Mumia press Releases 11/14/97 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source MOVELLJA@aol.com Thu, 13 Nov 1997 17:03:50 -0500 (EST) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Marilyn Kai Jewett (215) 842-9055 Pam Africa: (215) 476-8812 Susan Burnett: (203) 846-1937 INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR MUMIA TO BE HELD IN PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 30 -- People from throughout the world who believe in truth and justice will descend on Philadelphia's Blue Horizon Saturday, December 6 to witness the Peoples International Tribunal for Justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal. Initiated by the International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the tribunal will investigate the government's conspiracy to silence, deny justice to and take the life of Abu-Jamal. An outspoken journalist and people's advocate, Abu-Jamal was convicted of the murder of a Philadelphia police office and now sits on Pennsylvania's death row. The tribunal will consist of an international panel of prominent jurists, political leaders, labor and community activists, cultural figures and others concerned with truth and justice. The panel will hear the true facts of the case and expose the evidence that was suppressed in Abu-Jamal's trial. Witnesses who were barred from the courtroom will be called to testify on their personal experiences with police corruption and racism. Representatives of other political prisoners, families of victims of police brutality and the death penalty and former prisoners will also participate in the historic tribunal. People are organizing worldwide to attend this important event in the "City of Brotherly Love." "The government has used false charges, a fraudulent trial, brutal imprisonment and has imposed the death penalty in an effort to silence our brother forever," explained Pam Africa, coordinator of the tribunal who has fought for a new trial on behalf of Abu-Jamal since 1982. "We want people to understand that this is not just about Mumia. The conspiracy against Mumia is part of a larger pattern of police brutality, corruption, racism and disparity in sentencing the poor. Only through a mobilization of the masses demanding truth and justice for Mumia and all political prisoners will the conspiracy be exposed." Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge has stated publicly that he will sign the death warrant if the State Supreme Court denies the motion for a new trial. Given the make-up of the court and the narrow body of evidence allowed, the prospects for a new trial are dim. The Ad Hoc Coalition For A People's International Tribunal For Justice For Mumia Abu-Jamal was formed to organize the tribunal to raise the consciousness of the people and bring the true facts surrounding this case to light. To join the coalition to help make this effort a success call (215) 476-8812. "Today it's Mumia. Tomorrow it may be you," said Africa. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytrc-11.15.97-03:53:01-26743