From: "Viviane Lerner" <•••@••.•••> -----Original Message----- From: •••@••.••• [mailto:•••@••.•••] Sent: Friday, October 08, 1999 5:29 AM Subject: Emergency Call to Action for Mumia Abu-Jamal Emergency Call to Action STOP THE EXECUTION OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL! *this message contains details of "day after" demonstrations for Mumia Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Ridge is about to issue a warrant for the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal. His order will set a specific date for Mumia's execution by lethal injection Mumia will be immediately placed under 24-hour surveillance in a special cell under Phase II conditions, or "Suicide Watch." Governor Ridge and the death-seeking forces that stand behind him will have issued an unprecedented challenge to our movement and to all those who cherish democratic and human rights. The Governor's heinous deed will demand of us a united response that must be heard in every quarter of our society. Mumia's fight for life will be placed at center stage of U.S. politics. With unshakable confidence, we will now take the next critical steps toward the building of a nationally coordinated, broadly-based, mass movement to weigh in on Mumia's behalf. We are pledged to make the contemplated murder of Mumia Abu-Jamal a political price that is unquestionably too high to pay on the part of the powerbrokers who currently oversee the unfolding battle. They will learn that Mumia's case represents an irresistible challenge to the credibility of their "criminal justice system." The National Coordinators of Mumia's defense issue this call for emergency protests in the U.S. and internationally for "The Day After" a warrant is signed in as many cities as possible. (See below for additional details regarding regional actions in Philadelphia and San Francisco.) The death warrant is doubly outrageous because Governor Ridge knows full well that within days Mumia's legal team, headed by Leonard Weinglass, will be filing for a writ of habeas corpus in the Federal District Court. This will initiate the federal appeal's process and, at the same time, secure a stay of the Governor's warrant for Mumia's execution. The defense team will request an evidentiary hearing in order to present to the Federal District Court vital material that was banned from the State court records by the actions of Judge Albert Sabo. Mumia's case has now entered a qualitatively new phase. While it is impossible to predict a time line, all agree that the legal proceedings have entered the "fast track." At the extreme, the Federal District Court may invoke the "presumption of correctness" standard of the 1996 Effective Death Penalty Act and refuse both an evidentiary hearing and a Federal District Court review. Such an action would restart the countdown on Mumia's life. There are a number of legal options available in this eventuality, including an additional appeal to the Federal District Court for a three-judge hearing, and, if, necessary, subsequent appeals to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and finally to the U.S. Supreme Court. The time period for these appeals could be collapsed into a matter of months. A longer scenario, however, is certainly not excluded. The immediate mobilization of Mumia's supporters in the days ahead is our top priority. Based on the major achievements of Mumia's freedom struggle over the past years, we will then proceed with a comprehensive and united plan of action designed to bring to bear the full power and influence of all those who seek justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal. Stop the Execution! For a New Trial Now! Pam Africa, Internat'l Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal Safiya Bukhari, New York Free Mumia Coalition Herman Ferguson, New African Liberation Front Clark Kissinger, Refuse and Resist Jeff Mackler, Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Monica Moorehead, National People's Campaign Joan Parkin, Campaign to End the Death Penalty Marcus Rediker, Western PA. Committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Mark Taylor, Academics for Mumia Abu-jamal Steve Weiser, The Bruderhoff Philadelphia Regional Protest: If a warrant is signed on Monday - Thursday the "Day After" demonstration will be that Saturday in Philadelphia. If a warrant is signed on Friday, the demonstration will be on the second "Saturday After" (eight days) in Philadelphia, assembling at: Pennsylvania State Office Building at Broad and Spring Garden Streets, 11 am. People are riding the train down and there will be buses from NYC. Call the Hotline 212-330-8029 and the In'tl Action Center 212-633-6646 for more info. For Philadelphia information: International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal: 215-476-8812. San Francisco: If the warrant is signed on Friday, October 8, the "Day After:" rally is set for Saturday, October 9, 12:00 Noon, Powell and Market Streets followed by 12 Noon regional march and rally on Saturday, October 16 assembling at Powell and Market. Call: The Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal: 415-695-7745. THE SCENARIO If a death warrant is signed, there will be (1) local demonstrations on the next day (2) regional (Philadelphia and San Francisco) demonstrations on the next Saturday (unless it is signed on a Friday, then it's 8 days later) In New York City: (1) The next business day, gather in front of the PBA, 40 Fulton St., 1-2 pm; at 2 pm, march to Times Square; at 4:30 pm, demonstrate in Times Square. (2) The next Saturday, travel to Philadelphia. WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you're involved in a Mumia coalition, let us know what your local demo details are so we can publicize them. Call, email, or check the web sites for details in your city. Call or email to get on the Emergency Response Netowork. If there is nothing planned in your city for the day after, call something now. Organize transportation to Philadelphia or San Francisco for the regional Saturday demonstrations. Stay in Touch! For more information, contact In Philadelphia, call International Concerned Family and Friends at 215- 476-8812. In New York City, call the IAC at 212-633-6646 or email •••@••.•••, or call the Free Mumia Coalition hotline at 212- 330-8029. National Peoples Campaign/Millions for Mumia 39 West 14th Street, #206 New York, NY 10011 212 633-6646 212 633-2889 FAX email: •••@••.••• http://www.peoplescampaign.org
