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MUMIA SENTENCE OVERTURNED

Death row prisoner could get life.

Former journalist and Black Panther, Mumia Abu-Jamal has been fighting his conviction for murder of a police officer since 1981. In a groundbreaking decision a federal judge threw out the death sentence last Tuesday 18th December 2001. Although the conviction still stands, Mumia's supporters all over the world will see this as a step in the direction of victory. 

FOR GENERAL UPDATES AND MUMIA's WRITINGS, always check the  Freedom Journal
CHECK OUT  Mumia's Site

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POLICE ATTACK LEADS TO STUDENT DEATH IN MALAWI

from Rastafari Speaks Forum

The International Rastafari Community would like to condemn in the strongest possible manner the recent actions of the Malawian authorities in the serious attack and assault that led to the shooting and serious wounding of several people in a Rastafarian led demonstration in the University town of Zomba during the week of December 9th – 16th 2001.

This attack comes on the heel of the yet to be fully explained and investigated death of Rasta musician and singer Evison "Prophet" Matafale while being in Police custody for being openly critical of the Malawi Government. Bearing in mind all that has transpired in recent Malawian history even before the advent of the present regime. We appeal to President Bakilu Muluzi to do all in his power to protect and prevent the reoccurrence of any further attacks on the Rastafarian Community in Malawi.

We hope that good sense prevails and those blots on the Malawian conscience would become a thing of the past. Africa has to many external enemies for those
in leadership positions, to be violently suppressing dissenting and critical views. With this in mind we call on all people of good and right conscience to send a letter, telephone or send an e-mail expressing condemnation and
abhorrence of the recent events in Malawi:

Death in Custody BBC news story
Student Protest BBC news story
Student dies as result of police bullet BBC news story

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POLICE ATTACK PROTESTERS

posted by Rainbow Majesty at RasTafari News

Check dis & see wa agwan at the Mumia rally in Philly... Judgement a come and strike down all downpressors!!! FIYAH!!!

December 8, 2001

As Over 1,000 Turn Out in Philadelphia for Mumia Abu-Jamal

PHILADELPHIA COPS AMBUSH RALLY,
BEATING & PEPPER-SPRAYING MUMIA SUPPORTERS

Ten Arrested; One Left Rally In An Ambulance


The International Action Center (IAC) condemns in the strongest terms the Philadelphia police's unprovoked and brutal attack on today's thousand-plus march in support of death row political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal.

According to one eyewitness account, on behalf of a right-wing heckler of the rally, bicycle cops towards the back of the march rode into the middle of the crowd, dismounted their bikes and, wielding guns and batons, started indiscriminately beating, pepper-spraying and arresting people. Guns were pointed at peoples' heads; others were thrown against cars.

The crowd was marching from the corner of 13th and Locust, where 20 years ago Abu-Jamal was arrested for a crime, the shooting of police officer Daniel Faulkner, he says he did not commit. Today at that location protesters viewed the videotaped confession of Arnold Beverly, who has publicly admitted to killing Officer Faulkner for the mob.

As police drew their billy clubs and guns, protesters surrounded the cops to try to protect those being arrested and/or attacked and chanted, "Let them go! Let them go!" and "Shame! Shame!" Police attacked some of these protesters.

Several IAC members were among those attacked, with some being maced and others receiving several blows from police batons. Further eyewitness reports include a woman being dragged for at least a block, choking and with her skin exposed. One person was taken off in an ambulance. In one incident, an African American reporter photographing the events from on top a car was grabbed and pulled to the ground; the attack left a dent in the car.

After the attacks, the march proceeded to the final indoor rally at Philadelphia's Ethical Society, where more spoke out in favor of Mumia's demand for his release based primarily on Beverly's confession. Protesters saw the attacks as further efforts on the part of the Philadelphia's Fraternal Order of Police to prevent the truth about Mumia's case from emerging. Those present also watched fresh video footage of the police attacks. Currently a number of protesters who traveled to Philadelphia are staying there to provide legal and political support to those who have been falsely incarcerated.

International Action Center
39 West 14th Street, Room 206
New York, NY 10011
email: iacenter@action-mail.org
En Espanol: el_iac@yahoo.com
web: http://www.iacenter.org
More info and news here Free Mumia and Freedom Journal

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MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

posted by Gman at Rastafari Speaks message board

"Right now the situation with Mumia is more critical than ever. As you may know, another man named Arnold Beverley has confessed to the murder of officer Faulkner and passed lie-detector tests, but the PA courts are refusing to consider his confession. Judge Patricia Dembe ruled yesterday that she had no jurisdiction over this case, basically meaning no action will be taken re the confession or other new evidence. Judge Yohn is expected to make a ruling as well, given his previous record we can expect him to also rule against accepting new evidence. That will leave Mumia with only one more recourse, the federal court. It is extremely difficult to get a case heard by them. The situation does not look good for our brother.

"Basically it's up to the people to generate as much heat as possible around this and put the system at notice that they cannot get away with murdering our innocent bredren, not even with all the flag-waving hysteria generated by Sept. 11th. Towards this end:

"DEC. 8th, PHILLY- Major demonstration for Mumia- all who can be there should be there. You know these system people is watching us to gauge if they can get away with murdering Mumia, we gotta represent and show them that they gonna be facing TOO MUCH heat from TOO MANY people. All who live in the NYC area, there will be buses to Philly from NYC, call 212 330 8029 or visit this page. 

More info and news here Free Mumia and Freedom Journal
 
FREE MUMIA, MOVE, LEONARD PELTIER AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!!!!"

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HELP SEND AN I-LDER HOME

Sis Nepthali sent I this. please I-mail the bredren Jah Terms for more info

"Hail in the Ilahfull name of I and I Ights giver in love and law, the black living I for all nations, Haile I Sellassie I :

Hail Sistren again this is Ras Jahterms righting the I in the forward. I pray the I hasn't forgotten the mission I and I Idren are on and I humbly ask for your assistance in this minute with love.
I and I are planning to send if H.I.M. will at least within 3 years of time an Elder forward to Ethiopia. If this is not possible then the fund will be given to help the elders in health care. It is all in serious progress and love.
I and I are not asking for money but I and I are asking for help on the book I had mentioned before. This book will fund for the help in our mission. All money raised will strictly come from the books and cassettes of binghi yants into the fund.
What I and I humbly ask for from ones and ones is to send poetry, pictures of the I's and family of Ras Tafari, reasonings and anything sightful for the book. I and I have already partially the funds to start the book so with the communities help I and I can proceed. Again all I and I ask for is help in them things. It is going to be a mostly picture book and I and I already have some pictures but we need more vibes internationally. I and I will have to be picky with picture quality so don't feel no way if not chosen. The strength is truly in the help.
You can send the vibes in care of BETA SELLASSIE P.O.BOX 555 LAYTONVILLE CALI. 95454. Also contact I through Email at jahterms@hotmail.com .
Who ever wishes to donate if chosen will receive one book or any vibes I and I could forward.
I and I are very well aware of these crucial times. So if ones and ones need to see that they need to be more well informed on this being a solid Ras Tafari project then feel no way to write us first or email I and I if confidence needed.
So GIVE THANKS for the help and hopefully I and I hear from the I and the I's bredrin and sistren soon.
P.S. If anyone needs to be kept in contact please write info on where I and I could could write in the forward. Give yanks and Ises itinually
RAS JAHTERMS, IYASTA YOOLIE I "

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