Cops obstruct 'Millions for Mumia' march

Wednesday, April 21, 1999 - 10:00

Cops obstruct 'Millions for Mumia' march

Mayor Ed Rendell and the Philadelphia Police Department are attempting to interfere with the April 24 "Millions for Mumia" march. The Millions for Mumia Mobilisation, a coalition of more than 500 organisations and prominent individuals, has denounced the attacks in the strongest terms.

On April 9, demonstration organisers learned city officials had decided to prevent the march by thousands of protesters gathering in Philadelphia. Police Captain William B. Fisher of Police Civil Affairs told organisers the city would permit only a "ceremonial parade" of 500 people outside City Hall.

Organisers were also notified that city officials plan to block off a major area of the city on April 23 — the night before the demonstration — to coincide with a "memorial dinner" organised by police groups for Daniel Faulkner. Faulkner was shot and killed on December 9, 1981, and Mumia Abu-Jamal framed for his killing.

The Millions for Mumia Mobilisation said the mass march would go ahead, with or without police authorisation. It called on everyone to mobilise to defend the right to march in Philadelphia.

"Our voices will be heard", said Pam Africa of International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal. "I am confident that people will come in even larger numbers when word of this outrage spreads."

"This is a racist outrage, an insult and a violation of our rights", said Monica Moorehead, a national coordinator of the Millions for Mumia Mobilisation. "The city is willing to block off major arteries on a busy Friday night for a police dinner of 500 people. But they say that the hundreds of thousands of people who come April 24, including international dignitaries, elected officials and celebrities, will not be permitted to march.

"A march to demand a new trial for Mumia will be held. We will be in the streets April 24 in a strong, united and militant rally and march to demand justice for our brother Mumia. We call on people to protest and raise hell about this outrage."

Fax letters of protest to: Mayor Ed Rendell, (215) 686-2180; Office of the Managing Director, City of Philadelphia, (215) 686-3494; Captain William B. Fisher, Police Civil Affairs, (215) 685-3687. Visit <http://www.peoplescampaign.org>.