from Unicorn Riot
Philadelphia, PA – After 40 years of incarceration, the movement to free Mumia Abu-Jamal continues. Hundreds gathered with a giant Mumia puppet outside Philadelphia’s City Hall near the statue of Octavius V. Catto before marching through streets south of Center City on December 11, 2021.
Unicorn Riot was live for the rally and march:
Mumia, a journalist and radio newscaster for National Public Radio in the 1970s, was sentenced to death after being convicted of killing Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. The movement that supports him has long seen him as a leading example of a political prisoner punished for supporting Black liberation in the United States, and a symbol of a racist system. He’s always claimed his innocence, and since his incarceration began, the mass movement has continued pushing for the government to release him from prison. Even though his death sentence was overturned in 2001, he was commuted to a life sentence without parole in 2011.
As speakers on the march explained, some supporters believe a new trial could clear him, but the review of his conviction has languished in higher courts. District Attorney Larry Krasner and his team found six boxes of documents that the defense never received. Although Krasner is known as more of a reformer than his corrupted predecessor Rufus Seth Williams, Krasner’s reluctance to push for review of this case drew an investigation from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
A few of the speakers at the December 11 rally included Pam Africa (MOVE), Gabriel Bryant, Rev. Keith Collins, Suzanne Ross, Jacky Hortaut (from France), and Cindy Lou.
During the march, Pam Africa spoke to Unicorn Riot about organizing for Mumia’s freedom since day one. She said just because he’s not free doesn’t mean the movement is weak. “We’re not without, we are with. We’re not 40 years weaker, we’re 40 years strong.“
Mumia has had a myriad of health issues lately and has not received the greatest care while in prison. Besides contracting COVID-19 in prison, Mumia is struggling against hepatitis and trying to recover from recent open heart surgery.
Steve, one of the speakers and participants in the demonstration, came all the way from France with his friend to show solidarity to Mumia—he has been organizing demonstrations in France at locations like the U.S. Embassy for years. During the march, Steve shared with Unicorn Riot their recent experience visiting Mumia in prison. Steve said that Mumia was smiling behind his mask and in good spirits and also writing again.
Unicorn Riot also streamed a similar rally in Philadelphia in April 2021.
Supporters maintain websites about the effort to free Mumia, including FreeMumia.com, BringMumiaHome.com, and the French site, Libérons Mumia!
