One good way to judge a man is by looking at who wants him dead.
The loudest demands for the execution of radio journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal have come from Philadelphia's Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The Philly FOP is known nationally as a notorious racketeer-influenced and corrupt organization. In February, its former president and former treasurer were found guilty of racketeering by a federal jury and face long prison terms. Currently five more Philly cops are under indictment.
The Philly FOP is notoriously racist. In 1993, former District Attorney Victor Ventura stopped into the FOP Lodge for a drink. He made the mistake of bringing a Black friend, Eric Battey, with him. The two were refused service and then a mob of drunk cops dragged them out the door.
The FOP has been a moving force in the frame-up of Mumia from the very beginning, making direct contact behind the scenes with the first judge before whom Mumia appeared. It was the FOP who demanded that National Public Radio censor Mumia, and it campaigns today against the publication of Mumia's new book. (Live from Death Row, 1995, Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-48319-X)
Typical of the hooligans calling for Mumia's head is State Representative Michael McGeehan. McGeehan never stops reminding people that "My grandfather was detective, all his sons were police officers." McGeehan is the representative who introduced legislation to force the governor to sign death warrrants faster, and he was so incensed that Addison-Wesley has published Mumia's new book that he introduced new legislation to prevent imprisoned authors from selling their work.
For some reason, Mike McGeehan never got to be a cop himself, but not for lack of trying. In 1987 he got involved in an election night brawl. McGeehan then followed home one of his opponents and beat him up, for which he was sued by the victim.
Another voice calling for Mumia's death is former Philly cop Edward J. Connor, who is now police chief of Ferguson Township. Connor has claimed in press interviews that he knows "from personal knwledge" that Mumia is a cold-blooded killer. On the topic of cold-blooded killing, we must admit that Connor is something of an expert. He was one of the cops who constructed the bomb made from military explosives that was dropped on the MOVE house on May 13, 1985. The result was that 61 houses were burned down, and six adults and five children were killed.
It would be tempting to simply dismiss all this as ravings from Phildelphia's swinest. But we have to stop and remember that the police are not just another criminal syndicate. They "serve and protect" wealth and power in this society. It is their job to preserve existing social relation by force - relations that include white supremacy, male supremacy, and the private ownership of wealth.
By speaking and writing as "the voice of the voiceless," Mumia Abu-Jamal represents a very real threat to those social relations. In addition, Mumia's life has embraced both the Black Panther Party and MOVE, two organizations that upheld the right of oppressed people to defend themselves from vicious attack.
There is something about Black people speaking truth to power and defending themselves that the "injustice" system finds very threatening. Historically it has gone to any length to assassinate, execute, or liquidate those who would not go down on their knees. It will kill again unless it is stopped by the people.
In a recent issue of the Philly FOP newsletter, The Peace Officer, the former DA who prosecuted Mumia links the campaign to kill Mumia to the push to reintroduce the death penalty generally. "Frankly in my view, death is in," wrote Joe McGill.
Sources: New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Phildelphia Tribune, Scoop USA, and The Peace Oficer.
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