Black Political Prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal
Rejected by Supreme Court, Mumia Still Awaits Justice
Apr 16, 2009
The election of a Black president definitely marks a hallmark in American history, but it does not exonerate the jails of the country holding thousands of prisoners for decades awaiting trial or even death. There is a long way to go before those detained in jails can claim freedom. Mumia Abu Jamal is one such prisoner locked up on death row since 1982 and yet continuing to fight for his justice and those suffering from imprisonment.
An internationally acknowledged intellectual writer, journalist and Black Panther Party activist, Mumia Abu Jamal was convicted of the 1981 murder of Philadelphia policeman David Faulkner. Since then he has spent his life imprisoned, the majority of that time on death row. Mumia’s case has become that of immense controversy, since his conviction, dividing those who believe he was behind the murder against those who claim that his trial was not a fair one.
Mumia Abu Jamal’s History With the Black Panther Party
Before Mumia’s name was involved with the murder of a white Philadelphia policeman, Abu Jamal was well known as an activist with the Black Panther Party and for his investigative community journalism that came down hard on the perpetrators. The Black Panther Party (originally the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense) was an African-American organization established during the era of Civil Rights Movement to defend the rights of Blacks. Inspired more by Malcolm X’s views rather than Martin Luther King’s, the Party was known more for its social agitation.
Evidence Supporting Mumia's Innocence
His defenders believe that Mumia’s case is that of pure racism and the reason why he has not been released for over two decades is because it will bring to light the racism that still exists at the hands of individuals on various levels in society.
According to freemumia.org, a website made to commemorate the cause of Mumia, David Faulkner was killed with a 44 caliber gun whereas Mumia Abu-Jamal's gun was a 38 caliber. Mumia, who also drove a cab during the night, was licensed to carry the gun. The same site further goes on to share the fact in Mumia’s defense that”the police never tested Abu-Jamal's gun to see if it had been recently fired. They never tested his hands to see if he had fired a gun. They have never shown Abu-Jamal 's gun to be the fatal weapon.”
The people behind the link further argue that ”Abu-Jamal's doctor said that Abu-Jamal, who was unconscious, said nothing. He reported that a nurse found police with loaded guns pointed at Mumia as he lay unconscious in his hospital bed.” ”No police officers present at Abu-Jamal's arrest claimed to have heard Jamal's ‘confession’ until two months after it allegedly occurred. This was right after Abu-Jamal had filed police brutality charges.”
An article that was released by Democracy Now titled “Did Mumia Abu-Jamal Really Confess” clarified that Mumia Abu Jamal has always defended “that the police fabricated a confession he allegedly made to a police officer while he was in the hospital receiving treatment for the bullet wound, and which the officer did not come forward with until two months afterward. The officer, who was Faulkner’s partner, said he had forgotten hearing Abu Jamal’s confession due to psychological trauma from losing his partner.”
Mumia’s Appeal is Rejected by the Supreme Court
Earlier this month, Mumia’s long-awaited appeal in the Supreme Court was rejected. The appeal was made on the grounds that in his 1982 hearing his prosecutor used the authority to remove black jurors. Supreme Court has yet to decide if they will allow for a re-hearing of his case. In other words, it means that if they rule against it, he may be executed directly without an opportunity for another hearing. In response to the decision made by the Supreme Court in April 2009, his attorney Robert Bryan will be filing a petition again for hearing at the Supreme Court.
Mumia’s Case is Defended by Renowned Personalities Worldwide
Passionately defending Mumia’s case are human rights activists and organizations not just in the United States but around the world. Amnesty International, Immortal Technique, Rage Against the Machine and Human Rights Commissions have taken up his case to fair trial and ultimate freedom. Mumia has also been defended by renowned and well-respected names like Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Sean Penn, and Talib Kweli. Danielle Mitterrand, the wife of the former and late French president and a fighter for justice since anti-apartheid days, is another defendant of Mumia’s case. Mumia was an honored citizen of Paris and there is now a street named after his name.
It is hoped that with a President who is so passionate about social justice and fairness for all, Mumia’s case will be re-considered and justice will be brought to him. In Mrs.Mitterand’s words, "Silencing Mumia would mean silencing 3000 people condemned to death in a land where the number of imprisoned people is breaking all records…The Americans do not deserve such barbarism!"
