Rally for Mumia in San Francisco

Michael Franti and Spearhead.

Michael Franti and Spearhead held a concert in San Francisco to celebrate Mumia Abu-Jamal’s 51st birthday and to demand his freedom. Hundreds of people gathered at Mission High School for the April 24 event, which was sponsored by the Mobilization to free Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Pam Africa of International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal and human rights attorney Lynne Stewart were among the featured speakers. Stewart, who was convicted by a Manhattan jury in February of “conspiracy to aid terrorists,” will face a possible 35 years in prison when she is sentenced in September. “Mumia is probably one of the finest people to be alive in this era,” Stewart told the crowd. “An injury to him is an injury to every one of us.” Quoting Bertolt Brecht, Stewart said: “I always thought that the simplest words must be enough ... that you’ll go down if you don’t stand up.’ Stand up for Mumia, stand up for Lynne Stewart, stand up for yourself.”

—Story and photo by Brenda Sandburg