Category: Prisons

No Death Sentence for Mumia Abu-Jamal

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced on Wednesday, Dec. 7, that he would NOT seek a new sentencing hearing to execute innocent death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal. On October 11, 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court, affirming two federal court decisions in the same case, effectively ruled that the sentencing portion of Mumia's 1982 trial was … Continue reading No Death Sentence for Mumia Abu-Jamal →

Supreme Court rejects Mumia death penalty

The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 11 rejected the fourth effort in 30 years by Philadelphia prosecutors to execute innocent death-row political prisoner, award-winning journalist, and murder frame-up victim Mumia Abu-Jamal.In refusing to hear an appeal by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, the High Court essentially affirmed that the sentencing instructions given to the jury … Continue reading Supreme Court rejects Mumia death penalty →

Mumia on Occupy Wall Street

In Lower Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park (renamed “Liberty Square” by the demonstrators), the cast of thousands swell in rebellion against the betrayals by the banks, Wall Street’s relentless greed, the plague of joblessness and the craven servility of the political class—both Republicans and Democrats—to their moneyed masters.  In short, the central focus of their protest is … Continue reading Mumia on Occupy Wall Street →

For Troy Davis and Mumia Abu-Jamal

Friday, Dec. 9, marks the 30th anniversary of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s incarceration on frame-up murder charges. Amnesty International, the NAACP, city and national governments, national labor unions, and prominent human rights groups and individuals around the world have backed Mumia’s demand for justice and his insistence on his innocence—as they did for Troy Davis.Mumia is still on … Continue reading For Troy Davis and Mumia Abu-Jamal →

Interview with political prisoner Lynne Stewart

Attorney and political prisoner Lynne Stewart was interviewed by mail by Patricia Vickers, a founding member of the Human Rights Coalition (HRC) of Pennsylvania. Ms. Vickers is the co-founder/editor of The Movement magazine of the HRC. A former 1960s student activist, Ms. Vickers is an eco-feminist whose youngest son, Kerry “Shakaboona” Marshall, was a wrongly … Continue reading Interview with political prisoner Lynne Stewart →

Calif. prisoners wage daring hunger strike

SAN FRANCISCO—In the spring of 2011, prisoners inside Northern California’s Pelican Bay State Prison contacted Bay Area prisoners’ rights and prison abolition organizations and requested support for an indefinite rolling hunger strike against 20-40 years of mental and physical torture. The strike would begin July 1.The hunger strike organizers included 50-100 men in the prison’s … Continue reading Calif. prisoners wage daring hunger strike →

The Tanya McDowell Case and the Fight Against the New Jim Crow

Through the recession, Black and Latino families have been hit the hardest leading to the highest disparity of wealth in a quarter century. Unemployment rates for minorities are twice as high as those of whites. The average net worth of a white person is 20 times higher than that of Blacks.In Norwalk, Conn., Tanya McDowell, … Continue reading The Tanya McDowell Case and the Fight Against the New Jim Crow →

Support Still Needed for Prisoner Hunger Strike!

Mediators from Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity’s Mediation team spoke with hunger strike leaders at Pelican Bay and confirmed the leaders have accepted an offer from the California Dept. of Corrections & Rehabilitation. At the same time, hunger strikers in other prisons continue to refuse food  – in at least CCI Tehachapi, Corcoran and Calipatria. It … Continue reading Support Still Needed for Prisoner Hunger Strike! →

California Prisoners on Hunger Strike!

At the notorious California super-maximum prison, Pelican Bay, hundreds of prisoners are on a hunger strike. As of July 1,  2011 a number of men ceased eating state meals in protest of horrendously long-term confinement, government repression, lack of programs and the hated gang affiliation rules.According to California Prison Focus, the health of some the … Continue reading California Prisoners on Hunger Strike! →

Mumia Wins Critical Court Decision

by Jeff Mackler, the director of the Northern California-based Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal.The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia ruled on April 26 that world-renowned and innocent death-row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal must either receive a new sentencing hearing within six months or have his 1982 jury-imposed death-penalty sentence reversed and … Continue reading Mumia Wins Critical Court Decision →

Close Guantánamo with Justice Now!

Presented at the July 23-25, 2010 National Anti-War Conference, Albany, New York by the Center for Constitutional Rights Shortly after taking office President Obama signed an executive order promising to close Guantánamo within a year. Not only has he broken his promise by indefinitely delaying the closure of this notorious prison, but he has extended … Continue reading Close Guantánamo with Justice Now! →

Lynne Stewart sentenced to ten years in prison

by Jeff Mackler(Jeff Mackler is the West Coast Director of the Lynne Stewart Defense Committee.)The full force of the U.S. criminal “justice” system came down on innocent political prisoner, 30-year veteran human rights attorney and radical political activist Lynne Stewart today, July 15, 2010. In an obviously pre-prepared one hour and twenty minute technical tour … Continue reading Lynne Stewart sentenced to ten years in prison →

Innocent Lynne Stewart Faces 30-year Jail Sentence

by Jeff Mackler The full force of the U.S. criminal “justice” system is today aimed at innocent political prisoner, 30-year human rights attorney and radical political activist Lynne Stewart. On July 15 Federal District Court John Koeltl, who in 2005 sentenced Stewart to 28 months in prison following her frame-up trial and jury conviction on … Continue reading Innocent Lynne Stewart Faces 30-year Jail Sentence →

Supreme Court Opens Door to Mumia’s Execution

by Jeff MacklerIn a dangerous decision and a break with its own precedent, the U.S. Supreme Court, on Jan. 15 opened the door wide to Pennsylvania prosecutors’ efforts to execute innocent political prisoner, murder frame-up victim, award-winning journalist and world renowned “Voice of the Voiceless,” Mumia Abu-Jamal. Six months earlier, on April 6, the Supreme … Continue reading Supreme Court Opens Door to Mumia’s Execution →

Lynne Stewart jailed; loses appeal Appeals court seeks extended sentence

by Jeff MacklerThe following article appears in the December issue of Socialist Action newspaper. The Nov. 16 decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, to reject radical New York attorney Lynne Stewart’s appeal of her 2005 frame-up conviction on five counts of aiding and abetting terrorism is a legal and political atrocity. The … Continue reading Lynne Stewart jailed; loses appeal Appeals court seeks extended sentence →