MILWAUKEE
Pam Africa leads Junteenth contingent
By Bryan
G. Pfeifer
Milwaukee
With Pam Africa of the International Concerned Family &
Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal leading, a multinational Wisconsin
for Mumia contingent of over 50 people marched in Milwaukee's
annual Juneteenth Parade. Juneteenth has been celebrated as
African American Emancipation Day since June 19, 1865, when the
slaves were emancipated in Galveston, Texas.
Wisconsin for Mumia is a coalition of over 100 organizations
and individuals who have called for a new trial for the
Pennsylvania political prisoner. Over 150 people from the
coalition attended the April 24 Millions for Mumia
demonstration in Philadelphia.
Chanting "Brick by brick, wall by wall, we're gonna free
Mumia Abu-Jamal," organizers passed out thousands of leaflets
detailing Abu-Jamal's case along with a special commemorative
journal published to mark Pam Africa's visit. Hundreds of
posters calling for a new trial for Mumia had been pasted along
the line of march.
Many onlookers asked questions about Abu-Jamal and cheered
the organizers on as they held aloft placards and a huge lead
banner that read, "Free Mumia: We demand a new trial--Wisconsin
for Mumia!" About 15 children also marched with the
contingent.
Pam Africa's visit was marked by much publicity. She was
interviewed by three local radio stations and a student
newspaper. She and Brother Lavelle Muhammad of the Nation of
Islam spoke at a public meeting after the parade that was taped
by the local public access channel.
The meeting ended with Sister Ifama Jackson, representing
Wisconsin for Mumia, presenting Pam Africa with two donations
totaling $500 for Abu-Jamal's legal fund. Tonisha Thurman read
a special Juneteenth celebration message from Mumia entitled
"Celebrating Freedom!" Thurman's brother Michael was killed by
an off-duty police officer Aug. 3, 1996, under suspicious
circumstances.
This article is copyright under a Creative Commons License.
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