Prof. Johanna Fernandez and Sis. Jamila Wilson will give info on the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal and discuss the worldwide Occupy the Justice Dept. mass mobilization to free political prisoners and end mass incarceration. Prof. Fernandez is a member of Educators for Mumia and Prof. at Baruch College Department of Black and Hispanic Studies, producer of the film "Justice on Trial," and author of the upcoming book "Young Lords."
Sis. Jamila Wilson is a prison abolitionist and hard-working organizer for the Occupy the Justice Dept. event in Washington, DC on April 24, Mumia Abu-Jamal's 58th birthday, and who's demands are: Release Mumia Abu-Jamal, End mass incarceration, Jobs, Education, & Health Care. NOT JAILS! End solitary confinement & stop torture End the racist death penalty Hands off immigrants, Free all political prisoners! More info at http://occupythejusticedepartment.com
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Former Black Panther and journalist Sister Kiilu Nyasha joins the program to discuss the case of Hugo L. A. Pinell, nicknamed "Yogi Bear". Mr. Pinell was coecred into a plea bargain for a crime he maintains he did not commit.
"In 1964, a white woman accused me of rape, assault and kidnap. I was 19 years old. I turned myself into the authorities to clarify the charges against me which I knew to be falsified. The deputies beat me several times because the alleged victim was white, and the Public Defender and the Judge influenced my mother into believing that I would be sentenced to death unless I pled guilty. At their insistence and despite my innocence, I pled guilty to the charge of rape, with the understanding that I would be eligible for parole after 6 months. When I arrived at the California Department of Corrections, I was informed that I had been sentenced to three years to life." - Hugo L. A. Pinell
Mr. Pinell has been incarcerated on the prison plantation for nearly half a century and the majority of that time has been in solitary confinement.
Joined tonight by MOVE 9 spokesperson Romana Africa.
The MOVE Organization surfaced in Philadelphia during the early 1970's. Characterized by dreadlock hair, the adopted surname "Africa", a principled unity, and an uncompromising commitment to their belief, members practiced the teachings of MOVE founder JOHN AFRICA.
Move's work is to stop industry from poisoning the air, the water, the soil, and to put an end to the enslavement of life.
In 1978, a standoff with police over orders to vacate the Powelton Village MOVE house occured. MOVE failed to relocate and police later attempted forced entry. Philadelphia police officer James J. Ramp was killed by a shot to the back of the head. MOVE representatives claim that he was facing the house at the time. Nine MOVE members would be found guilty of third-degree murder in the shooting death of officer James J. Ramp. Seven of the nine became eligible for parole in the spring of 2008, and all seven were denied parole. Parole hearings now occur yearly.
In 1981, MOVE relocated to a row house at 6221 Osage Avenue in the Cobbs Creek area of West Philadelphia. During another incident with police, a police helicopter dropped a four-pound bomb made of C-4 plastic explosive and Tovex, a dynamite substitute, onto the roof of the house.
The resulting explosion caused the house to catch fire. The resulting fire was allowed to turn into a massive blaze which eventually destroyed 65 houses total.
Eleven people, including John Africa, five other adults and five children, died in the resulting fire. Ramona Africa and one child, Birdie Africa, were the only survivors. No police officer or public official was ever charged for the loss of life and property damage caused by their negligent actions.
