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3/28/08 Protest Report from The Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, SF Bay Area On 24 hours notice, one hundred supporters of innocent political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal rallied at the Federal Courthouse in San Francisco on March 28 to protest the March 27 reactionary decision of the U.S.Court of Appeals, Third Circuit. The court rejected all aspects of Jamal's appeal and in the process once again rejected established legal precedents. The San Francisco rally was called by The Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, a coalition of several Bay Area groups that have long fought for Mumia's freedom. Mobilization supporters were featured on several Bay Area radio shows prior to the rally. Mobilization organizer, Jeff Mackler, described the Third Circuit's decision as a travesty of justice, replete with arguments that flew in the face not only the previous holdings of the Third Circuit on the exclusion of Blacks from Philadelphia juries, but decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court itself. "We are witness to what has become known as "Mumia Law," as opposed to U.S. law, said Mackler. "No matter what the present law and precedents are, the courts find ways to circumvent them with spurious arguments that expose the political nature of Mumia's prosecution, persecution and frame-up. The State of Pennsylvania wants Mumia murdered and they couldn't care less about what laws and precedents stand in their way." Mackler continued: "We do not accept this defeat as final. We will continue to fight to make the political price of these racist decisions and of Mumia's continued incarceration too high to pay. The fight will not end until we have won Mumia's freedom." The rally featured representatives of some 20 Bay Area groups that have been active participants in the fight for a new trial and for Mumia's freedom. Supporting groups included the Peace and Freedom Party, Prison Radio, National Lawyers Guild, Socialist Action, Socialist Organizer, the ANSWER Coalition, Workers World Party, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Labor Action Committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, Political Prisoners Organizing Committee, Bayview newspaper, Freedom Socialist Party, Radical Women, Freedom is a Constant Struggle's radio talk show host, and others. The Mobilization announced plans for a mass demonstration in San Francisco on Sunday, April 20. For further information call: 510-268-9429. freemumia.org |