Philadelphia events demand freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal
Workers World, 12/13/24: “Demonstrators in countries around the world this week marked the 43rd anniversary of the unjust and illegal imprisonment of Pennsylvania political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was arrested and brutalized by Philadelphia police on Dec. 9, 1981.
At the time, Mumia was falsely accused of the murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner and found guilty in a trial that was widely seen as racist and manipulated.
An impressive teach-in on the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, political prisoners and the prison-industrial complex took place Dec. 7 at Community College of Philadelphia, Center for Business and Industry. The teach-in was hosted by the Black Studies department and chaired by Gabe Bryant with Mobilization4Mumia.
The event kicked off with a phone call from Abu-Jamal, who discussed the importance of dismantling the prison industrial complex. He praised the remarkable things done by the movement against mass incarceration despite tremendous odds.
Responding to a question from an activist fighting against a Cop City in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Abu-Jamal said: ‘More cops in the U.S. will never mean less crime. Millions are spent to pay for civil damages when police violate peoples’ civil rights. The cops protect the rich and corporate power. They do not protect us.'”