Category: Black Liberation

U.S. Fight Against Racism and Repression Reaches New Heights

By JEFF MACKLER Today’s unprecedented mobilizations began with the police murder of George Floyd. But their depth and staying power is equally a reflection of the mass anger and frustration stemming from all the insults to one’s being that capitalism has inflicted on working class America, and especially the nation’s Black, Brown and Native American communities.

Eric Garner case finally heard — in a cops’ court

By MARTY GOODMAN UPDATED: July 18 — On the 5th anniversary of the police murder of Eric Garner, July 17, the “Justice Department” announced, as the five-year statute of limitations expired, that they would not prosecute Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who had placed a chokehold on Garner, causing his death. The decision to end a civil … Continue reading Eric Garner case finally heard — in a cops’ court →

Free at last! Three members of the MOVE 9 released from prison

By STEVE XAVIER Political prisoner Eddie Goodman Africa, a member of the MOVE 9, was released from prison on the morning of June 2, after 40 years of unjust incarceration. Janet Holloway Africa and Janine Phillips Africa were also released recently (on May 25), becoming the third and fourth MOVE members to be set free … Continue reading Free at last! Three members of the MOVE 9 released from prison →

Black teacher’s job is in limbo

By CAROLINE WINSLOW America has long lauded its school system as a Great Equalizer—a tool that provides all students, regardless of social standing, with the tools necessary to succeed. Thus, goes the narrative, all differences in outcome can be attributed to individual choices, absolving capitalism and the structures tied to it of their responsibility. Education … Continue reading Black teacher’s job is in limbo →

Mumia Abu-Jamal: An Evening for Justice and Freedom

By JEFF MACKLER Two months in the planning, the April 6 public forum at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Berkeley represented a profound contribution to renewing the justice and freedom struggle of the innocent and framed for murder political prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal. A capacity-filling multi-racial and multi-generational crowd of 400 people, including a broad range … Continue reading Mumia Abu-Jamal: An Evening for Justice and Freedom →

Mumia Abu-Jamal victory: Philadelphia DA withdraws his appeal

By JEFF MACKLER The sensational news on April 17 that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner withdrew his appeal of Superior Court Judge Leon Tucker’s granting of new appeal rights to Mumia Abu-Jamal represents a major breakthrough in Mumia’s 37-year freedom struggle. Krasner’s decision opens the door wide to re-building a broad and decisive movement in … Continue reading Mumia Abu-Jamal victory: Philadelphia DA withdraws his appeal →

Keep the pressure on DA Krasner to free Mumia!

By JOHN LESLIE  On Dec. 28, one day after the decision by Judge Leon Tucker opening the door to further appeals by Mumia Abu-Jamal, employees of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office “found” six boxes in a storage space, while allegedly looking for office furniture. Five of the six boxes are marked with the name McCann, … Continue reading Keep the pressure on DA Krasner to free Mumia! →

Mumia Abu-Jamal wins major court victory

BY JEFF MACKLER On Dec. 27, Philadelphia Superior Court Judge Leon Tucker ruled in favor of Mumia Abu-Jamal, holding that the actions of former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge Ronald Castille had demonstrated a “lack of impartiality” and “the appearance of bias.” Tucker’s decision represents a major victory for Abu-Jamal, which opens the door to a … Continue reading Mumia Abu-Jamal wins major court victory →

Justice for Connecticut police victims!

By RUWAN MUNASINGHE — HARTFORD, Conn. — On Dec. 14, 2017, Hartford lost one of its greatest legends when 20-year-old Zoe Dowdell—also known as Gangstalicious—was shot and killed by New Britain police. Caleb Tisdol and Noah Young (also known as “Skinny), the others in the car, were convicted on various charges and are currently incarcerated. … Continue reading Justice for Connecticut police victims! →

Pack the courtroom for Mumia on Aug. 30!

By MICHAEL SCHREIBER — PHILADELPHIA — Oral arguments on behalf of political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal will take place here on Aug. 30 before Judge Leon Tucker of the city and county Court of Common Pleas. Defense activists plan to fill the courtroom and to demonstrate outside to demand a new trial for Mumia and his … Continue reading Pack the courtroom for Mumia on Aug. 30! →

Cecil Taylor: Jazz revolutionary, 1929-2018

By MARTY GOODMAN “Technique is a weapon to do whatever must be done.”— Cecil Taylor “Conquistador” was the first Cecil Taylor jazz album that I ever heard. It astonished me, and the title piece nailed me to the wall with its dangerous, urban sound. Taylor’s sideman, Jimmy Lyons, blew amazing sax riffs; the coolest, hippest, … Continue reading Cecil Taylor: Jazz revolutionary, 1929-2018 →

A reprieve for death-row prisoner Kevin Cooper?

By JEFF MACKLER Executions are scheduled at one minute after midnight at San Quentin Prison, just over the San Rafael Bridge in Marin County and overlooking the San Francisco skyline. On the cold winter night of Feb. 10, 2004, death-row inmate Kevin Cooper was being fully prepped for the hereafter, dressed in a new set … Continue reading A reprieve for death-row prisoner Kevin Cooper? →

Philadelphia DA’s office stonewalls at hearing for Mumia Abu-Jamal

By JOHN LESLIE The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office continues to stonewall in the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. At a court hearing on April 30, prosecutors failed, once again, to produce a memorandum allegedly signed by former Philadelphia District Attorney and retired Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille. Under the 2016 Williams v. Pennsylvania … Continue reading Philadelphia DA’s office stonewalls at hearing for Mumia Abu-Jamal →