Philadelphia, July 5 — Over a hundred people demonstrated for Mumia Abu-Jamal’s freedom here today. Forty-three years ago, on July 3, 1983, the Black revolutionary was convicted after being framed for killing a Philadelphia cop.
Abu-Jamal was sentenced to death and would be kept on death row until 2011. Pennsylvania authorities are still trying to kill him by medical neglect.
People rallied in West Philadelphia’s Malcolm X Park on 52nd Street. Among the speakers were Ramona Africa and Mama Pam.
It was pointed out that the freeing of American Indian Movement leader Leonard Peltier after nearly 50 years in prison shows that the power of the people can free Mumia Abu-Jamal as well.
One of the streets adjoining Malcolm X Park is Osage Avenue, where, further west, the FBI and police dropped a bomb on the MOVE organization’s house on May 13, 1985. Six adults and five children were killed.
Ramona Africa was the only adult survivor. She was imprisoned for seven years while enduring extensive burns.
After the rally, people marched up 52nd Street, a center of West Philly’s Black community. They were greeted by striking members of AFSCME DC 33 at the Lucien E. Blackwell library.
Despite over 40 years of lies being told about Mumia Abu-Jamal by the corporate media, there’s widespread support for Mumia’s freedom. Drivers passing by waved or honked their horns in support.
The workers at the library are part of the 9,000 city workers who have been on strike since July 1. Speakers at the Malcolm X Park rally declared their support for the striking workers.
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