Issue #2 of the Jamal Journal has been released!

View the PDF versions of:

Issue #2 (32 pages)

and

Issue #2 MOVE Supplemental (20 pages)

(PHOTO: This giant Mumia puppet was unveiled at the July 3 rally for Mumia across from Philadelphia City Hall. For this photo, supporters gathered at the former site of the Frank Rizzo statue that was removed in 2020. Photo by Joe Piette. View more July 3 photos here.)

The Jamal Journal Newspaper Issue #2 was released that day, at the July 3 "In The Spirit of Consuewella Africa" Rally for Mumia at Philadelphia City Hall. 

32-PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS

Front Cover

The Oct. 22-24 Spirit of Mandela Tribunal in NYC and Continuing to Organize for Mumia's Release, by Pam Africa, the Jamal Journal

Elder Abuse: Incarceration Remains the Greatest Medical Threat to Mumia's Health --The Only Treatment is Freedom, by Dr. Ricardo Alvarez, the Jamal Journal

Mumia Abu-Jamal's Spiritual Advisor Confronts DA Krasner and the Fraternal Order of Police, Professor Mark Lewis Taylor interviewed by the Jamal Journal, first published by the SF Bay View Newspaper

(Compilation of stories about Mumia) July 3 March and Rally for Mumia, Honoring MOVE Sister Consuewella Africa

Issue #2 of the Jamal Journal has just been printed with a total of 52 pages, including 8 pages in full color (a 32 page paper accompanied by a 20 page MOVE supplemental), and will be publicly released at the July 3 event in Philadelphia! 

The July 3, March and Rally at 2pm begins across the street from North side of Philadelphia City Hall, at the Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Boulevard. 

Frank Rizzo Goes Down, MOVE Goes Up!

This is the former site of the Frank Rizzo statue that was removed last year by Mayor Jim Kenney, who tweeted: "The statue represented bigotry, hatred, and oppression for too many people, for too long. It is finally gone."

The headline of last month's article by Peter Crimmins of WHYY declared: "Murals honoring Black activists now wrap the Municipal Services Building." The new murals were unveiled during the week of May 13, 2021, and one of the murals features both Pam and Ramona Africa alongside other local Black Women community activists (see photo by Kimberly Paynter/WHYY below).

(PHOTO: The May 11, 2021 ceremonial unveiling of the new murals. From left: Dr. Ala Stanford, Ajeenah Amir, Sajda “Purple” Blackwell, artist Russell Craig, Pam Africa, Krystal Strong, YahNé Ndgo and Kezia Ridgeway, in front of the East side of the Crown mural that pays homage to their social justice work at Philadelphia’s Municipal Services Building.)

Consuewella Africa, Rest in Power! (Compilation of stories about MOVE)

LISTEN:  Mumia Abu-Jamal's June 28 radio-essay, Consuewella Africa, Presente!

READ:   Compilation by MOVE  II  Philadelphia Inquirer  II  Associated Press  II  Betsey Piette, Workers World  

(Photo of Consuewella Africa by Cindy Miller)

(Statement released June 16, 2021)

ONA MOVE

The MOVE ORGANIZATION just wants to take the time to inform people that our beloved sister Consuewella Africa passed away today . Consuewella had been hospitalized these past couple of weeks due to health complications behind the stress of this situation with The University Of Pennsylvania and the remains of her Daughter Tree Africa .

Consuewella was a minister of confrontation for The MOVE ORGANIZATION , and a survivor of The August 8th 1978 Confrontation who spent 16 years in prison for refusing to renounce MOVE . Her Daughters Tree and Netta Africa were murdered by this Government On May 13th 1985 .

We were advised by The University Of Pennsylvania's Anthropology Dept that Tree Africa's Remains were sent to Terry's Funeral Home and are ready to be picked up .  We hope that we can put Tree And Consuewella together .

We will keep people posted on A memorial service

Rest Easy Consuewella

Our Dear Sister, We Love you  And Will Hold You In Our Hearts Forever

YOUR , MOVE Family

(PHOTO: Consuewella Africa and child Lobo in May 1977.)

Issue #2 Cover Story by Pam Africa: The Oct. 22-24 Spirit of Mandela Tribunal in NYC, Continuing to Organize for Mumia's Release, and more

(PHOTO: Pam Africa, with the first issue of the Jamal Journal in hand, speaks outside of DA Larry Krasner's office on March 12, 2021.)

We Challenge DA Larry Krasner and CNN’s Michael Smerconish!

By Pam Africa, coordinator of the uncompromising International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal

(June 28, 2021)

Ona Move! 

Long Live John Africa!

Thank you for reading the second issue of the newly-restarted Jamal Journal Newspaper. 

Mumia and I are both deeply grateful for all of the support during both of Mumia’s recent health emergencies (in March and April). As Mumia told Noelle Hanrahan during his first contact visit since his April heart surgery: “I am here because people stood right with me” (read on page 26). 

People power forced the prison to have Mumia properly diagnosed and treated at an outside hospital. After returning from the hospital, Mumia told us that it was the best treatment he had ever received. This was a powerful victory for the movement!

Mumia has been recovering well from the surgery, but for Mumia’s recovery to continue, it is now imperative for Mumia to have access to nutritious food and plenty of exercise. We will be mobilizing around these demands in the coming months, but ultimately, as Mumia’s consulting physician Dr. Ricardo Alvarez explains, “the only treatment will always be freedom.”

In the Spirit of Mandela Tribunal 

Please help us publicize the upcoming In the Spirit of Mandela International Tribunal on US Human Rights Violations, to be held in New York City on October 22-24, 2021. 

Elder Abuse: Incarceration Remains the Greatest Medical Threat to Mumia’s Health --The Only Treatment is Freedom

(PHOTO: Dr. Ricardo Alvarez speaks at Philadelphia City Hall on April 24, 2021. Photo by Jamal Journal staff photographer Joe Piette.)

Elder Abuse: Incarceration Remains the Greatest Medical Threat to Mumia’s Health --The Only Treatment is Freedom

By Doctor Ricardo Alvarez, Consulting Physician for Mumia Abu-Jamal

Mumia has survived a two vessel open heart surgery bypass graft. He is grateful for a new lease on life but his health remains fragile. 

There is clear evidence that his chronic diseases of congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes and liver cirrhosis from Hepatitis C are the diseases of incarceration. 

Incarceration is the primary social determinant of health. We know that there is documented evidence that incarcerated persons age earlier due to the physical and psychological stresses of survival. His only treatment will always be freedom. 

Mumia's health remains fragile. He will need multiple medications for the rest of his life and we are working to ensure a better diet and more access to exercise as would be required for rehabilitation from recent cardiac surgery.

State Sanctioned Violence

(PHOTO: Mumia in the hospital following his Dec. 9, 1981 arrest. Read Mumia's account of his arrest and hospitalization here.)

The greatest medical threat to Mumia's health now is state sanctioned violence. On February 3, 2021, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and his colleagues, Grady Gervino, Lawrence Good, Nancy Winkelman, and Carolyn Engel Temen, filed a brief that fully embraced the conclusions of the racist Judge Albert Sabo. They openly declare on page five in the "Statement of Facts:"

The University of Pennsylvania Perpetuates Samuel Morton's White Supremacist Legacy --An interview with Abdul-Aliy Abdullah Muhammad

(PHOTO: Abdul-Aliy Abdullah Muhammad speaks at the UPenn Museum on April 28, 2021. Photo by staff photographer Joe Piette. View more April 28 photos here.)

The University of Pennsylvania Perpetuates Samuel Morton's White Supremacist Legacy 

Abdul-Aliy Abdullah Muhammad interviewed by the Jamal Journal

Abdul-Aliy Abdullah Muhammad is an organizer and writer from West Philadelphia. They are also a cofounder of the Black and Brown Workers Co-op, a workers’ rights organization that focuses on Black and Brown people with special concern for LGBTQI communities, disabled communities and communities living with HIV and other chronic illnesses. 

In their writing they often problematize medical surveillance, the tracking of people through data and other methods. You can follow them on twitter @mxabdulaliy. 

Jamal Journal:  We want to discuss your recent Philadelphia Inquirer articles that broke the story about the UPenn Museum’s desecration of the remains of Tree and Delisha Africa, but let’s first begin with a focus on the story you were actually in the process of investigating when you first learned about the MOVE children’s bones. Can you please begin by explaining who Samuel Morton was, and why the UPenn Museum has chosen to archive and present his work?

Abdul-Aliy Muhammad:  Sure, Samuel G. Morton is a white supremacist alum of UPenn, he was a proctor in the early formation of what is now Penn’s School of Medicine. 

How Do We Change DA Krasner’s Mind About Mumia’s Unjust Conviction? --An interview with author J. Patrick O'Connor

How Do We Change DA Krasner’s Mind About Mumia’s Unjust Conviction?

The Jamal Journal interviews J. Patrick O’Connor, author of  the 2008 book “The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal”

Jamal Journal:  It has now been almost 13 years since the May 2008 release of your book “The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal.” When you wrote your book, could you have imagined that Mumia would still be in prison today?

J. Patrick O'Connor:  No. I was almost certain that the Third Circuit Court of Appeals would vacate Mumia’s conviction in 2008 and order a new trial based on one or more of the three claims a three-judge panel of the appellate court heard oral arguments on the previous year. 

The Key Findings of Linn Washington Jr. and Dave Lindorff's 2010 Ballistics Test, excerpted from our Color of Change petition to DA Krasner

(Excerpted from our Color of Change petition to DA Larry Krasner) 

In 2010, investigative journalists Dave Lindorff and Linn Washington performed a test to see whether bullets fired into the sidewalk at close range would leave visible markings. The test was designed to replicate the shooting scenario presented at Mumia Abu-Jamal’s 1982 trial by ADA Joseph McGill, alleging that Abu-Jamal stood directly over Officer Faulkner and fired downwards at him, execution style. According to McGill’s theory, Abu-Jamal missed several times because Faulkner actively dodged the shots by rolling side-to-side, until the final shot entered Faulkner’s forehead and killed him. 

Movement History: A Huge People's Victory

(PHOTO: Following Mumia’s emergency hospitalization on March 30, 2015, car caravans of over 40 activists travelled from Philly and NYC on April 3 to SCI Mahanoy prison in Frackville, PA, then drove 80 miles to the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in Mechanicsburg, where this  photo was taken. Photo by Jamal Journal staff photographer Joe Piette.)

Movement History: A Huge People's Victory in 2015

By Dr. Suzanne Ross

The story of our movement’s victory in its struggle to save Mumia’s life in 2015,  when he nearly died from Hepatitis C, is truly inspiring.  The Department of Corrections (DOC) first denied the diagnosis and, when proven wrong, denied the treatment Our movement was awesome in what we brought to that battle.  There is no question that the PA DOC and the forces that empower it in its genocidal mass incarceration rely on medical neglect and malpractice as a key tactic in their strategy.  

When Mumia became seriously ill, a passionately determined movement went into high gear.  Perhaps its most dramatic show of power was at an evidentiary hearing held over three days in late December 2015 in the US Federal District Court in Scranton.  Mumia’s attorneys sued for him to get appropriate medical treatment. In the courtroom the attorneys, were combative, knowledgeable, and quick.  In the months that followed, they never missed a beat, never gave up when the DOC did everything it could to stop them.  And even after they won and Mumia was given the appropriate medicine, the lawyers sued for damages based on the harm caused by the delay in treatment. What an example of lawyering for the people.

Free Yaqui Political Prisoner Fidencio Aldama! (with both Spanish and English language versions)

(PHOTO: Fidencio Aldama plays guitar behind prison walls.)

Fidencio Aldama: Set Him Free!

By Carolina Saldaña de Amigxs de Mumia, Mexico City

The Yaqui political prisoner Fidencio Aldama Pérez has spent more than four years in prison in Sonora, Mexico, for a crime he did not commit. Without a bit of evidence against him, this member of the Community Guard in the town of 1,500 people, Loma de Bácum, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for allegedly shooting and killing an intruder.

In truth, Fidencio is condemned for taking part in community resistance against a natural gas pipeline on Yaqui territory with a station in his town, one of many megaprojects that contaminate, privatize, plunder an destroy the lands of indigenous peoples. The Sonora Pipeline is part of a larger network for moving natural gas from the United States into Mexico. The Sempra Energy Company based in San Diego operates through its Mexican subsidiary IEnora, which has invested more than 8, 769 billion dollars in the country, and bought off a number of the leaders in other towns in surrounding Yaqui territory with money, water purifiers, fancy cars and pickup trucks.

Albert Woodfox of the Angola 3 and Mumia Abu-Jamal Interview Each Other, recorded by Prison Radio

(PHOTO: Albert Woodfox enjoys a canoe ride shortly after his February 19, 2016 release.) 
 

Albert Woodfox of the Angola 3 and Mumia Abu-Jamal Interview Each Other

Recorded by Prison Radio 

(April 23, 2021)

Mumia:  You brothers of the Angola Three did an ungodly bit in the hole. How did the state justify locking you cats up for so long?

Albert:  Well, given the unchecked and unchallenged power of the prison system in Louisiana, their basic justification was the fact that Herman, Robert and I were fighting for our humanity, fighting to maintain our dignity, pride, self-respect and self-worth.  

   They thought that was a threat to what they considered the only function of a prison. So that was the justification. The infamous Warden Burl Cain even signed a deposition one time saying that I was the most dangerous man in America, and since I've been out, I would like to think that my activities have proven him to be right.

Mumia:  How did y’all endure 40 years in the hole?

From The Archives: "I'm Waiting for Mumia to Be Well Done on the Rotisserie" --The SF Bay View National Black Newspaper exposes the FOP-led lynch mob that wants Mumia Abu-Jamal dead

(This article was originally published by the SF Bay View Newspaper on May 9, 2007 with the title: "Tyrants Hate Free Speech: Police Intimidate Mumia as May 17 Court Date Looms")

(PHOTO: At the April 19, 2008 Free Mumia protest, the Keystone State Skinheads, and other Neo-Nazi groups jointly organized a counter-protest at the Liberty Bell. Photo by Philly IMC.) 

("I Can't Breathe" Anti-lynching artwork by Kevin "Rashid" Johnson first published by the SF Bay View Newspaper. View more artwork at: www.rashidmod.com)

“I received nothing less than 10 or 15 death threats over the last four weeks from so-called Philadelphia police officers. I assured them that I would show up today, so they would have an opportunity to kill me. They’ve intimidated and scared folks. They’ve done what the Ku Klux Klan has always done in America: terrified Black people, poor people, immigrants and good white people” into stepping down and not confronting racism, declared Sgt. DeLacy Davis, of Black Cops Against Police Brutality.

Davis was speaking at an April 24 event in Philadelphia organized by supporters of Black death-row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal. Widely considered to be a political prisoner, Abu-Jamal was convicted of killing white Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in a 1982 trial that Amnesty International has declared a “violation of minimum international standards that govern fair trial procedures and the use of the death penalty.”