Check out this new article by Philly writer Cyril Mychalejko

Anti-abortion Terrorism Can Be Prevented

By Cyril Mychalejko

The assassination of Dr. George Tiller last month by anti-abortion extremist Scott Roeder set off a fiery debate about the potential culpability of the anti-choice movement and whether this heinous act could have been prevented.

This is an uncomfortable conversation to have. It's a conversation that will offend some people. But it is one we must continue to have in order to ensure that we create the conditions that will inhibit similar violent acts from happening in the future.

Hi YPP,

I hope you enjoy my new interview focusing on some really important and creative organizing -- a good example of the poor organizing transnationally and drawing connections between different communities. If you like the interview, please help spread the word. Permission is granted to reprint as long as UpsideDownWorld.org is cited as the original source.

http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/1908/1/

Appalachia and Colombia: The People Behind the Coal

--An interview with Aviva Chomsky

By Hans Bennett

http://illvox.org/2009/06/2009-northeast-apoc-conference-mission-stateme...

This August, we converge upon Philadelphia, the disgusting home to the bombing of the MOVE Organization, the framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the capture of Russell Shoatz, the framing of the MOVE 9, and the murder of Erica Keels. As we share our stories, our experiences, our ideas, our visions, we will come to understand and respect each other as individuals and make build our community as a whole. Let our resolve and our rage give rise to not just a tendency but a united force with which to cast off the chains that bind us all.

Check out the Reporters without Borders release here:

http://www.rsf.org/Journalism-in-Hell-Mumia-Abu-Jamal.html

“Although Mumia Abu-Jamal was not arrested and sentenced to death in his professional capacity, it is certainly likely that his status as an activist and committed journalist was a driving force. Mumia Abu-Jamal’s fate hinges on human rights, of which the death penalty already constitutes a violation. We will be giving Mumia Abu-Jamal an opportunity to relate his experience in his own words” stated Reporters Without Borders.

As a former Black Panther militant who worked as a radio reporter in the 1970s, Mumia Abu-Jamal, now 55, was sentenced to death for killing a police officer, Daniel Faulkner, on December 9, 1981, in Philadelphia. A number of procedural irregularities were noted during his trial - so many, in fact, that they have raised serious doubts as to his guilt.

You can read Mumia's essay here:

Letters in Support of Parole

It is really important that everyone write letters in support of
Leonard's petition for parole. These letters can be quite simple
and should cover the basic points important for parole decisions. A
sample letter follows. Feel free to use it, but know that it's even
better if you write one in your own words. Be courteous and concise.

Get as many people to sign similar letters, as well. Carry a sheaf of

Linn Washington Jr. (a columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune and a professor of journalism at Temple University) speaks at "More Than a Book Party" in Philadelphia at The Church of the Advocate on April 24th 2009. The video is embedded below in three parts.

Attention, MOVE: This is America!

--At the 24th anniversary of the May 13 massacre, MOVE organizes for 2009 Parole Hearings

By Hans Bennett

(Born Black Magazine, May 2009)

There is a surprisingly good article about Mumia today in the Daily News, and I highly recommend folks check it out here (I am pasting a few paragraphs below), and also this new PhillyIMC feature that I put together:

http://www.phillyimc.org/en/mumia-exception

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20090506_Mumia___the_D_A__candid...

...authorities were more interested in winning and then denying Abu-Jamal a new trial than they were in providing truthful information.

The "error" covered up information damaging to the state's case, and no one has ever moved to correct the official record.

Hi YPP, check out my new article featured at Alternet:

Please help spread the word, if you can. Permission is granted to reprint anywhere, as long as Alternet is cited as the original source.

http://www.alternet.org/rights/139222/the_angola_three%3A_torture_in_our...

Check out the Spanish language translation here:

http://www.kaosenlared.net/noticia/tres-angola-tortura-nuestro-propio-tr...

Also, the PhillyIMC article has a few extra videos and photos that I compiled:

http://phillyimc.org/en/angola-three-torture-our-own-backyard

The Angola Three: Torture in Our Own Backyard

By Hans Bennett

(Alternet.org, May 2, 2009)

Peace groups from DC to NY are getting behind a large demonstration at the Army Experience Center at the Franklin Mills Mall in Bensalem on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 pm.

http://www.phillyimc.org/en/regional-effort-grows-shut-down-army-experie...

We're the good guys and they're the bad guys." - a 13 year-old skater at Franklin Mills Mall
Killing is fun -- and life is cheap at the Army Experience Center at the Franklin Mills Mall in suburban Philadelphia.
"This is so cool!" This is sooo cool!" The enthralled 13 year-old kept repeating as he squeezed rounds from his M-16, picking off "enemy combatants" while perched on a real Army Humvee.
We're in the new Army Experience Center in suburban Philadelphia and the young teen, who doesn't look older than eleven, was obviously impressed with the Army's killing machines. "I just came to the mall to skateboard in the skate park across the hall but everyone said this was pretty cool. I just had to try it and its great!"

I know many YPP folks are skeptical of the merits for a new trial for Mumia, but I urge you to check this article out, written by a very respected, veteran Philadelphia journalist, who is also featured in this video I made. I will be very interested to hear folks' honest feedback. All I ask is that you give it a chance.

The Latest Twist in the Mumia Case

Supreme Test

By LINN WASHINGTON, Jr.

(reprinted with permission of the author)

During a jailhouse interview in 1978 a Philadelphia radical awaiting trial for a policeman’s death advanced a salient observation about a fundamental flaw in America’s legal system.

This video and news release below is from Phillyimc.org, and is written by the Uhuru Solidarity Movement.

Check out below the two recent articles from Mumia, and one from Dave Lindorff, about this horrific story, which has unfortunately been confined to the alternative media. Perhaps some Dk readers can help out in helping to spread the word?

Mumia's new book exposing the criminal injustice system has just been released: http://abu-jamal-news.com/article?name=jlbook

Also, check out this video of Dave Lindorff speaking about Mumia's case:

Link here to read Dave Lindorff's article: http://thiscantbehappening.net/?q=node/269

Mumia's two essays are below here:

Check out this strong new statement of support from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund supporting Mumia's appeal at the US Supreme Court. Below is the summary statement on their website, and this link is for the actual amicus brief:

http://www.naacpldf.org/content/pdf/jury/abu-jamal_amicus_brief.pdf

http://www.naacpldf.org/content.aspx?article=1372

March 5, 2009

NAACP Legal Defense Fund Files Brief in Supreme Court in Mumia Abu-Jamal Case

(New York, NY) – Today the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) filed a friend of the court brief in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal's claim of racial discrimination in the selection of the jury for his 1981 death penalty trial. LDF's brief supports Mr. Abu-Jamal's request for United States Supreme Court review of his appeal urging enforcement of the laws that require courts to promptly investigate evidence of discrimination against African American prospective jurors.

Link for flyer: http://abu-jamal-news.com/docs/m9.pdf

http://move9parole.blogspot.com/2009/03/call-in-campaign-for-move-9.html

Call in campaign for the MOVE 9!