Mumia Abu-Jamal has been on death row for 24 years, convicted in 1982 of the murder of policeman Daniel Faulkner on 9 December 1981. Jamal is innocent and mountains of evidence show this, including the confession of another man, Arnold Beverly, to the murder.

Jamal is an eloquent and defiant spokesman for the oppressed. As a radio journalist known as the ‘voice of the voiceless’, Mumia’s impassioned defence of black rights enraged the FBI and the state. The FBI started watching Jamal when he was 15 because of his excellent written and spoken communication skills. He was considered dangerous because he made the Black Panther party look good. His conviction was carried because of his membership of the Black Panther party and a statement made when we was 15. This makes him the US’s foremost political prisoner.

Jamal’s case is now at a critical juncture. In December 2005, the federal appeals court put his case on a ‘fast track’ for decision, which means he’s entering the last stages of the legal proceedings. In a short time, as soon as 6 months, the court could decide what is next for Mumia: death, life in prison or more legal proceedings.

For over 4 years, Pennsylvania state and the federal courts have refused to consider the sworn confession of Arnold Beverly that he, not Jamal, shot and killed the policeman. In 2001, US District Judge Yohn overturned the death sentence upheld every aspect of Jamal’s frame-up conviction. Both he and the prosecutors are appealing this 2001 decision. Jamal has never been off death row in this time.

The racist death penalty is basically the lynch rope made legal, overwhelmingly targeting black, working class men. If you need any further reminder of the desperation of the situation in the US just remember the inhumane and brutal neglect by the US state when thousands of black and poor people were left to die in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Let’s start talking about Mumia Abu-Jamal again, showing our support, informing ourselves about what really happened. We don’t want a retrial, we want to see this intelligent, caring, passionate man FREE! We don’t stand for the waste of a beautiful life. Join us in our solidarity with Mumia Abu-Jamal and black and working class people everywhere!