The Torture of Mumia Abu-Jamal Continues off Death Row --Supporters Demand Transfer (tags)
After being transferred from death row in December, Mumia was put in ‘the hole’ at SCI Mahanoy’s ‘Restrictive Housing Unit,’ where the conditions are actually more restrictive than when he was on death row. Supporters, including the National Lawyers Guild (for whom Mumia serves as Vice President) who has set up an online petition, are calling for his immediate transfer to general population, so that among other things, he will be able to touch his family for this first time in about 30 years.
Appalachia and Colombia: The People Behind the Coal --an interview with Aviva Chomsky (tags)
Aviva Chomsky is a professor of history and Latin American Studies at Salem State College in Massachusetts, and is a founder of the North Shore Colombia Solidarity Committee, which has been working since 2002 with Colombian labor and popular movements, especially those affected by the foreign-owned mining sector. She just returned from a Witness for Peace delegation (May 28 – June 6) that traveled to two regions devastated by coal mining: the state of Kentucky and to northern Colombia.
The Angola Three: Torture in Our Own Backyard (in Spanish and English) (tags)
They were framed for murder after organizing a Black Panther Party prison chapter at the infamous Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Together, Herman Wallace, Robert King, and Albert Woodfox have spent more than 100 years in solitary confinement.
Media, Revolution, and the Legacy of the Black Panther Party--interviewing Kiilu Nyasha (tags)
I initiated a correspondence with George Jackson in early 1971, and months later, got a one-hour visit in the holding cell of San Quentin. I’ve met no one before or since more dedicated to revolutionary change....George was one of the three “Soledad Brothers,” whose story began on January 13, 1970 when a tower guard at Soledad State Prison shot and killed three Black captives on the yard, leaving them unattended to bleed to death.
GeoClan.com interview about Journalists for Mumia Abu-Jamal (tags)
Those advocating this radical journalist's execution show a disturbing lack of concern about the undeniable problems of racism (and all documented police/DA/judicial misconduct) throughout this case. At the most fundamental level, the FOP-led 'Fry Mumia' campaign's lack of concern is racist....The FOP appeals to a racist lynch-mob mentality that has long infected the US, so calling this a 'legal lynching' is no exaggeration.
INTERVIEW: New British Film About Mumia Abu-Jamal (tags)
For the first time since the film's US Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last January, "In Prison My Whole Life" will be shown to a US audience.
The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal: an interview with author J. Patrick O’Connor (tags)
In his new book, O’Connor argues that Abu-Jamal was clearly framed by police, and that the actual shooter was a man named Kenneth Freeman. O’Connor criticizes the local media, who, he says “bought into the prosecution’s story line early on and has never been able to see this case for what it is: a framing of an innocent and peace loving man.”
VIDEO: "This government, using corporate media, is laying the groundwork for a murder (tags)
The new video features a shortened slide show presentation of the newly discovered crime scene photos taken by press-photographer Pedro Polakoff, as well as Pam Africa, David A. Love, Linn Washington Jr, and Dave Lindorff. Also interesting is the exchange between the Reuters journalist covering the press conference, and the panel, as he questions them about why it took so long for the photos to emerge publicly as they are now.
What Mumia Abu-Jamal Never Learned (tags)
On the eve of the United States premiere of In Prison My Whole Life at the Sundance Festival on January 20-25, the battle for the life and freedom of Mumia Abu-Jamal heats up in the news media and the streets of far-flung cities while he awaits a crucial appellate court ruling and prepares to publish his sixth book from death row. Media activists present photographic evidence disproving the case against him.
KPFK / Uprising Radio: Journalists Decry Racism in Media Coverage of Mumia (tags)
This morning (Thurs, Nov.29), the Pacifica Radio/KPFK Los Angeles show "Uprising Radio" spotlighted the recent media-activist campaign focusing on the Dec.6 NBC Today Show. Pam Africa of ICFFMAJ has a scheduled telephone conference with The Today Show on Friday, so people are urged to please take a minute and contact The Today Show to express support.
Los jueces en la mira, deliberan sobre el futuro de Mumia Abu-Jamal (tags)
Después de la audiencia del 17 de mayo en Filadelfia los jueces tardarán en ordenar un nuevo juicio, la ejecución o cadena perpetua para Mumia Abu-Jamal. El periodista recibe apoyo internacional y mensajes de otros presos políticos, incluso Leonard Peltier.
Mumia gana premio Sacco y Vanzetti mientras la policía cierra espacios (tags)
En este momento crítico en el caso del preso político Mumia Abu-Jamal, hay muestras de apoyo y tácticas de intimidación.
Mumia's Oral Arguments set for May 17 (tags)
On May 17, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in the case of internationally renowned black death-row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal. The court will consider four different issues that it has already certified for appeal. It will then decide to either grant a new trial, affirm the life sentence, or re-instate the death sentence.
NAACP Says Mumia Abu-Jamal's Trial was Racist (tags)
“The blacks from the low income areas are less likely to convict. There's a resentment for law enforcement and a resentment for authority....you don't want those people on your jury, let's face it.”
New Radio-essays by Mumia Abu-Jamal (tags)
Here are several new radio essays by black death-row political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, including this first one about the new US Congress. Abu-Jamal's case it at a critical juncture with oral arguments expected any month. After these, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether or not to grant Mumia a new trial.
New Reports of Abu-Jamal Confession after 25 years? (tags)
...perhaps the most shocking story to emerge amidst the flurry of news stories published last week was a Dec. 8 NBC 10 story reporting that two more people now say that they heard Abu-Jamal confess at the hospital before treatment for his gunshot wound.
Uprising Radio on Mumia Abu-Jamal after 25 years (tags)
Uprising Radio: 25th anniversary of Mumia’s Arrest http://uprisingradio.org/home/?p=987 GUEST: Hans Bennett, Philadelphia based photo-journalist who has been documenting the free-Mumia movement. View his new series on Mumia published in the weeks leading up to December 9: http://hbjournalist1.googlepages.com/ms
RADIO INTERVIEW: Is Honoring Mumia Abu-Jamal A Crime? (tags)
Telephone interviews with Peter J. Wirs (Chairman of Philadelphia's 59th Republican Ward Executive Committee) and Robert R. Bryan, (Attorney for Mumia Abu-Jamal) about the new criminal charges filed against two French cities supporting journalist and death-row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Freiheit für Mumia!: German book reveals new evidence (tags)
This is a shorter “reader-friendly” essay review of German author Michael Schiffmann's explosive new book on Mumia Abu-Jamal featured at http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Nov06/Bennett24.htm based on my exclusive reading of the English language version (not yet published in the US) and an extensive interview, which is the only public English language resource that documents the many new facts and original ballistics analysis presented in the German book. This version features several accompanying graphics. LINK TO FULL LENGTH INTERVIEW: http://hbjournalist1.googlepages.com/schiff
Mumia's Best (and Last) Chance for a New Trial: A Legal Update (tags)
On October 23, attorney Robert R. Bryan (attorney for death-row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal) filed the 4th Step Reply Brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Philadelphia. Because this should be the last round of reply briefs, Bryan estimates that the public hearing of arguments should begin within three months. After the hearing, the panel of judges will then decide whether to grant Abu-Jamal a new trial.
Is Honoring Mumia a Crime? by Hans Bennett (tags)
ARTICLE: Philadelphia's 59th Republican Ward Executive Committee files criminal charges against French cities supporting black death-row prisoner. WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT: This is the first article to be featured on writer Hans Bennett's new INSUBORDINATION photo-journalism website www.insubordination.blogspot.com
Counter-resolution Ddefends Rue Mumia Abu-Jamal (tags)
Following last week's visit from Julia Wright and other French delegates in defense of Rue Mumia, Pam Africa and other supporters wrote their own Philadelphia City Council Resolution to counter the previous one condemning French support for Mumia and presented it at the Philadelphia City Council opening session on Thursday, September 14.
PHOTOS: At Philly City Hall for Mumia (tags)
On Thursday, June 16, supporters of journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal gathered outside Philadelphia City Hall in response to a recent decision by Judge Pamela Dembe which prohibits him from entering in 2 new pieces of evidence. That day, members of the Ossining, NY chapter of the NAACP and others visited both Mayor Street’s and Pamela Dembe’s office in downtown Philadelphia. Others conducted a “Honk for Mumia” outside of City Hall as the day’s traffic passed.
photoessay: MARCH 22 NY ANTIWAR MARCH by Hans Bennett (tags)
On Saturday, March 22 I traveled out to New York from Philadelphia to join hundreds of thousands of others in New York declaring my opposition to the recent escalation of the US attack on Iraq.
photoessay: FEB 15 NY AND GLOBAL UPRISING! (PT.2) by Hans Bennett (tags)
This is part two of a two part photoessay documenting the Feb.15 anti-war protest in NY with photos and a personal summary of the day from Hans.
photoessay: FEB 15 NY AND GLOBAL UPRISING! by Hans Bennett (tags)
This is part one of a two part photoessay documenting the Feb.15 anti-war protest in NY with photos and a personal summary of the day from Hans. Part 2 will be out soon!
photoessay: CHANT DOWN BABYLON! artists against war, by Hans Bennett (tags)
On January 30, 2003, Chuck D, Ani Di Franco, Ozomatli, Saul Williams, and Michael Franti performed at an anti-war benefit concert for AWOL magazine. Includes essay and photos from the event.
Photessay: GILBRIDE MURDERED! DA SEEKING SEARCH WARRANT FOR MOVE HQ! (tags)
"A TV NEWS REPORTER JUST INFORMED US THAT D.A. LYNNE ABRAHAM IS GETTING A WARRANT TO COME INTO OUR (MOVE'S) HOUSE. SYLVESTER JOHNSON'S POLICE HAVE HAD US UNDER STEADY SURVEILLANCE AND KNOW ALL OF OUR COMINGS AND GOINGS. THEY KNOW WE AINT GONE NOWHERE AND AINT DONE SHIT. JOHNSON SAID HE WOULD KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS OPEN WITH US, BUT WE ARE HEARING THIS FROM A NEWS REPORTER AND NOT HIM! WE NEED OUR SUPPORTERS TO COME TO PHILADELPHIA, WE ARE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY RIGHT NOW!". --Pam Africa
Photoessay on MOVE emergency in Philadelphia, by W. Imarisha and H. Bennett (tags)
This photo-essay has work from both Walidah Imarisha and Hans Bennett. Walidah writes about the current emergency here in Philadelphia with the MOVE organization. Hans provides photos both from the MOVE home last week and of the demonstration on Friday.
EMERGENCY! MOVE UNDER ATTACK! A REPORT FROM PHILADELPHIA by Hans Bennett (tags)
I am writing this early Tuesday morning (Sept.17) right after visiting the MOVE home on Kingsessing Ave. in West Philadelphia. I spoke with three MOVE members keeping watch at the front gate of their home while the rest of the family was inside trying to get some rest. The situation is very tense right now and MOVE must be on 24 hour watch. The windows of their house (facing the street) are boarded up in preparation for a police assault.
Hans Bennett photoessay: REMEMBER AUGUST 8, 1978! FREE THE MOVE 9! (tags)
On the corner of Broad and Walnut in Center City, Philadelphia, August 10, 2002, more than 25 MOVE members and supporters (including several visiting from Spain) gathered for a demonstration to commemorate August 8, 1978. On this day, 24 years ago, more than 500 heavily armed police officers attacked MOVE headquarters in the Powelton Village neighborhood of West Philadelphia. When the MOVE family fled into the basement to avoid the attack, police countered by flooding them out and imprisoning the MOVE 9 for the murder of Police officer James Ramp.
Hans Bennett photoessay: JULY 4 PHILLY DEMONSTRATION FOR MUMIA ABU-JAMAL (tags)
On the 4th of July, 2002 in Philadelphia, supporters of Mumia Abu-Jamal gathered at City Hall for a rally and then marched down Market St. to the Liberty Bell to protest Colin Powell receiving the “Liberty Award”. Part one of this two-part photo-essay by Hans Bennett, documents the beginning of the day at City Hall. Part two (to be released tomorrow) documents the action at the Liberty Bell. Part two will also feature an original essay about the day including transcripts of Pam Africa and others’ speeches.
(text) RAMONA AFRICA interview with photojournalist Hans Bennett (tags)
In this exclusive May, 2002 interview with photojournalist Hans Bennett, Ramona Africa of the MOVE organization, talks about Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Ed Rendell, the anniversary of the May 13, 1985 bombing of her home, self-defense, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and more.
RAMONA AFRICA interview with photojournalist Hans Bennett (tags)
In this exclusive May, 2002 interview with photojournalist Hans Bennett, Ramona Africa of the MOVE organization, talks about Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Ed Rendell, the anniversary of the May 13, 1985 bombing of her home, self-defense, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and more.
part 2 of MARIO AFRICA interview with photo-journalist Hans Bennett (tags)
This is the final part of a week-long photoessay series documenting the multitude of protesters gathered in Washington, DC on April 20, 2002. Part four featured the first part of Hans Bennett’s interview with Mario Africa, founder of AWOL magazine. Here is the last half of the interview as well as Hans’ “This is What a Police State Looks Like!,” featuring photos from assorted demonstrations.
MARIO AFRICA of AWOL interview with photojournalist Hans Bennett (see pics) (tags)
In the fourth part of a week-long series documenting the 4/20 DC protests, photojournalist Hans Bennett interviews Mario Africa, founder of AWOL magazine. The interview appears in the newest issue of INSUBORDINATION magazine, which focuses on the topic: “Armed Struggle and Political Prisoners after Sept.11”. Included is a collection of Hans’ post 9/11 anti-war photos.
HANS BENNETT PHOTOESSAY: PART 2 OF DC 4/20 PROTEST PHOTOS...FREE PALESTINE!! (tags)
This is the second of a five-part photoessay documenting the protests in Washington, DC on Saturday, April 20. The second photoessay focuses on the morning protest outside of the Washington Hilton (where Israeli war criminal Ariel Sharon was scheduled to appear on April 22) where Palestinians and many others gathered to protest Israel's racist and murderous oppression of the Palestinians. The photoessay essay finishes off after the march begins towards the IMF and World Bank.
PHOTOJOURNALIST HANS BENNETT DOCUMENTS ANARCHIST BLACK BLOC (PART 2) (tags)
In this photoessay/interview, Hans Bennett (photographer and writer for INSUBORDINATION magazine) interviews an anonymous community organizer who enjoys talking about black blocking. Also included are photos that Hans has taken at various protest events. This is part 2 of the series. This first photo is taken at the main gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on Armed Forces Day, May 19 2001.
PHOTOJOURNALIST HANS BENNETT DOCUMENTS ANARCHIST BLACK BLOC SINCE SEATTLE 1999 (tags)
Hans Bennett (photographer and writer for INSUBORDINATION magazine) interviews Bobo (an anonymous black blocker) and photodocuments black bloc action during and since the 1999 Seattle uprising.