News from the struggle to Free Mumia!

compiled by Refuse & Resist!
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December, 1998

San Jose, CA
December 12 - About 40 people marched from east San Jose to downtown San Jose, about 3 and a half miles. We carried signs, political murals painted by a local political artist, and a large puppet of Mumia carried by three people. There were also signs demanding clemancy for Leonard Peltier.
Along the route most people were very receptive to us, lots of car drivers honked their horns in support! We distributed thousands of flyers about Mumia in both English and Spanish. Some people joined our march along the route.
We arrived to our rally site and more people joined us, we were about 60 people. Our rally site was outside of the San Jose Convention Center. An employee of the San Jose Convention Center and the police prevented us from using a sound system. (In San Jose there is no longer a sound ordinance, however the old law has not yet been stricken from the books). The police also wanted to prevent us from using a bullhorn, but they finally relinquished on that.
The people who attended the rally, about 50, were very patient and supportive and waited 45 minutes to an hour until we could finally start the rally. Mostly, people sang political songs and read political poetry. One speaker spoke about the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and two speakers spoke about Mumia Abu-Jamal.
More people in San Jose now know that there is a coalition in San Jose fighting for Mumia's freedom. Some of them have now joined the South Bay Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal. We have activities planned for the next few months, we'll keep you updated. Ona move in San Jose!

Portland, OR
The Portland Free Mumia Coalition came into existence at the end of October 1998. The Coalition formed after it was revealed that Mumia's last appeal for a new trial at the state level was denied. We fully realize the danger of a death warrant being signed for Mumia and are calling for mass civil disobedience in the event that this should occur.
We have also agreed, as a coalition, on three points of unity in conjunction with the Free Mumia campaign. We acknowledge that there are political prisoners being imprisoned in the United States presently, and that they, like Mumia, should be freed. We also call for an end to police brutality, of which Mumia is a victim, and the cessation of the death penalty.
Our current work revolves around the dissemination of literature/information and community outreach/involvement. We are also showing the documentary "A Case for Reasonable Doubt" to community groups and utilizing the national petition to make sure that Governor Tom Ridge and everyone else knows that in Portland, Oregon, there are people who believe Mumia deserves a new trial. To date, we have gained almost 400 signatures from all over the world. On December 9, 1998, the Coalition held a vigil in the northeast section of Portland in front of a community policing precinct. At least 150 people carried banners and candles in support of Mumia during Portland's rush hour. We received many cheers and honks of support. Lastly, the Portland Free Mumia Coalition has held two successful benefit shows and raised funds for Mumia and for on-going local work.

Santa Cruz, CA
December 9, 1998 - The Santa Cruz Coaliton to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal sponsored a teach-in educational forum to address the issues regarding Mumia's case and the appeal process.
Approximately 150-175 UCSC students, staff and faculty with numerous community activists attended this event which raised the issues of the the racist original trial and how best to focus our energies in light of Mumia's latest appeal denial.
Speakers such as UCSC Professor Bettina Aptheker, who eloquently appealed to the masses to get informed and form coalitions to overcome the aggresive, and insidious position taken by the mass media (ABC),FOP, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court who seem committed to killing Mumia.
Other speakers addressed issues such as the prison industrial complex, death penalty and methods and events to free Mumia.
Kiilu Nyasha, former Black Panther Party member, although unable to attend sent a video and tape of her visit with Mumia, and appealed to everyone to heighten their commitment to do every they could to free Mumia.
The Santa Cruz Coaliton provided handouts to the participants and made available Mumia T-Shirts, books and a wide array of posters and fact sheets.

Santa Cruz, CA
December 12, 1998 - A group of at least 200 Mumia supporters gathered on the campus of UCSC to stage a march and rally in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal, and to protest the recently denied appeal by the PSC.
We protesters marched down the main entrance to this picturesque campus, travelling and chanting as we went. "Free Mumia, Free Mumia NOW" and handing out informational fliers and getting honks of car horns in support as we made our way down to the busy part of town, where unsuspecting Christmas shoppers had to deal with our chants for freedom.
As we approached the Pacific Garden Mall, the local gendarms tried unsuccessfully to get us on the sidewalks to no avail. We were determined in our efforts to disrupt business as usual and share our message to Free Mumia to the uninitiated. We made our way down the Mall and gathered legions of supporters who marched and were given placards and signs calling for Mumia's freedom.
We finally made it to the town clock, roughly 300 strong by now and began a series of speakers in support of justice and freedom for Mumia. Members of the coalition proudly displayed their red Mumia t-shirts and sweatshirts and shouted to the heavens and the police viewed the proceedings from afar.
Ex Black Panther Mel Mason vehemently called for Mumia's freedom and vowed to fight for as long as necessary to work to that end.
The small but enthusiastic crowd proved once again that Santa Cruz, although thousands of miles from Philadelphia, is devoted to Mumia's case and will continue to organize events and plan rallies to make people aware of Mumia's plight and raise the conscienceness level to a fever pitch, cause that is what it will take.

Edinburgh, Scotland
December 19 - On Saturday 19 December 1998 there was some small-scale but successful solidarity activity with Mumia Abu-Jamal in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Around ten people joined the 100-strong demo against the bombing of Iraq being held in the centre of Edinburgh and leafleted both the demonstrators and passers-by with FREE MUMIA NOW! leaflets.
We had printed 2,000 leaflets - based on ones produced by the Anarchist Black Cross in London, with the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh contact details added - and many of them were distributed. We leafleted for around an hour and collected signatures on a petition.
We had also produced posters featuring Mumia's photo and the text FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL - FRAMED US ACTIVIST ON DEATH ROW - STOP THE EXECUTION and these were displayed on 15-20 placards, along with anti war posters.
A reliable source informs us that after the demo a group of people proceeded to the United States Consulate in Regent Terrace, Edinburgh and plastered the door and railings with posters and leaflets in solidarity with Mumia and against the war. We hope to obtain a photo of the US consulate decorated with the posters etc.- if you could use such a photo please let us know your postal address and we will try to get a copy to you.
We send all our solidarity to Mumia and to all his friends -- The Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 W.Montgomery Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HA, Scotland. Tel. International code for the UK plus (0)131 557 6242

Stockholm, Sweden
December 11 - In case you didn't already know: About 300 persons demonstrated Friday in Stockholm, Sweden, to save the life of Mumia Abu-Jamal. We marched from the City to the American Embassy, where an american flag was burned. The quite famous scientist Mattias Gardell gave a speech about the racist grounds upon which USA was founded, about Cointelpro and the FBI bombing of MOVE-collective etc. Mumia will never be freed by the racist american legal system, he said. He will only be free if a strong opinion will be manifested, in USA and internationally.

Sao Paulo, Brazil
December 2 - My name is Angelo and I take part in a anarchist colective called ACR (Anarchist Against Racism), and we are preparing a demonstration at the American General Consulate in Sao Paulo city, Brazil. It will happen in December 10 (international human rights day). Besides it, we released a compilation LP with 26 anarchopunx bands to benefit Mumia... We have gotten 4000 signnatures asking for Mumia's freedom, but we can't give it to the american consulate in Brazil -- we tried 3 times to give it. So we'd like to send it to Friends and Family of Mumia, because we think that it can help in the international pressure. Please reply so fast as possible, ok!!! We are fighting for the life of our brother Mumia Abu-Jamal!!

London, England
December 12 - there was a fantastic gig in support of Mumia in London, raised money and awareness. Details to follow. There was also a picket of the US Embassy earlier in the day, and leafleting of various Amnesty Int'l events marking the 50th Anniversary of UNDHR. We are trying to broaden our Solidarity with Mumia Abu Jamal group and have made contact with many sympathetic groups and individuals. We're in the process of distributing 20,000 flyers and are making available more detailed informational packs. Our next task must be to plan an action in the event that the death warrant is signed.

Honolulu, Hawaii
December 11 - A free political, social conscious hip hop/rock/regaee show happened at University of Hawaii on Friday night 12-11-98 to raise awareness of the battle to stop the States executioners from killing Mumia Abu- Jamal. It was sponsored by KTUH, G.S.O.,CCB, and R@R! Banners and pictures of Mumia surrounded the area of the show. R@R! and Revolution Books had tables with information on Mumias case. A popular radio DJ talked about Mumia, followed by a member of R@R! who talked about Mumias case history, present legal status, the unfair one-sided programming of 20/20, and how shows like this could be fun as well as political. Many donated $ to organize around Mumia, many asked questions, left phone #s to be contacted, took pamphlets, etc. The show ended with some freestylin' - starting with the chant from an R@R! member "FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL, TEAR DOWN THE PRISON WALLS!" Some of the audience chanted along - raising their fists in the air.

Hamburg, Germany
December 8 - the solidarity group "Free Mumia Abu-Jamal" in conjunction with the high school antifa group showed the Film "Behind these walls ..." in the HWP in the University of Hamburg. Mumia's present situation and his legal fight were explained. The meeting was attended by roughly 50 people, who were extremly interested in the case. A number of ideas were brought forward as to how to extend the support for Mumia. Donations were collected for Mumia's defense.
December 10 - some 15 members of the "Mumia Abu-Jamal Solidaritätsbündnis", who had previously held information meetings in Lüneburg and Uelzel. organized a street theatre in the Lüneburg city basesd on Mumia's racist trial. There was also an information stand and leaflets were distributed. The event attracted much attention and many people took the time to inform themselves as to Mumia's situation

Hamburg, Germany
December 5 - The action week in Hamburg began on Saturday the 5th of December with a demonstration race around the river, the Binnenalster, in the Hamburg city centre.
After the initial rally in the shopping mile Jungfernstieg, 55 runners with Mumia's prison number on their breast, as start number, a picture of Mumia and the slogan "Free Mumia" printed on cloth on their backs started off on the course around the Alster. During the race the the runners and demonstrators shouted the slogans "USA - hands off Mumia", "Stop the execution" and "Free Mumia" and leaflets were distributed. It was a lively atmosphere and fighting spirit, despite the cold.
After the race another rally was held on Jungfernstieg. Two runners with solidarity greetings from the Committee in support of the Saturday-Mothers from Turkey and Curdistan and a banner with the slogan "From Philadelphia to Istanbul - The fight for freedom and international solidarity" arrived from a rally 8 km away in Altona.
Thereafter 100 people demonstrated in front of the US Consulate to the music of the Soundsystems "SISTARS" and "ROOTS COMMANDMENT".

Vienna, Austria
December 5 - About 200 activists demonstrated in support of liberty of Mumia Abu Jamal in Vienna on Saturday (5.12.98)
Although far away from the USA 200 activists went on demonstration for the release of Mumia Abu Jamal in Vienna on December 5th 1998. Mumia Abu Jamal was and is an Anti racialist journalist whom they had called in the seventies "The Voice of The Voiceless" in Philadelphia. Police and justice in Pennsylvania accused him of murdering a policeman in 1981 which he cannot have done in accordance with all facts and "faults" in this legal proceedings, just because he became for the ruling shifts uncomfortably. Free Mumia! After opening talks we marched to the US- embassy.
A speaker of the committee introduced that the threatening execution of Mumia in Pennsylvania thousand kilometers remote from Vienna also touches a global problem. The government policy around the world intensifies with their policy of impoverishment of growing population masses also the class-justice against the underprivileged people. This parts of population like the Hispanics and Afroamericans in the USA are imprisoned above averaged in the death rows. This class justice includes - as shown in the case of Mumia - that politically unconvenient persons are accused untruthful of murderings to silence them for ever. 1995 we had managed internationally to prevent the execution of Mumia Abu Jamal. Once more, the order of execution immediately threatens Mumia now. Send protest-letters and -fax to the US embassy in Vienna, sign the lists, demonstrate with us ....
With slogans and speeches of left organisations against US imperialism, racialist legal system with class bias and for the release of all political prisoners we crossed the Inner City of Vienna to the US embassy which was widely closed off. A prison-model, which was carried with the demonstration, went up in flames at the final rally. Free Mumia Abu Jamal!
Committee "For the Release of Mumia Abu Jamal", Vienna LabourNet-Austria (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/LabourNetAustria)

Montreal, Canada
December 4 - Over 150 demonstrators marched through downtown Montreal this afternoon in solidarity with American political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, who faces the death penalty in Pennsylvania. Today's event, organized by the newly formed Free Mumia Coalition of Montreal, marks the first major demonstration for Mumia here since 1995. The Coalition chose today's date to coincide with the anniversary of the murders of Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark at the hands of the Chicago police in 1969.
Protesters gathered at Berri Square, and proceeded to take to the streets, chanting and drumming while marching along de Maisonneuve Boulevard and Ste-Catherine Street. The march ended at the US Consulate where demonstrators were awaited by dozens of police. Along with many speeches, and the audiotaped words of Mumia himself, some demonstrators burned an American flag, despite the attempts by Montreal`s finest to stop the act. Protesters persisted and the flag was lit.
Police harassment at the protest was minimal, although one well-known member of Citizens Opposed to Police Brutality (COBP) received a ticket for not having reflectors on his bike (which he wasn't riding at the time).
The Free Mumia Coalition is continuing to raise awareness in Montreal about Mumia Abu-Jamal, specifically the unfair nature of his trial and the broader implications of US repression against political activists, of which Mumia`s potential state-sanctioned murder is but one example. Along with support groups around the world, the Free Mumia Coalition of Montreal will be ready to act within hours of the signing of Mumia`s death warrant by Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge, which is imminent.
Members of the Free Mumia Coalition/ La Coalition pour la Libration de Mumia Abu-Jamal include: La Croix Noire Anarchiste/Anarchist Black Cross (ABC), Food Not Bombs, le Comit des sans-emploi, Citoyen-ne-s Oppose-e-s a la Brutalite Policiere (COBP), Amnesty International/ Concordia, the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM), le collectif de la Librairie Alternative, the Anti-Colonial Working Group, Rebelles, le Mouvement pour le Droit lEducation (MDE), le Drapeau Rouge and other groups and many more individuals. For more information on the Coalition, or to help, phone 514-844-3207 or e-mail abc-mtl@tao.ca.

November, 1998

Hamburg, Germany
On the 7th. Nov. there was a demonstration in support of Mumia in Hamburg. The demonstration, which was organized from the "Solidaritätsbündnis Free Mumia Abu-Jamal" in just three days, went through a number of residentual areas of the city to the US consulate. 5.000 leaflets were distributed and 500 poster were pasted. More thhan 250 people with different social and political backgrounds and of different nationality participated in the demonstration. The main banner carried the demand "Prevent the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal - NOW! Stop the execution. Free Mumia."
As a symbolic expression of their anger and disappointment in the US justice the demonstrators burned the Stars and Stripes. The demonstration was terminated with the reading of excerpts from one of Mumia's books by the actor and member of the executive committee of the Media Union (IG-Medien) Rolf Becker.

Hawaii
There have been a number of events for Mumia in the past month. R&R! has been leafleting music gigs and has gotten out thousands of fliers.
* Nov 2: About 15 people held huge banners in front of the US Federal Bldg * Nov 15: R&R! had a colorful booth at the "Big Mele", a music event that attracted about 6,000 people. No one there could miss the big banners and displays about Mumia.
* Nov 23: There was a forum at the University of Hawaii, which included the showing of the video "Ona Move". Speakers included a popular UH reggae DJ, and activists from the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement, R&R! and RCP. The forum was sponsored by the Graduate Student Organization and Revolution Books Club.
* Nov 27: R&R! held a noisy and colorful march through Waikiki, and more than 1000 Mumia leaflets were passed out along the route. When the march got to the most crowded intersection (and just as the police were hassling the marchers) a rain of "ticker tape" fluttered down from the top of one of the hotels. The small pieces of paper read "Free Mumia".

Stockholm, Sweden
27 November - Surprise demonstration in support of Mumia!
Over 300 demonstrators gathered on this cold and misty Friday evening to partake in a torchlight procession from the central Stockholm shopping district to the American embassy, situated in an out-of-the-way area of the city. demonstrators chanted slogans such as "free Mumia" "murdering USA" and "international solidarity is the working class' strength" as they marched through the crowded city streets blocking rush-hour traffic. Despite these disruptive activities not a policeman was to be seen.
Fire-breathers blew balls of fire during the long walk and upon arrival at the bunker-like embassy building the Stockholm police were still oddly missing. Speeches were held and the fire-breathers torched an American flag to the delight of photographers and demonstrators alike. Upon finally arriving, two shocked policemen were greeted by a young hip-hopper singing the chorus to "fuck the police" in a megaphone! Departing embassy personnel were greeted by boos and hisses and the message of Mumia's plight was made painfully clear.
As the demonstration wandered back towards the city, commando police vehicles were seen speeding by with sirens wailing on their way to the American embassy. much too late.
No justice, no peace!

Chicago, IL
On November 21, some 250 protesters, largely black trade unionists, as well as youth, socialists and anti-racist activists turned out at Chicago's Federal Plaza for a labor-centered demonstration in response to the Partisan Defense Committee call, "All Out to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal! Abolish the Racist Death Penalty!" Rally co-chairman Brian Mendis of the PDC told protesters: "You guys are the hard core, and it is up to you to go back into your communities and your unions to organize and mobilize the thousands for the next demonstration to free Mumia and abolish the racist death penalty!" Jamal -- a former Black Panther, MOVE supporter and courageous journalist known as the "voice of the voiceless" -- has been imprisoned in Pennsylvania for nearly 17 years. He is now under immediate threat of execution following an October 29 ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court endorsing each and every aspect of the racist frame-up that sent him to death row in 1982 on false charges of killing a Philadelphia policeman.
Addressing the rally, Marcellus Barnes, president of the Black Caucus of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), said: "This is what labor is all about. We represent the working people. We are the ones to stand up in the forefront and carry on the message." He ended by saying: "We must stand together! Free Jamal!" The demonstration drew transit workers from Chicago ATU Local 241 -- a key early endorser of the PDC call -- and ATU Local 308, along with members of United Auto Workers Locals 551 and 890 and Teamsters Local 705. Members of Communications Workers of America Local 4250 carried their union's banner. Also endorsing the protest was the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
Demonstrating international labor support for Jamal, statements of solidarity were sent by South African unions, such as the National Union of Mineworkers, the French journalists union SNJ-CGT and unions in Canada, Australia and Mexico. A statement for the rally from the Mexican Union of Electricians ended by calling out: "Long Live Mumia Abu-Jamal!" A letter from the Media Workers' Association of South Africa, which made Jamal an honorary member when he was facing execution in 1995, declared: "We call upon the entire working class movement to unite against the Pennsylvania state ruling," continuing that "Abu-Jamal has been on the forefront of the struggle against injustice and man's inhumanity to man."

London, England
We have been meeting weekly since we heard of the October 29th judgement and have now begun to campaign.
We are based at the community bookshop, the 56a Infoshop in South London and the meetings consist of people working in the bookstore, London Anarchist Black Cross and local individuals. So far we have held a day of local community leafleting in Brixton, Elephant + Castle, Spitalfields and Hackney on the 7th November.
We followed this on 14th November with a number of pickets and leafleting actions in Central London attended (at very short notice) by about 30 people. We held store pickets of American owned business - Disney Store, Warner Bros Store, Rainforest Cafe, AmEx and Planet Hollywood.
We have now printed 10,000 leaflets about the Mumia case and are distributing them thru a large mailing list encouraging other groups to organise around the case. We have also taken the leaflets on tour with the band The Levellers who are quite famous here and we are distributing them over 20 or so different concerts.
As I say, we are meeting weekly on WEDNESDAYS at 7pm at 56a INFOSHOP, 56 Crampton St, Elephant + Castle, London SE17 UK. These are open meetings so if anyone contacts you for a London group, feel free to pass on our details. We have a phone number for messages as well- 001-44-0171-326-0353.

Des Moines, IA
On Saturday, Nov. 14th, twenty-five supporters of Mumia turned out in the streets of Des Moines. The rally, which commenced at 1 PM CT, was organized by the Grinnell Coalition to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, based in Grinnell College, fifty miles east of the state capitol, and the Socialist Work ers Party, based in Des Moines. While the group was comparatively small, they still mananged to circulate nearly 200 flyers, predominantly to drivers at intersections, but also to passers-by.
The usual chants demanding Mumia's freedom now, condemning his stay on death row, and warning, "no justice, no peace" were heard as the group marched to the State Capitol Building. There they were informed by state poilice that a permit for protesting on state grounds had not been secured, even though employees in the state office had told protesters the day before that it would be. This led to, at times, heated discourse between protesters and the State Patrol who at one point, threatened to arrest the entire group for J-walking and disturbing the peace. The group decided to return to city grounds, where they continued to rally and circulate flyers until 3:15. The Grinnell Coalition is planning more demonstrations for the future. This rally was a follow-up to the overnight trip to Philadelphia completed by sixteen Grinnellians on the 7th.

Halifax, Canada
November 14 - This is an update on a Free Mumia Abu-Jamal demonsration, held on November 14th. This was a large( for Halifax), spirited and determined demonstration organized by the Halifax Committee To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal.The demonstation was held near the US consulate and lasted for two hours. Preparations are being made for a further demonstration in the first week of December.
It is clear that there is a broad sentiment against this outrageous miscarriage of justice. At the sametime there is the realization that this miscarriage is not accidental, that this is a state orchestrated attempt at political assassination.
Mobilizing to Save and Free Mumia!!
Halifax Committee To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal.

Ann Arbor, MI
November 9 - Approximately 50 people participated in a Noon rally for Mumia Abu-Jamal on November 9 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The demonstration was called by the Ann Arbor chapter of Anti-Racist Action (ARA) and was attended by a wide range of community members and University of Michigan Students. Besides Ann Arbor ARA, the groups represented included Academics for Affirmative Action and Social Justice, the University of Michigan chapter of the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee, Detroit ARA, the International Action Center, Socialist Workers Party, Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality, the Trotksist League, and Workers World Party.
While stressing the need to fight the legal lynching of Mumia, several speakers also condemned the recent deaths of James Byrd, Matthew Sheppard, and Dr. Barnett Slepian and pointed out that these were examples of extralegal terror. In addition U.S. imperialism towards Cuba and Iraq was condemned and several speakers pointed out that Mumia had long spoke out against economic injustices and called for revolutionary change.

Oslo, Norway
November 7 - "Stop the execution of Mumia" - demonstration in Oslo, Norway Paintbombs and firework crackers where thrown at the US Embassy during a demonstration in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal in Oslo, Norway Saturday the 7th. of November. About 100 people participated on very short notice, and promised to work harder and mobilizing more in the next weeks to stop the execution of Mumia. The manifestation were arranged by the supportcomite for Mumia from the autonomous youth house Blitz in Oslo.

Chicago, IL
November 7 - Chanting "Stop the Execution - Free Mumia Abu-Jamal!", about 300 people marched through the central Loop and held a rally in front of the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Thousands of leaflets about Mumia were distributed along the march route. The demonstration was organized by the Committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal (a coalition of political and social activist organizations).

Louisville, KY
November 7 - About 50 people showed up for the Save Mumia demonstration called by Louisville Anti-Racist Action. Muncie Anti-Racist Action was present too, as were the KY ACLU, the KY Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, and Amnesty International. We had a half-hour speak-out and then marched around downtown Louisville, going by several media outlets and chastising them for their failure to report news about Mumia. In addition to raising consciousness about Mumia, several speakers discussed the larger issues of police brutality, the gap between rich and poor, institutionalized racism, and the need for youth of all races to unite and confront the system. Our next action will be a benefit concert for Mumia and his legal defense team in December.

Missoula, MT
November 7 - 25 people attended a teach in about Mumia at Christ the King Church in Missoula Montana. We watched the video A Case for Reasonable Doubt, got an update on the the most recent appeal to the PA Supreme Court and on the appeal pending. We also considerably expanded our contact list. After the presentation there was a letter writing session in which we wrote to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court asking that they review Mumia's appeal using their own judgement instead of relying on the opinion of the man known as the "Hanging Judge" who is in all likelihood a participant in Mumia's frame up. We also decided to contact other human rights organizations about viewing the video. Our next meeting is after the Amnesty International meeting Monday where we will decide if we should form a coalition, which other groups need to be contacted and how best to get media attention. The media was invited but did not attend the teach in.

Monterey, CA
Saturday November 7th, there was also a National Tribunal on Police Brutality and Misconduct in Monterey that drew some of the major national figures in the movement to stop police brutality - Ron Daniels, Ron Hampton, Mary Powers (NCOPA), Ann Fagan Ginger (Meijlejohn Center) to families who have lost loved ones to police brutality and activists/organizers. There were approximately 80 people in attendance for the tribunal and there was a panel on Mumia Abu Jamal that featured D'Andre Bitter of the October 22nd Coalition and Simone Durant of Refuse & Resist! who emphasized where things are at in the battle, the stakes, the importance of taking the struggle broader and higher in order to prevent the government from killing Mumia. Local media in Monterey/San Jose/Santa Cruz area mentioned the tribunal in their news reports.

Nashville, TN
On Saturday, November 7, 1998, a protest to raise public awareness on Mumia's case was held at the Federal Courthouse downtown. At the demonstration's high point, I estimate that about 40-45 people were protesting, but probably 60-70 came and went throughout the day. This is a very impressive turnout, considering that the last Mumia demo was attended by only 15 people! About 1500 or so fliers were distributed, and public reaction was better than I expected, even though no press showed up (although they were notified well in advance...). Anyway, just writing to show that this truly is an international plea on behalf of Mumia Abu-Jamal, and I'm sure that more protests will occur here in the future.

Rome, Italy
November 7 - About 60 persons participated at the sit-in. We have distribuited about 300 sheets contained last Mumia's letter and the new attorneys' request.
We read both and we told about Mumia and MOVE's story. We had photos and candles to let know we were there in support of Mumia. In the next days we will send you some photos.
Malcolm X Association

San Francisco, CA
November 7 - In SF Bay Area, approximately 1,000 people took to the streets to voice their outrage over the Penn Supreme Court decision denying Mumia Abu-Jamal a new trial. The Bay Area action was organized and initiated by the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal coalition. Prior to the march, there was a short rally at the SF Federal Building and people huddled in the wind and rain to hear Angela Davis; a member of Third Eye read a statement by Assata Shakur and then people took to the streets. The march went through a predominantly black neighborhood that has been hard hit by police brutality and harassment in the recent period and was greeted warmly by the residents of the nearby projects. The urgency of Mumia's case drew a diverse, youthful determination, revolutionaries, activists and others. A high school teacher brought her class of 30 from a Oakland high school; people from the nearby projects joined in the march; carpools of from Santa Cruz, San Jose, Fresno came.
At the rally, which was held at a park near the projects, activists, and residents gathered to hear an array of speakers: a nun from a Catholic church; high school students from Castlemont High in Oakland; youth from Lick Wilmerding High in SF; Walter Johnson, secretary general for the AFL CIO who is proposing a work stoppage for Mumia; a teacher from the Oakland Education Association who is calling on teachers to open up their classrooms for discussion and class assignments on Mumia; Amira Baraka (LeRoi Jones) connected the elections, the Brown brothers (incoming new mayor of Oakland Jerry Brown and SF mayor Willie Brown), the Clinton scandal.
Other speakers included: Anna Brown, from Academicians for Mumia Abu Jamal; Jeff Mackler, Socialist Action; Campaign to End the Death Penalty; a representative of the Black Radical Congress; International Socialist Organization; Richard Becker (Workers World); a statement was read from the Irish Socialist Party in Ireland and many more.
Colleen read a statement from poet Adrienne Rich and spoke on behalf of Refuse & Resist! emphasizing what is at stake in the battle, to take the struggle to a higher level and that the time was now as emphasized in Clark Kissinger's analysis of the Penn Supreme Court decision.
The R&R! crew distributed the R&R! flyer; sold copies of Clark Kissinger's analysis of the Penn Supreme Court decision; distributed our basic flyer to people from the housing projects as well as to the youth in the house a organizing kit with some speaking points from the NY Times Ad to go out and organize others and speak to others about who is Mumia, why the government wants to execute him and some suggestions on what people can do.

Volta Redonda, Brazil
November 7 - Workers in Volta Redonda, Brazil demonstrated to demand "Freedom Now for Mumia Abu-Jamal!" and "Down with the Racist Death Penalty!" Initiated by the Liga Quarta-Internacionalista do Brasil (LQB), section of the League for the Fourth International, the rally was held in front of Latin America's largest steel plant. Speakers spoke at a monument to three workers killed when the army intervened against the militant 1988 steel strike. Publicized through a leaflet, radio interviews and a powerful sound truck provided by the Construction Workers Union, the protest of several dozen drew steel and municipal workers and other unionists, as well as black activists and students from area schools. The internationalist protest was held on the 81st anniversary of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.
A huge banner bearing Mumia's portrait and the demand for his freedom dominated the plaza. A highlight of the rally was a performance of capoeira, the martial art invented by Brazilian slaves. Speakers included a popular local radio host, a representative of the Green Party and a spokesman for the Palmares Club, named after the "Palmares Republic" founded by 17th-century slave revolt leader Zumbi. Noting that his group had walked three miles from the working-class Água Limpa neighborhood to the rally, a speaker from the Warriors of Água Limpa cultural association stressed Mumia's history as a spokesman for the Black Panther Party. Many of the speeches linked the international fight for Jamal's life and freedom to the struggle against racist oppression and police terror in Brazil, recalling massacres of black street children, landless peasants and prisoners, as well as killings of homosexuals and widespread forced sterilization of black and Indian women.
Addressing the rally was Class Struggle Caucus (CLC) spokesman Geraldo Ribeiro, who led the fight in 1996 to expel guardas (city police) from the municipal workers union. LQB and CLC signs demanded the expulsion of cops of all kinds from all unions and the CUT labor federation. Ribeiro noted: "This is an international event demanding freedom now for Mumia Abu-Jamal. Today is also the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the metal workers' strike at the National Steel Company, where the strikers William, Valmir and Barroso were murdered by the same capitalist system that wants to kill Mumia Abu-Jamal."

Detroit, MI
November 5 - In Detroit we held a demonstration at the US District Courthouse on November 5th. Over 50 people very spirited people showed up. A lot of people driving by honked horns and cheered us on. People made some really inspirational speeches as well as making plans to go to Philly. There are plans for a coalition meeting on Nov. 13th

Calgary, Alberta
November 2 - News of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Decision sparked demonstrations, videos, and education campaigns throughout the world, including Calgary. On Nov. 2, 1998, a small demonstration was organized by United Against Racism in front of the US consulate. Approximately 100 "fact sheets" about Mumia Abu-Jamal's case were distributed and drew a good response from the public. Some activists took more direct action, chalking "FREE MUMIA!" in 4-foot letters on the sidewalk, along with the Webpage URL and phone number for the organization "Refuse and Resist!" one of the leading organizations involved in the struggle to free Mumia. The University of Calgary based "Revolutionary Anarchist Klub" has been distributing literature about Mumia Abu-Jamal and has organized two video showings of the HBO documentary "Mumia Abu-Jamal: a case for reasonable doubt" at 4 and 7pm, Wednesday, Dec. 2nd, in room 205 of MacEwan Hall.

San Francisco, CA
November 2 the "Monday after" emergency event organized by the Prison Radio Project, Fireworks and others, was effective. Some 1000 attended and marched through the Mission District communities in a torch light parade.

Los Angeles, CA
November 2 - The L.A. demo for Mumia tonight at the westside federal building was pretty strong -- there were at least 150 people there at the height I would say, maybe 200 all together, with a fairly positive response from folks passing by, waiting for buses or driving along Wilshire -- quite a few honking support, very few cat-calling (as is sometimes pretty common in L.A.).
We were there for more than 2 hours from before 5:00 until almost 7:00 (well after dark) -- quite a few people showed up who didn't seem to be with organized contingents but just concerned individuals who hopefully will be hooking up with some ongoing work. Folks were there from PART, ARA, MXGM, Refuse & Resist, Food not Bombs, Partisan Defense, Peace & Freedom, CISPES, Crack the CIA, some Zapatista supporters and probably some other organizations.

Minneapolis, MN
November 1 - Close to 100 people came to the intersection of Cedar and Riverside on November 1st to express their outrage at the decision against Mumia. The demonstration was militant and spirited, with a street march down Cedar Avenue following the rally on the steps of Riverside Bank. Some great pictures of that demonstration can be viewed online at: http://www1.minn.net/~meis/11-1demo/demo.htm

Immediately following the PA Supreme Court's denial of Mumia's appeal for post-conviction relief on October 29, protest actions took place in cities around the world. On Novemver 7, demontsrations were held in Philadelphia PA, Ann Arbor MI, Austin TX, Bangor ME, Bloomington IN, Burlington VT, Chicago IL, Gainesville FL, Louisville KY, Los Angeles CA, Madison WI, Missoula MT, Nashville TN, Portland OR, San Diego CA, San Francisco CA, Seattle WA, Calgary (Canada), Volta Redonda (Brazil), Amsterdam (Holland), Besançon (France), Hamburg (Germany), Marseille (France), Paris (France), Rome (Italy), Oslo (Norway), Strasbourg (France) and Cape Town (South Africa). On November 14, protests were held in Cleveland OH, Columbis OH, Des Moines IA, Minneapolis MN, and Toronto (Canada).

October, 1998

Ann Arbor, MI
We had a demonstration 12pm 10/31 at the downtown Federal Bldg. On less than 18 hours notice we had 15 people with signs and flyers for passersby. Got a good response and there was more name recognition of Mumia and an overall positive response from more people than expected. Several people stopped and made unsolicited donations and a few people stopped to join us.

New York, NY
1,000 protesters gathered at Grand Central Station and marched to Times Square on Saturday October 31St. A Free Mumia Abu-Jamal contingent participated in the Halloween parade, and other marchers and onlookers joined in chanting slogans demanding that Abu-Jamal be freed

San Francisco, CA
On Saturday, October 31 The Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal held an emergency demonstration in San Francisco at Powell and Market to protest the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. 1200 attended including a broad range of people representing many organizations as well as many who heard about the decision through our efforts. A meeting of 75 Mobilization members and supporters earlier in the day set, Saturday, November 7 as the date for a mass march and protest rally to Stop the Execution and Free Mumia! The October 31 action was covered by major television stations including Channel 5 News. 6,000 leaflets were distributed on October 31 announcing the November 7 demonstrations. 20,000 more have just been printed.

Washington, DC
Approximately 80 people protested in front of the Supreme Court on Sat, October 31 at 5:00 PM.
A demonstration will be held in front of the Supreme Court at 5:00 PM if the death warrant is signed on the day after it is signed.
Meetings of International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal are held every Tuesday at 6:00 at 404 H St., NE.

August, 1998

San Fracisco, CA
On Saturday August 1st, 150 supporters of Mumia Abu-Jamal demonstrated outside KGO TV in San Francisco. In May, KGO, the SF ABC TV station ran a vicious 12-minute, two part attack on Mumia and his supporters. (see Revolutionary Worker newspaper issue 963, June 28, 1998 " Media Lies Exposed in the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal).
The protest at KGO was organized by the Bay Area Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, the coalition that organized a march of 5,000 people for Mumia last year in San Francisco. The coalition was a target of the KGO series. Speakers included: Aundre Herron from the ACLU; Christina Vasquez, Companeros del Barrio, Rev. Alan Laird of Bethel AME Church & owner of Expression Art Gallery; former Black Panther Kiilu Nyasha, and Paul George from the Peninsula Peace & Justice Center. Also present were Refuse & Resist!, immigrant right activists and others.
A couple of weeks earlier on July 22nd, Refuse & Resist! held a forum in the Bay Area to expose some of the lies in the KGO series. R&R! members showed a video of the KGO slander on Mumia and a video excerpt from a speech by Leonard Weinglass, Mumia's lead attorney, refuting several of the claims in the KGO series. Several young activists at the forum said they were really angry at the outrageous lies promoted by KGO and some made plans to do programs exposing the KGO series in San Jose and elsewhere.

May, 1998

Paris, France
On Wednesday, May 13th for the first time since the massive French Demonstrations of 1995, the French police encircled a Pro Mumia Abu-Jamal group picketing the American Consulate and ordered the demonstrators "to take their Mumia banner down because an important personality on a semi- official visit to France was due to pass through the Place De La Concorde"
[This is unprecedented. A group of Mumia Abu-Jamal supporters from the ranks of the thirty group strong Save Mumia Coalition have been meeting Winter and Summer, rain or shine every Wednesday from 6 to 8PM on the famous Place De La Concorde opposite the American Consulate. The ten feet long "Save Mumia" banner strung between two lamp posts - a few yards away from the site where the French Revolution was sparked - has become a permanent fixture near the former site of the old guillotine. The death penalty was abolished in France in 1981, through the efforts of the then Minister of Justice, Robert Badinter]
A motorcade did pass through, yards away from Mumia picket and the unhoisted banner - close enough for all to recognize its VIP passenger: Hillary Rodham Clinton. The French police had received a mobile phone call minutes before most probably at the behest of the First Lady's security liaison.
No sooner had the Presidential motorcade passed what was deemed to be an "eye sore" but not a "human rights sore", the Mumia banner went up again. And was into the sultry evening, Hillary's garden party guests seeking the cool on the stone balconies of the American Consulate tasted sour champagne as they gazed down on the Mumia Banner raised to meet their eyes. Mumia's ordeal will be a thron in the side of American diplomacy abroad.
[Both the conservative President of the Republic of France - Jacques Chirac - and his socialist Prime Minister - Lionel Jospin - have written letters (respectively in 1995 and 1998) indicating their concern that Mumia's human rights were violated]

March, 1998

Oslo, Norway
The Oslo-located support-group for Mumia had a manifestation at the US embassy in Oslo on the 17th of March, were we climbed up by ladders at a roof over the entrance of the embassy, and stood there with banners for one hour before the police could find out how to get up there and arrest us. The action gave quit good media interest of the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. The embassy's press-spokesperson Jodell Shields refused to give any coments to the press about the situation for Mumia Abu-Jamal. The actions will continue.

February, 1998

Rifton, NY
"If we are no longer here for all people, if we can no longer concern ourselves with the need and suffering of the whole world, community life has lost its right to exist."
This quote spoken over 60 years ago by the founder of the Bruderhof movements kicked off a great evening of fellowship and activism at the Woodcrest Bruderhof, Thursday, Feb. 26th. Brother Mumia has been denied the basic freedoms that are our "rights" according to this nations constitution - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. What hypocrisy! Our brother is denied liberty, locked and caged in solitary confinement, tortured and degraded for the past 17 years. But it is not only Mumia, what about the millions of brothers and sisters across our nation being beaten, tortured, caged in the "fastest growing housing projects" of our nation - jails and prisons. The hundreds who have already served decades for trumped up charges because of their political affiliations be they BPP member, members of the American Indian Movement, North American anti-imperialist, or other political prisoners. Then all over the world their are brothers and sisters being beaten down, trodden on, murdered, massacred, and starved. [more on this event]

Oslo, Norway
On the 26. of February 1998 the autononomous Youth House Blitz in Oslo held a unlegal demonstration outside the US Embassy in Oslo, Norway. The police tred to stop the demonstration, but gave up, and we continued the demo with slogans and speeches for the freedom of Mumia Abu-Jamal. -- Blitz

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