Mumia Abu-Jamal, a political prisoner, has been fighting to get out of prison for 42 years. His loved ones have attempted for several years to win his freedom so he can obtain medical treatment for a long-term deteriorating skin condition, as well as other ailments. They have accused the prison of medical neglect.
Abu-Jamal became a Black Panther Party member at age 14 after white racists and a police officer assaulted him in 1968. During his time with the party, the FBI surveilled him through the Counterintelligence Program, better known as COINTELPRO. He then left the party in 1970.
Abu-Jamal started working for radio stations in 1975 and was recognised for reporting on the Philadelphia Police Department’s harassment of the MOVE Black revolutionary group. However, National Public Radio affiliate WHYY’s management accused him of not maintaining objectivity and asked him to resign in 1981.
After being accused of shooting Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner on 9 December 1981, Abu-Jamal was sentenced to death in 1982. Multiple legal attempts over four decades have failed to get him out of prison.
Despite his struggles, Abu-Jamal has advocated via radio essays for the rights of Black and other marginalised communities, both in the US and internationally. His words can be heard at prisonradio.org.
A day of action is planned worldwide for his 70th birthday on 24 April.