Dear Renaissance Network, Oct. 31 One of the most important things that happened on my recent trip to Montreal, maybe even the most important thing, was being able to buy a copy of Mumia Abu-Jamal's _Death Blossoms_. It is, I think, a truly great book. I suppose I ought to be in bed (but I will not have time to do this tomorrow and it is important for us to act on Mumia's behalf as soon as possible). I want to share with you just a bit of what Mumia's writing is like (enough hopefully that you will 1) buy his books and 2) help get him out of prison). Here, then, is one section entitled: "a Write-up for Writing". On June 3, 1995, one day after being served with a death warrant, I was served with a "write-up", a misconduct report for "engaging in a business or profession", i.e. as a journalist. So strongly does the State object to me writing what you are now reading that they have begun to punish me, while I'm in the most punitive section the system allows, for dating to speak and write the truth. The institutional offense? My book, _Live from Death Row_. It paints an uncomplimentary picture of a prison system that calls itself "correctional" but does little more than corrupt human souls; a system that eats hundreds of millions of dollars a year to torture, maim and mutilate tens of thousands of men and women; a system that teaches bitterness and hones hatred. Clearly what the government wants is not just death, but silence. A "correct" inmate is a silent one. One who speaks, writes and exposes horror for what it is, is given a "misconduct". Is that a correct system? A system of corrections? In this department of the state government, the First Amendment is a nullity. It doesn't apply. No one - not a cop, nor a guard - can find one lie in _Live from Death Row_; indeed, it is precisely because of its truth that it is a target of the state and its minions - a truth they don't want you to see. Consider: Why haven't you seen, heard or read anything like this on TV, radio, or in the papers? Newspapers, radio, and TV are increasingly the property of wealthy individuals and therefore reflect the perspective of the rich and the established, not the poor and the powerless. In _Live from Death Row_, you hear the voices of the many, the oppressed, the damned, and the bombed. I paid a high price to bring it to you, and I will pay more; but I tell you, I would do it a thousand times, no matter what the cost, because it is right! To quote John Africa; "When you are committed to doing what is right, the power of righteousness will never betray you..." It was right to write _live from Death Row_, and it's right for you to read it, no matter what cop, guard, prisoncrat, politician, or media mouthpiece tells you otherwise. Every day of your life, no doubt, you've heard of "freedom of speech" and "freedom of the press". But what can such "freedom" mean without the freedom to read, or to hear, what you want? As you read this, know that I am being punished by the governement for writing _live from Death Row_, and for writing these very words. Indeed, I've been punished by the United States government for my writings since I was fifteen years of age - but I've kept right on writing. YOU KEEP RIGHT ON READING! back to Jan: Having read this little book, (with its great foreword by Cornel West, preface by Julia Wright and "to the reader" by Bruderhof member Steve Wiser) I am convinced that Mumia Abu-Jamal is indeed a prisoner of conscience, that he was framed so as to be put in prison (and maybe killed). He has come very close to being killed already (apparently extensive protests prevented the execution from being carried out on Aug. 17, 1995, as had been planned...) Just as our window of opportunity to work together towards a better world is fragile, the window of opportunity to save Mumia, surely one of America's most noble and beautiful souls, is likewise small. Yours in hope, Jan *********************************************************************** Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 16:46:25 -0800 (PST) From: MichaelP <•••@••.•••> Subject: State supreme ct denies Mumia appeal for new trial Mumia Abu Jamal Appeal Denied Author: International Action Center Email: •••@••.••• Date: 1998/10/30 _________________________________________________________________ October 30, 1998 3:30 p.m. Mumia Abu Jamal's New Trial Appeal Denied Death row political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal's appeal for a new trial, which was before the State Supreme Court of Pennsylvania was denied today. The order was signed by Justice Ronald Castillo who as District attorney played a key role in denying a new trial to Mumia ten years ago. At that time as DA Castillo signed all the prosecution's briefs filed against Mumia's appeal to the State Supreme Court. Pennsylvania's Governor Thomas Ridge claimed that he was ready to sign a new death warrant when the appeal was denied. A death warrant might be signed as early as today. Activists around the country have been preparing for demonstrations for the day after a negative court decision. In New York City, organizers from the New York Mumia Coalition have announced a demonstration Saturday, October 31, in front of Grand Central Station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue South at 4:00 p.m.. Call 212 330 8029 the hot-line number for information. According to the NY Mumia Coalition organizer, Safia Bukhari, "This decision is an outrage. We plan to fight the racist so called "justice system" all the way. This Judge Castille, who signed the order, has a major conflict of interest. Not only was he instrumental in the denial of Mumia's original appeal, he was responsible for making an instructional video tape that kept African-Americans off juries in Philadelphia for years. "We plan to demonstrate in New York this Saturday at Grand Central Station and go to Philadelphia next Saturday, November 7th to join with our brothers and sisters there to express our outrage at the attempted lynching of Mumia Abu Jamal." For information go to: http://www.mumia.com or call 212-330-8029 - ---------------------------------------- International Action Center 39 West 14th Street, #206 New York, NY 10011 212-633-6646 212-633-2889 fax e-mail: •••@••.••• web page: http://www.iacenter.org _________________________________________________________________ Email a Friend - -- For MAI-not (un)subscription information, posting guidelines and links to other MAI sites please see http://mai.flora.org/
