Mumia Abu-Jamal's Radio Essays

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April 24th: Philadelphia Events in Support of Mumia! Join The International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal and Pam and Ramona Africa for the: RISE UP AND GET READY TO WORK FUNDRAISER!!! FEATURING: UMAR BIN HASSAN OF THE LAST POETS, SONIA SANCHEZ, MAMA CHARLOTTE O'NEAL, MRS. BETTY'S SON, LINN WASHINGTON, ATTORNEY LEON WILLIAMS, ATTORNEY MICHAEL COARD, SUNDIATA SADIQ, UNIVERSAL AFRICAN DANCE AND DRUM ENSEMBLE! Benefit for THE CIVIL RIGHTS CAMPAIGN to release Mumia Abu-Jamal and rally at the Justice Department in Washington, DC on APRIL 26TH!! The Justice Department has stated that if we can show there is evidence of an ongoing conspiracy to stop Mumia from having a fair trial, they will intervene. We have the proof. See freemumia.com and STAND WITH US on 4/26 in D.C. SATURDAY APRIL 24, 2010 12:00-5:00 PM AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE CENTER 1501 CHERRY ST., PHILADELPHIA, PA $15.00 DONATION (Your donation will go toward transportation to Washington, D.C. on April 26th and the on-going campaign to release Mumia!)

Friends, Brothers, Sisters: Ona Move! The anti-death penalty movement is an offshoot of the global human rights movement, as expressed by private associations, and later, by a variety of governments. It is noteworthy, then, for us to cite the state abolition of the death penalty in Kenya, in 2009. We should also note the fact that the rate of juries meting out death sentences has fallen to its lowest in 30 years. And finally, several months ago, the group that was perhaps most instrumental in fashioning the present death penalty, The American Law Institute, announced it would no longer participate in formulating laws governing the death penalty. The ALI, a distinguished group of 4,000 judges, law professors, and lawyers, were the people who initially proposed the aggravating and mitigating circumstances that the U.S. Supreme Court adopted in 1976 when it reinstated the death penalty. And yet, despite this, the death penalty is alive and well in America. Why? It makes no economic sense, but politicians are wedded to it. That’s because at its core, the death penalty derives from, and thus replaces, lynch law. Is it mere coincidence that the states which are most active in capital punishment are Southern ones? This is also generally true when we examine the establishment and expansion of the American prison system. After the Civil War, when slavery was abolished by law, states in the former confederacy established the convict lease system, where prisoners worked, without pay, for the state. One man, observing the dreadful loss of life and health for such people, called it “worse than slavery.” In essence, these states made a private institution a public one – and both Black men and women became “slaves of the state.” The U.S. death penalty system performs a similar function. It socialized, or made public, that which had been heretofore the province of individuals – lynchings. MAJ c ’10

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CELEBRATION OF THE LIVES OF DENNIS BRUTUS AND HOWARD ZINN Sunday, April 18, 2010, 1-3pm Clapp Hall, 4249 5th Ave. Across from Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel Friends, So many of us in Pittsburgh have had the great fortune to know, learn from and stand together with Dennis Brutus and Howard Zinn on many issues and in many struggles. Through their writings, films and examples they can still inspire young people to take action and help seasoned activists to keep on working for social justice and peace for the rest of our lives. Please join us at this tribute to our wonderful teachers, friends and fellow activists. The program will include speakers, who were their dear friends and collaborators, including Staughton Lynd, "The People Speak" co-producer Lisa Smith, Celeste Taylor, Paul LeBlanc and Marcus Rediker, Chair of the Pitt History Department. In addition, Howard and Dennis will be present through videos. We'll have an open mike for people to speak out or share a favorite poem or excerpt. Their books will be on sale. Spread the word widely and help make this an afternoon of celebration and inspiration. For more info 412-241-6087.

CELEBRATION OF THE LIVES OF DENNIS BRUTUS AND HOWARD ZINN Sunday, April 18, 2010, 1-3pm Clapp Hall, 4249 5th Ave. Across from Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel Friends, So many of us in Pittsburgh have had the great fortune to know, learn from and stand together with Dennis Brutus and Howard Zinn on many issues and in many struggles. Through their writings, films and examples they can still inspire young people to take action and help seasoned activists to keep on working for social justice and peace for the rest of our lives. Please join us at this tribute to our wonderful teachers, friends and fellow activists. The program will include speakers, who were their dear friends and collaborators, including Staughton Lynd, "The People Speak" co-producer Lisa Smith, Celeste Taylor, Paul LeBlanc and Marcus Rediker, Chair of the Pitt History Department. In addition, Howard and Dennis will be present through videos. We'll have an open mike for people to speak out or share a favorite poem or excerpt. Their books will be on sale. Spread the word widely and help make this an afternoon of celebration and inspiration. For more info 412-241-6087.

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Recorded 3-3-10 at Labyrinth Books in Princeton NJ

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