Notes From Berlin on Mumia and Pergida: The US Embassy and Small Town Thugs

April 13, 2015

Notes From Berlin on Mumia and Pergida

The US Embassy and Small Town Thugs

by VICTOR GROSSMAN


Berlin.

The little group, waiting for their appointment at the US Embassy in Berlin, were shocked when one member showed the latest photos of a haggard, incredibly aged Mumia Abu-Jamal, unable to stand without assistance.

For any who don’t know, the African-American radio journalist with the dreadlocks and a wonderfully deep, warm voice has been in prison since 1981, convicted of killing a Philadelphia policeman. More and more evidence piled up that, seriously wounded, he could not have been guilty. But even those with doubts know that his trial was totally unfair, with a racist prosecutor, a racist judge, an incompetent defense attorney, suppression of evidence and witness intimidation. But, hated for his views by the Fraternal Order of the Police, he was never granted a fair second trial. After long years in a tiny death cell, a world-wide movement saved him from the gas chamber but not from life in prison with no hope of parole. Yet his amazing commentaries on American and world events, telephoned from prison, enraged those who wanted his death. They have often tried to muzzle him, most recently with a law aimed almost directly against him.

After half-hearted medical care in prison, a frightening coma resulted in a brief hospital stay, shackled to his bed and with only rare visits. Then he was taken back to a prison infirmary unable (and perhaps unwilling) to grant needed treatment for diabetes. The petition to the US Embassy near the Brandenburg Gate was to protest this.

The Mumia movement in Germany has been active almost from the start. It led rallies and parades and won support for a new trial from major German city councils. On December 7th 2000 the German Bundestag passed a resolution condemning death penalties in general and calling for a new trial for Mumia; not one party voted against it. On October 2nd 2010 the European Parliament also opposed death penalties everywhere and mentioned several people on death row, explicitly including Mumia and – in vain – Troy Davis. 574 voted in favor, only 25 voted no.

More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/04/13/the-us-embassy-and-small-town-thugs/

[center]~ ~ ~[/center]
April 22, 2015

Educators Oppose Suspension of New Jersey Teacher Whose Students Wrote to Mumia Abu-Jamal


And hundreds of students, educators and scholars from across the country have sent a letter to city authorities in Orange, New Jersey, urging them reinstate a teacher suspended for letting her third grade students write get-well cards to imprisoned journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal was convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer, but Amnesty International has found he was deprived of a fair trial. Speaking before the school board last week after her suspension, Marilyn Zuniga said her students wanted to send letters to Abu-Jamal after learning he was seriously ill.

Marilyn Zuniga: "On February 5th, I presented a 'Do Now' that stated, 'What is the main idea of this quote: So long as one just person is silenced, there is no justice.' This quote is by Mumia Abu-Jamal. In April, I mentioned to my students that Mumia was very ill, and they told me they would like to write get-well letters to Mumia. The most important fact to highlight in this entire matter is my love for and commitment to my students."

In their letter urging Zuniga’s reinstatement, top educators and scholars, including Noam Chomsky, Marc Lamont Hill and Kevin Kumashiro, dean of the University of San Francisco School of Education, wrote, "It seems to us that we are at a moment in world history where it is important to encourage teachers to help their students develop empathy for others, and to see themselves as people who want to strive to make the world a better place. How we pursue these aims is a legitimate question, but threatening to fire teachers who are trying to engage students’ hearts seems to us to be profoundly wrongheaded."

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/4/22/headlines/educators_oppose_suspension_of_new_jersey_teacher_whose_students_wrote_to_mumia_abu_jamal

(Short article, no more at link.)

[center]~ ~ ~[/center]
Mumia Abu-Jamal's Condition Has Worsened Say Supporters
Published 25 April 2015 (19 hours 11 minutes ago)


The imprisoned black activist was hospitalized last month after going into diabetic shock, his family believes his health is being deliberately neglected.


Reports from supporters indicated Friday that imprisoned black activist and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal's health condition has worsened and have called on the public to take action to save his life.

Abu-Jamal's wife told supporters that he is “gravely ill” and is experiencing swelling in his neck, chest, and legs. They added that he was unable feed himself nor remain awake during the visit by his family.

Supporters are asking the public to call the governor of Pennsylvania and the superintendent at State Correctional Institution at Mahanoy, where Abu-Jamal is jailed, and demand Abu-Jamal be allowed to see a doctor.

Abu-Jamal was hospitalized in March after going into diabetic shock, supporters believe he may be suffering from diabetes and that prison officials are deliberately neglecting his health.

More:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Mumia-Abu-Jamals-Condition-Has-Worsened-Say-Supporters-20150425-0001.html