Mumia supporters demand his freedom

July 4th is a symbolic day in the frame-up of death row political prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal, because it was July 3, 1982—25 years ago—when a Philadelphia jury rendered the death sentence against him for a crime he did not commit following a sham of a trial. Abu-Jamal’s lawyers and his supporters are currently awaiting a federal ruling on whether he will be granted a new trial or not.

This year’s protest, which took place on July 4th, was located across the street from the remains of the house where George Washington kept nine enslaved Africans during his presidency.

Interspersed among frequent chants for Mumia’s freedom were a number of speakers on U.S. political prisoners and the Iraq War. The day of protest ended with a march to the federal prison, where demonstrators were able to hear the prisoners’ shouts and bangings on the narrow prison windows in solidarity with the demonstration. Read more about Mumia’s case on page 3.

—Report and photo by Joe Piette