4/6 - Audio of Mumia's statement re: Supreme Court decision
4/6 - Article by Jeff Mackler re: Supreme Court decision
4/24 - Celebrate the release of Mumia's new book and his birthday Download 4/24 Poster


Dear Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal,

Here is Mumia's response to Monday's (April 6, 2009) U.S. Supreme Court decision rejecting his appeal (petition for a writ of certiorari). The court made no comment other than to place Mumia's name on a long list of all rejected appeals. The court, having no legal obligation to grant such appeals, traditionally rejects 98 percent of all such requests.

In Mumia's case the central appeal issue was the famous Batson v. Kentucky case Supreme Court decision wherein the racist exclusion of Blacks was deemed to negate any conviction in death penalty cases. Subsequent U.S. Supreme Court decisions strengthened Batson, ruling that the exclusion of even a single juror on account of rase violated the U.S. Constitution and required that any conviction based on such exclusion be reversed.

In Mumia's 1982 trial, 11 of 14 Black jurors were excluded without cause. Note that Mumia mentions a 1986 or 1987 training tape produced by the State of Pennsylvania that literally instructs prosecutors how to exclude Black jurors.

The audio interview below was conducted Monday morning by Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan.
Click here for Mumia's 4/6 interview

The Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal has every intention of continuing the fight for Mumia's freedom. Stay tuned for upcoming protests and nationally-coordinated campaigns.

To add your name to our postal mailing list as well, please reply to this email.

In solidarity,

Jeff Mackler and Laura Herrera, Co-coordinators
Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
510-268-9429

_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._

BY JEFF MACKLER
The U.S. Supreme Court refused on April 6 Mumia Abu-Jamal's appeal (writ of certiorari) for a new trial based on the racist exclusion of 14 Blacks from the jury panel in his 1982 frame-up murder trial. The decision left in place Mumia's conviction and turned a blind eye to its own ruling in the famous Batson v. Kentucky case and related decisions that nullify murder convictions where Blacks are systematically excluded from juries without cause. The court ruled without comment.
Even worse, the court left open the possibility that it might consider Pennsylvania prosecutors' cross appeal to re-instate the death penalty without granting Mumia a new sentencing hearing. A previous ruling had voided the jury's imposition of the death penalty on the grounds that "hanging" Judge Albert Sabo had improperly instructed the jury regarding mitigating circumstances sufficient to impose a sentence of life imprisonment without parole as opposed to execution by lethal injection. Should the court later rule in favor of the prosecution, an order for Mumia's execution by lethal injection could be signed by the Pennsylvania's governor and Mumia could be executed in approximately 90 days.
Meanwhile Mumia's attorney, Robert R. Bryan, told this writer, "We have lost a battle but not the war." Bryan plans to file another petition before the Supreme Court for a re-hearing on a critical issue related to the death penalty, thus keeping Mumia's legal options alive, at least for the time being.
Abu-Jamal, an award-winning and innocent journalist and author, has been on Pennsylvania's death row for 27 years. He has won broad international support for his struggle for a new trial and freedom. Organizations ranging from Amnesty International and the European Parliament to the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Presidents of France and South Africa and civil and human rights organizations around the world have repeatedly challenged the racist and anti-democratic aspects surrounding his conviction.
Massive and repeated protests organized by groups including the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal (215-476-8812) and The Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal (510-268-9429) have played a key role in the ongoing fight for Mumia's freedom. They are presently planning new campaigns that require the solidarity of all.

_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._

JAILHOUSE LAWYERS and MUMIA'S BIRTHDAY 4/24/09

Mumia has published a new book, "Jailhouse Lawyers - Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A." and to celebrate its publication, and Mumia's Birthday, the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal encourages everyone to attend the important event at Humanist Hall in Oakland on April 24th organized by Prison Radio, Prisoners of Conscience Committee, Block Report, and other organizations. Hear Angela Y. Davis, Lynne Stewart, Tony Serra and many other speakers and performers. Please see the attachment for further details and make plans to attend this historic event!

Download 4/24 Poster

_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._

From: icffmaj@aol.com
International Friends and Family of Mumia Abu-Jamal

Friday 4/24, Philadelphia, MORE THAN A BOOK RELEASE! A CELEBRATION OF JAILHOUSE LAWYERS! Featuring all the authors from throughout the week as well as Paul Wright, editor of Prison Legal News, Amin, formerly "Harold Wilson," - freed from death row in the US, Ramona Africa of the MOVE Organization, Steven Hawkins, Executive Vice President of the NAACP, Linn Washington Jr., Philadelphia Tribune Columnist, Temple U Professor of Journalism, I Abdul Jon, longtime supporter of MOVE and Mumia, featured in "Prison Lawyers," Sonia Sanchez, renowned poet and activist, Goldi, daughter of Wadiya and Mumia, Seeds of Wisdom, MOVE's Revolutionary hip hop group, and many more!
Where: Church of the Advocate, 1801 W. Diamond St., Philadelphia, PA
When: 6 pm

Saturday 4/25, NYC, More Than a Book Party: A Tribute to Jailhouse Lawyers
Where: Riverside Church, 120th St. & Claremont Ave., Room 411, MLK Wing
When: 4 pm
Contact: 212 330 8029 or www.freemumia.com

Sunday, 4/26, NYC, CEMOTAP 5th Great Debate on łThe Death Penalty and Mumia Abu Jamal˛
Where: Salem United Methodist Church, 129th and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.
When: 3 pm