Spring Break
Black History Month Profiles Mumia Abu-Jamal
Patrick Ryan
Issue date: 2/12/04 Section: Opinion
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Mumia Abu-Jamal is an African-American journalist on death row in Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to death in 1982 as a result of a thoroughly rigged trial in which he was convicted of killing a Philadelphia policeman. The prosecution demanded the death sentence on the basis of Abu-Jamal's political beliefs.
The Jamal case has led to protests calling for Jamal's release from around the world, countries including Germany, Italy, France, and England, to South Africa, Brazil, India, and Mexico. An appropriate topic for Black History Month, Jamal is believed by protestors to be on death row for no other reason then being black in the United States.
Opponents of the protestors believe Jamal received a fair trial, and the sentence should be carried out. Jamal's past is also believed by protestors to have played a part in the sentencing. Jamal was a former Black Panther, and member of the MOVE organization. He had since acted as a radio journalist winning several awards. His commentary consistently stated that America would reform, or its people would revolt.
Claims for the prosecution claimed Jamal harbored a hatred for police and committed the act as a political statement. However, on February 17, 2000 the acclaimed human rights group Amnesty International concluded that the proceedings used to convict and sentence Jamal to death were in violation of international standards that govern use of the death penalty.
Jamal is known among varying Black organizations to be a modern day Malcolm X, calling for radical improvement of the Black community. February being Black History Month, organizations like Amnesty International recommend we as students further investigate the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal and come to our own conclusions on the case.
The Jamal case has led to protests calling for Jamal's release from around the world, countries including Germany, Italy, France, and England, to South Africa, Brazil, India, and Mexico. An appropriate topic for Black History Month, Jamal is believed by protestors to be on death row for no other reason then being black in the United States.
Opponents of the protestors believe Jamal received a fair trial, and the sentence should be carried out. Jamal's past is also believed by protestors to have played a part in the sentencing. Jamal was a former Black Panther, and member of the MOVE organization. He had since acted as a radio journalist winning several awards. His commentary consistently stated that America would reform, or its people would revolt.
Claims for the prosecution claimed Jamal harbored a hatred for police and committed the act as a political statement. However, on February 17, 2000 the acclaimed human rights group Amnesty International concluded that the proceedings used to convict and sentence Jamal to death were in violation of international standards that govern use of the death penalty.
Jamal is known among varying Black organizations to be a modern day Malcolm X, calling for radical improvement of the Black community. February being Black History Month, organizations like Amnesty International recommend we as students further investigate the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal and come to our own conclusions on the case.
