federal judge in Pittsburgh found the Pennsylvania prison authorities guilty of violating Mumia's basic rights. The court found that prison authorities had illegally read correspondence between Mumia and his attorneys and passed xerox copies on to other state officials who are working to execute Mumia. The court also found that prison authorities had discriminated against Mumia in barring media access to him while allowing it to other prisoners.
These rulings came about only because Mumia went on the offensive and brought a law suit against the state. That battle now has to be continued. Not all of the court's decision was favorable to Mumia, so he is now appealing parts of the decision to the federal Court of Appeals. In particular, this appeal seeks to establish Mumia's right to write and publish a book without being punished by prison authorities. He is also appealing a part of the decision that allows the prison authorities to go on examining his legal if it is part of an on-going investigation of illegal activity or violation of prison rules.
While the attorneys are donating their time, they cannot be expected to pay the sixteen hundred dollars required to pay for the transcripts of proceedings at the district court level. Your help is needed immediately. Sixteen $100 contributions from around the country would raise this money in a day, and back Mumia's next important step.
Checks should be made out to Black United Fund/Mumia Abu-Jamal, and ear-mark the check "Civil Suit." Mail checks to:
Black United Fund
2227 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19132
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