Time's Man of the Year. Vote for Mumia Abu Jamal

By Rafael Martinez <acero@rocketmail.com>, 21 December 1998

Award-winning journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted in 1982 of killing a white Philadelphia police officer. Despite witnesses saying that he didn't shoot the officer, and no forensic evidence offered and prosecution witnesses admitting they lied at his trial due to police intimidation, Mumia has had his appeal for another trial turned down.

The Pennsylvania governor is set to sign Mumia's death warrant imminently and the execution will take place between 30 and 90 days after signing. The police have put massive political pressure on the US state to execute Mumia (including their placement of a full page ad in The New York Times demanding his death). At his trial, the prosecution demanded the death penalty because Mumia's previous membership of the Black Panther Party proved his political leanings. The case against Mumia Abu-Jamal is politically motivated and unless there's an international outcry, the US state of Pennsylvania will execute him for a crime he didn't commit. One simple thing you can do is to let the mainstream press know that people care bout this case(even if they have overlooked it). Time magazine is now collecting votes for their Man of The Year issue. By voting for Mumia you not only raise awareness aout his case, hopefully helping him to receive a new, fair trial, but also let the police and government in the US know that people will no longer stand by and watch them railroad politcal dissenters into prison in order to silence them, and that the use of the courts to do so is no longer acceptable. This is not just about one black political activist, it is about anyone who is seen as different and is therefore suspect.

In just two days, Mumia Abu-Jamal has become # 7 on Time Magazine's Man of The Year List. We may not be able to catch Matthew Shepard, but should have no problem getting Mumia to come in at #2. If you have not yet voted, please do so at the below address. Voting is over soon, so do so immediately. Also get all of your friends and acquaintences to vote, or use their computers to it yourself. If they don't have a computer, make them write a letter.

Please forward this message to everyone you know.