Hundreds of people gathered in Philadelphia on April 24 to celebrate the 59th birthday of the “world’s most famous prisoner,” Mumia Abu Jamal. Events began early in the afternoon with a demonstration in front of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, where attendees sang “Happy Birthday Mumia” and waved banners reading, “Free Mumia, End Mass Incarceration!”
Activists chanted “Brick by brick, wall by wall, we’re gonna free Mumia Abu Jamal!” while a squadron of uniformed and plainclothes cops looked on from the sidelines and drivers passing the scene honked in solidarity.
The conviction and imprisonment of the noted writer and journalist for the alleged shooting of a police officer has been condemned by Amnesty International and leaders like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu for failing to meet international standards of a fair trial. But the 30 years that Mumia has spent in isolation on death row despite these condemnations has earned him the dedication and respect of activists and governments around the world who recognize him as a political prisoner targeted by the government of the United States.
Mumia’s case placed in broader context
This solidarity was reflected in the multinational attendance of the demonstration and the range of speakers who discussed the ties between Mumia’s wrongful imprisonment and struggles against racism, police brutality, the school-to-prison pipeline and mass incarceration.
“His freedom would show the power of people united,” said Joshua Africa of MOVE.
“It would show the value of mass movement,” agreed Sam Pinto, an organizer involved with the Students for Mumia coalition. “It would show that actions aren’t fruitless and can inspire.”
Nancy Monsour from the Existence is Resistance organization elaborated on the significance of the movement surrounding Mumia’s struggle to the struggle of political prisoners everywhere.
“What is on trial is the conscience of all freedom-loving people around the world,” she said.
The day was not only a celebration of the enduring spirit of Mumia but also of the hard work by dedicated activists and family members who continue to fight for his freedom. Their organizing efforts recently won Mumia transfer off of death row, and they have now begun a new campaign demanding his full release from prison.
At a public meeting following the demonstration, organizers announced a new petition seeking 1 million signatures demanding Mumia’s immediate release, but also stressed that “the petition alone” would not bring him home. Speakers discussed the importance of building a mass movement and how justice for Mumia would mean justice for all political prisoners and oppressed peoples, both in the United States and abroad.
Calling in from his isolation in prison to thank the organizers for the day’s events, Mumia himself downplayed the importance of his birthday to the gathering.
“Build movement,” he said, “build movement, build movement, build movement!”
