July marks the 25th anniversary of the wrongful conviction of African American political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal.
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Abu-Jamal has been on Pennsylvania’s death row since 1982 on false charges of shooting a Philadelphia cop. He has always proclaimed his innocence. Abu-Jamal was railroaded for his revolutionary journalism and for his role as a youth organizer of the Philadelphia branch of the Black Panther Party.
The battle to free Abu-Jamal is still strong and making headway. St. Denis, a suburb of Paris, France, named a street after Abu-Jamal in 2006. Activists in other cities have taken up the same struggle.
In June 15, the New York City Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition opened a campaign to name a Harlem street after Mumia. The opening event was held at St. Mary’s Church in Harlem and featured Pam Africa of International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, noted hip-hop performer Immortal Technique, and many other community activists and leaders.
The New York City ANSWER Coalition announced its plans to contribute its efforts to this campaign. “From July 17 to 30, we are taking the streets of Harlem, going door to door and corner to corner to raise consciousness about our brave brother and comrade,” said ANSWER organizer Vanessa Alarcon.
She added, “Mumia Abu- Jamal is a political prisoner who condemns the oppressive system of war, racism, poverty, homelessness and unemployment. ANSWER is proud to be a part of the effort to name a street after Mumia. He is a victim of this racist U.S. criminal ‘justice’ system.”
Harlem deserves a street named for a hero like Abu-Jamal. Join the fight to make it happen. Free Mumia!
For more information and to get involved with the campaign, contact ANSWER at 212-694-8720.
