by Rebecca Doran & Jeff Mackler / January 2006 issue of Socialist Action newspaper Stanley Tookie Williams' executioners took nearly 15 minutes to find a vein to inject into his body the chemicals that would kill this proud and courageous fighter for human dignity. Death for Williams came approximately 35 excruciating minutes after he was … Continue reading The Murder of Stanley Tookie Williams
Category: Prisons
Major Court Victory for Mumia!
by Jeff Mackler / December 2005 issue of Socialist Action newspaper In a decision that will likely stun the Pennsylvania legal establishment that has been trying to railroad death-row political prisoner and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal to the execution chambers for 24 years, the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Third Circuit, reversed two critical Federal … Continue reading Major Court Victory for Mumia!
Last Minute Battle to Stop Tookie Williams Execution
by Rebecca Doran / November 2005 issue of Socialist Action newspaper On Oct. 11 the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the final appeal of San Quentin death row inmate Stanley Tookie Williams. This decision by the high court upheld a February 2005 decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that had upheld Williams’ … Continue reading Last Minute Battle to Stop Tookie Williams Execution
Mumia Wins & Loses in the Courts
by Jeff Mackler / July 2005 issue of Socialist Action newspaper The June 13 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Thomas Miller-El v. Dretke, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice opens the door wide for a new trial for journalist, and innocent political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. Jamal has been on Pennsylvania's … Continue reading Mumia Wins & Loses in the Courts
Worldwide Protests Against War
On the weekend of March 18-20, hundreds of thousands took to the streets in over 1000 cities throughout the world to demand an end to the U.S.-led war and occupation in Iraq. The events marked the end of the Iraq war’s second year. One of the largest rallies was in London, where organizers estimated … Continue reading Worldwide Protests Against War
Frightened Jurors Convict Attorney Lynne Stewart
by Jeff Mackler / March 2005 issue of Socialist Action On Feb. 10 a New York federal district court jury convicted progressive attorney Lynne Stewart on five felony-count charges of conspiracy to aid and abet terrorism, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and making false statements to the government. The frame-up charges stemmed … Continue reading Frightened Jurors Convict Attorney Lynne Stewart
Court Overturns Conviction of Death Row Inmate Kevin Richey
by Rebecca Doran – February, 2005 On Jan. 25, Ohio prisoner Kenny Richey—internationally known as the Innocent Scot on Death Row—was granted a victory by the federal courts. This ruling in favor of Richey, which overturned his disputed 1987 conviction and sentence of death, was handed down by the Sixth Circuit Court of … Continue reading Court Overturns Conviction of Death Row Inmate Kevin Richey
New Evidence in the Case of Kevin Cooper
by Rebecca Doran – February, 2005 On the evening of Jan. 18, the gates of San Quentin State Prison in northern California once again became the scene of protest as officials prepared the death chamber for its next victim. Over 400 anti-death-penalty activists rallied outside, braving hours of bitter cold temperatures in the … Continue reading New Evidence in the Case of Kevin Cooper
Review of William Kunstler’s “The Emerging Police State”
by Joe Auciello – February, 2005 The countless number of jokes about lawyers reveals a fear and animosity towards members of this profession, which, to the average citizen, appears powerful and mysterious. Only in fiction—and the self-serving autobiographies that read like fiction—does the lawyer emerge as the admirable figure, the hero. Think of Perry … Continue reading Review of William Kunstler’s “The Emerging Police State”
National Civil Liberties Conference to Focus on Mumia Abu-Jamal
By JEFF MACKLER The Northern California-based Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal will host, along with the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California at Berkeley, a national conference that will situate Mumia's fight for life and freedom in the context of the post 9-11 assault on civil liberties and democratic rights. The Nov. … Continue reading National Civil Liberties Conference to Focus on Mumia Abu-Jamal
Mumia’s Attorneys Appeal Court’s Refusal to Hear Frame-Up Evidence
By JEFF MACKLER One year ago, the attorneys representing Mumia Abu-Jamal filed a sworn declaration by award-winning Philadelphia Court Reporter Terri Maurer-Carter stating that at the time of Mumia's 1982 trial, in the anteroom to Judge Albert Sabo's courtroom, she overheard the judge state in relation to Mumia's case, "Yeah, and I'm going to help … Continue reading Mumia’s Attorneys Appeal Court’s Refusal to Hear Frame-Up Evidence
Activists Mobilize to Defend Mumia
The case of the world's most well-known death row political prisoner and innocent man, Mumia Abu-Jamal, was an integral part of the mass antiwar mobilizations on April 20 in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. Taped messages from Mumia opposing U.S. moves in the Middle East were played at both demonstrations. Speakers for Mumia's defense addressed … Continue reading Activists Mobilize to Defend Mumia
Courts Ignore Proof of Mumia’s Innocence
By JEFF MACKLER Federal District Court Judge William H. Yohn's Dec. 18 decision to overturn the 1982 death sentence imposed on Mumia Abu-Jamal was a product of the worldwide movement in Mumia's defense. The political price of killing Mumia, an innocent man serving his 20th year on Pennsylvania's death row for a murder he did … Continue reading Courts Ignore Proof of Mumia’s Innocence
In Struggle, from Death Row at San Quentin Prison: WAR
By KEVIN COOPER War is defined as: 1) A state or period of conflict or armed conflict between nations or states. 2) A determined struggle or attack. 3) A condition of antagonism or conflict. 4) The techniques or procedures of war, military science. 5) A concerted effort to put down, reduce, or exterminate a group … Continue reading In Struggle, from Death Row at San Quentin Prison: WAR
Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal: Silent, Hidden Terrorism
By MUMIA ABU-JAMAL The envoys, public relations specialists, and apologists for the Bush administration tell all that their's is a global, borderless war against terrorism, and "all who harbor terrorists." This glib threat has justified the American entry and intervention into nations as diverse as Somalia, the Philippines and the Indonesian islands, in a search … Continue reading Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal: Silent, Hidden Terrorism
Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Statement to Anti-WEF Protests: Who Benefits from War?
By MUMIA ABU-JAMAL When George II (or is it III?) was enthroned in the White House by the Gang of Five of the Supreme Court, as a kind of American Emperor, a thought came to mind, chillingly: There will be a war. It came with such a clarity that it was surprising. Why? A couple … Continue reading Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Statement to Anti-WEF Protests: Who Benefits from War?
In Struggle from Death Row – Worth More Dead than Alive
By KEVIN COOPER Since 1983, when I was first arrested and charged with the murders which landed me on death row, the county, state, and federal governments of the state of California have spent over 10 million dollars to have me executed. A lot is spent on every person on death row. Some cases require … Continue reading In Struggle from Death Row – Worth More Dead than Alive
Federal Judge Overturns Mumia Death Sentence – Upholds Murder Conviction
By JEFF MACKLER There is no doubt that the Dec. 18, 2001, decision of Federal District Court Judge William H. Yohn Jr. to overturn the 1982 death sentence imposed on the award-winning journalist and human rights fighter Mumia Abu-Jamal was a product of the worldwide movement in his defense. The political price of killing Mumia, … Continue reading Federal Judge Overturns Mumia Death Sentence – Upholds Murder Conviction
Free Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin!
The struggle for the freedom and liberty of Atlanta Muslim leader Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin must take place now, before the cold fingers of the state can close around his neck. Imam Jamil [formerly known as H. Rap Brown] has already received what can only be called a biased and prejudicial press, which has sought … Continue reading Free Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin!
Federal Court Ruling Opens New Doors for Mumia
By JEFF MACKLER A critical ruling by Judge J. Curtis Joyner, issued in federal court on Nov. 6, may force the Pennsylvania state court to grant Mumia Abu-Jamal a hearing where evidence proving his innocence can be presented. Mumia Abu-Jamal, an award-winning African American journalist, was charged with murdering Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner … Continue reading Federal Court Ruling Opens New Doors for Mumia
Portland’s New Mumia Coalition
PORTLAND, Ore.- On Aug. 17, Portlanders responded to the call for an Emergency Mass demonstration for Mumia Abu-Jamal's scheduled Philadelphia hearing. The busy noon crowd at Pioneer Square saw 72 supporters chanting and marching. Volunteers signed up at the rally to participate in a coalition for future events. As a result, on Sept. 5, people … Continue reading Portland’s New Mumia Coalition
Confession Tape Establishes Mumia’s Innocence
By JEFF MACKLER The fight to free innocent political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal took a dramatic step forward on Sept. 8 when a seven-minute video-taped confession to the murder of Officer Daniel Faulkner was submitted to the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia. The confessed killer, Arnold Beverly, states in the video that he, not … Continue reading Confession Tape Establishes Mumia’s Innocence
FREE MUMIA NOW! STOP THE EXECUTION!
By JEFF MACKLER The U.S. criminal injustice system continues to grind out one absurdity after another in the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. As the hollow formalities of capitalist law are observed, the judicial machine presses on to drive Mumia, an innocent political prisoner and award-winning journalist, to the death chamber. On Aug. 17 Pennsylvania Court … Continue reading FREE MUMIA NOW! STOP THE EXECUTION!
Another Death Row Prisoner Released
By PAUL M. Charles Fain was released from prison in Idaho on Aug. 23 after nearly 18 years on death row. DNA tests proved that he wasn't responsible for the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl, for which he was convicted in 1982. The tests were performed on three hairs found on the clothing … Continue reading Another Death Row Prisoner Released
Hearing Scheduled for Kevin Cooper Case
By PAUL M. An evidentiary hearing will take place this month to examine the possibility that police tampered with crucial DNA evidence in the case of Kevin Cooper. Cooper is on death row at San Quentin State Prison in California. In 1985 he was convicted of murdering a Southern California family. There is strong evidence … Continue reading Hearing Scheduled for Kevin Cooper Case