Activists began a 12-day march for the release of Mumia Abu-Jamal on November 28, walking from Philadelphia to SCI Mahanoy prison in Frackville, Pennsylvania.
Its objective is urgent: to demand medical care, dignity and freedom for the world-renowned political prisoner.
Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former member of Black Panther and an award-winning journalist, was charged with the murder of a Philadelphia police officer in 1981 after a racist trial marked by falsified evidence, coerced witnesses and judicial bias. For more than 40 years, he exposed the injustice of the mass incarceration behind the bars, becoming one of the most important political voices of his generation.
Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former member of Black Panther and an award-winning journalist, was charged with the murder of a Philadelphia police officer in 1981 after a racist trial marked by falsified evidence, coerced witnesses and judicial bias. For more than 40 years, he exposed the injustice of the mass incarceration behind the bars, becoming one of the most important political voices of his generation.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have long been eplicing their conviction as a sham of justice. He was once sentenced to death, but his sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment without the right to parole—a life-after death from bars.
Now 71, Mumia faces serious health problems. After months of public pressure, he underwent cataract surgery in his left eye in September. But he still needs surgery in the right eye and treatment for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can cause blindness if left untreated. Supporters call the deliberate delay of elder abuse — another form of state violence against a political prisoner.
The battle cries of the march — Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, end the Medical Negligence, End the Abuse of the Elderly — connect one man’s struggle to the broader crisis of medical neglect and abuse of elderly prisoners throughout the United States.
The organization of the 12-day route requires food, accommodation, transportation, medical assistance and legal, security and media support. A hybrid meeting of organization earlier this month at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia brought together veteran activists from Liberte Mumia and new participants, determined to carry out the fight.
“We will never stop fighting for Mumia because he never stopped fighting for us,” Mama Pam said, speaking at a 2023 rally in Philadelphia.
When protesters reach the gates of the SCI Mahanoy on December 9, they will be carrying more than the cause of one man. They will be marching against a system that binds the poor, silences dissent, and treats human life as disposable—and for the right to justice and freedom.
How to support the march for Mumia's release
You don’t have to walk the full 12 days to be a part of this fight. Organizers are calling for broad solidarity to make the march possible.
Ways to help include:
Be a volunteer in logistics — including teams of drivers, food preparation, accommodation coordination, safety, medical care and media.
Make donations to help cover the costs of supplies, lodging and other logistical costs of the protesters.
Share updates on social networks and help spread the call for Mumia’s release.
Organize local solidarity events and lectures on the Mumia case and the fight against mass incarceration.
The march is coordinated by activists and allies of the Liberte Mumia Abu-Jamal campaign from across the country.
An organizational meeting was held on November 3 at the Ethical Society, 1906 South Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, with ongoing online coordination.
For updates, volunteer registrations and donations, please visit marchformumia.org or follow ?BringMumiaHome on social networks.
“Until Mumia is released, neither of us will be free.”
anarchist news agency-ana
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Posted in Political & Social Movements, World, Repression | Leave a response