[asia-apec 1321] STOP THE EXECUTION OF MUMIA!

[Anuradha Mittal]

Emergency Call to Action
STOP THE EXECUTION OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL!
*this message contains details of "day after" demonstrations for Mumia

Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Ridge is about to issue a warrant for the
execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal. His order will set a specific date for
Mumia's execution by lethal injection

Mumia will be immediately placed under 24-hour surveillance in a special
cell under Phase II conditions, or "Suicide Watch."

Governor Ridge and the death-seeking forces that stand behind him will 
have issued an unprecedented challenge to our movement and to all those 
who cherish democratic and human rights. The Governor's heinous deed 
will demand of us a united response that must be heard in every quarter 
of our society.

Mumia's fight for life will be placed at center stage of U.S. politics.
With unshakable confidence, we will now take the next critical steps
toward the building of a nationally coordinated, broadly-based,  mass
movement to weigh in on Mumia's behalf.

We are pledged to make the contemplated murder of Mumia Abu-Jamal a
political price that is unquestionably too high to pay on the part of 
the powerbrokers who currently oversee the unfolding battle. They will 
learn that Mumia's case represents an irresistible challenge to the 
credibility of their "criminal justice system."

The National Coordinators of Mumia's defense issue this call for 
emergency protests in the U.S. and internationally for "The Day After" a 
warrant is signed in as many cities as possible.  (See below for 
additional details regarding regional actions in Philadelphia and San 
Francisco.)

The death warrant is doubly outrageous because Governor Ridge knows full
well that within days Mumia's legal team, headed by Leonard Weinglass, 
will be filing for a writ of habeas corpus in the Federal District 
Court. This will initiate the federal appeal's process and, at the same 
time, secure a stay of the Governor's warrant for Mumia's execution.

The defense team will request an evidentiary hearing in order to present 
to the Federal District Court vital material that was banned from the 
State court records by the actions of Judge Albert Sabo.

Mumia's case has now entered a qualitatively new phase. While it is
impossible to predict a time line, all agree that the legal proceedings
have entered the "fast track." At the extreme, the Federal District 
Court may invoke the "presumption of correctness" standard of the 1996 
Effective Death Penalty Act and refuse both an evidentiary hearing and a 
Federal District Court review. Such an action would restart the 
countdown on Mumia's life.

There are a number of legal options available in this eventuality,
including an additional appeal to the Federal District Court for a
three-judge hearing, and, if, necessary, subsequent appeals to the 
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and finally to the U.S. Supreme Court. 
The time period for these appeals could be collapsed into a matter of 
months. A longer scenario, however, is certainly not excluded.

The immediate mobilization of Mumia's supporters in the days ahead is 
our top priority. Based on the major achievements of Mumia's freedom 
struggle over the past years, we will then proceed with a comprehensive 
and united plan of action designed to bring to bear the full power and 
influence of all those who seek justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal.

Stop the Execution!
For a New Trial Now!


Philadelphia Regional Protest: If a warrant is signed on Monday - 
Thursday the "Day After" demonstration will be that Saturday in 
Philadelphia. If a warrant is signed on Friday, the demonstration will 
be on the second "Saturday After" (eight days) in Philadelphia, 
assembling at: Pennsylvania State Office Building at Broad and Spring 
Garden Streets, 11 am. People are riding the train down and there will 
be buses from NYC.  Call the Hotline 212-330-8029 and the In'tl Action 
Center 212-633-6646 for more info. For Philadelphia information: 
International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal: 
215-476-8812.

San Francisco: If the warrant is signed, call: The Mobilization to Free 
Mumia
Abu-Jamal: 415-695-7745.

THE SCENARIO
If a death warrant is signed, there will be
(1) local demonstrations on the next day
(2) regional (Philadelphia and San Francisco) demonstrations on the next 

Saturday (unless it is signed on a Friday, then it's 8 days later)

In New York City:
(1) The next business day, gather in front of the PBA, 40 Fulton St., 
1-2 pm; at 2 pm, march to Times Square; at 4:30 pm, demonstrate in Times 

Square.
(2) The next Saturday, travel to Philadelphia.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

If you're involved in a Mumia coalition, let us know what your local 
demo details are so we can publicize them.  

Call, email, or check the web sites for details in your city.  

Call or email to get on the Emergency Response Netowork.  

If there is nothing planned in your city for the day after, call 
something  now.

Organize transportation to Philadelphia or San Francisco for the 
regional  Saturday demonstrations.

Stay in Touch!  For more information, contact
In Philadelphia, call International Concerned Family and Friends at 215-
476-8812.  In New York City, call the IAC at 212-633-6646 or email 
iacenter at iacenter.org, or call the Free Mumia Coalition hotline at 212-
330-8029.

National Peoples Campaign/Millions for Mumia
39 West 14th Street, #206
New York, NY 10011
212 633-6646 212 633-2889 FAX
email: npcny at peoplescampaign.org
http://www.peoplescampaign.org

Join the fight against hunger. For more information contact foodfirst at foodfirst.org.

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