Book Release Commemorates Mumia Abu-Jamal Case
A New Book Keeps Activism Alive For Death Row Inmate
© Jon Pike
Apr 25, 2009
Activists are commemorating the 55th birthday of one of the United State’s most celebrated death-row inmates. Several bookstores in cities around the United States observed the release of Jailhouse Lawyers. This is the latest effort by Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. Some of the cities where the event called “More Than A Book Party” were held include:
- Philadelphia
- New York
- San Francisco
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Boston
- Woodstock
Abu-Jamal was born Wesley Cook in Philadelphia. Activists have contended that Abu-Jamal was wrongly convicted and have been fighting his conviction for the last couple of decades. In the meantime, Abu-Jamal has written books, and journalistic pieces during his incarceration. Jamal had a long history of political activism and independent journalism at the time of his conviction. At the time, he made most of his money as a cab driver. He also had a history of being a member of the Black Panther Party.
Recent Legal Efforts On Abu-Jamal’s Behalf
The United States Supreme Court recently declined to hear Abu-Jamal’s appeal for a guilt-phase trial. Abu-Jamal’s defense team is putting together a petition for re-hearing to go before the Supreme Court. Activists are petitioning United States Attorney General Eric Holder to intervene in the case on civil rights grounds. Anti-death penalty activists, civil rights activists, and others have flocked to Abu-Jamal’s side over the past couple of decades.
The latest efforts on behalf of Abu-Jamal are based on the United States Supreme Court case, Batson v. Kentucky. The lawyers fighting on behalf of Abu-Jamal contend that qualified black jurors were unconstitutionally excluded from hearing Abu-Jamal’s case. A potentially damning piece of evidence is Abu-Jamal case prosecutor and Assistant District Attorney, Jack McMahon demonstrating how to exclude lack and poor jurors without appearing to violate Batson v. Kentucky.
Protests Against Abu-Jamal
Abu-Jamal has proved to be a polarizing figure. Just as people have flocked to his defense, others have condemned effort aid him. In 1999, the Fraternal Order of Police announced an economic boycott of any individuals or organizations that support Abu-Jamal. The Paris suburb of Saint Denis re-named a street in honor of Abu-Jamal. This action provoked a couple of reactions. United Senator Rick Santorum, and United States Senator Michael Fitzpatrick, who both represented Pennsylvania in Congress, at the time sponsored a resolution in protests of the street re-naming. A Philadelphia Republican organization filed suit in a French Court against the suburb for the renaming of the street.
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