Lynne Stewart, Pam & Ramona Africa join Bay Area celebration for Mumia
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More than 700 San Francisco Bay Area activists cele brated the freedom of Lynne Stewart and rededicated their efforts to win freedom for the world-renowned political prisoner and government frame-up victim, Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Stewart, who was granted compassionate release from FMC Carswell prison in Fort Worth, Texas, on New Year’s Eve after a national and international campaign that had gathered the support of 70,000 supporters, addressed largely standing-room-only crowds in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Marin, Sacramento, and Berkeley. She was joined in three cities by Pam Africa, coordinator of the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Ramona Africa, leader of the Move Organization, formed to free the long incarcerated Move 9, who sim ilarly are frame-up victims of the notorious Philadel phia police department.
The events were sponsored by the Northern Califor nia-based Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Lynne Stewart Defense Committee, and Pacifica radio station KPFA. Lynne and Pam appeared on six KPFA programs during the course of the seven-day tour. Forty-five Bay Area organizations joined to endorse and build the events in an impressive demonstration of unity and solidarity that broke new ground among area radicals, socialists, and supporters of civil and democratic rights.
Highlights of the tour were three taped greetings to Lynne and supporters from Mumia Abu-Jamal and a statement entitled, “From Cuba With Love,” signed by the Cuban Five, three of whom remain in U.S. prisons on frame-up charges of conspiracy to commit terror ism. Their message read in part: “They [Lynne and Mumia] have endured the cruelest experience, but from the depth of their incarceration they have shined and given us all a lesson on greatness that speaks vol umes of the worth of the human spirit.
“That’s why we have to welcome the return of Lynne Stewart to the society whose representatives put her in prison. That’s why we have to keep fighting to see Mumia Abu Jamal return to that society. They not only deserve such a basic human justice; the society which they belong to needs people like them, to remind us that only by defending the highest values will human kind conquer the realization of the finest dreams, which will make us one day an intelligent species.
“In the name of the Cuban 5 and the proud Cuban people, to Lynne and to Mumia, our greatest admira tion and respect.”
Lynne Stewart, as well as Pam and Ramona, were re ceived in meeting after meeting with multiple stand ing ovations as they reviewed the plight of political prisoners, many of whom Lynne represented during her 30 years as a people’s attorney.
Entitled “A Celebration of Life and Struggle,” the Bay Area tour brought new energy to the numerous so cial movements that have won few victories in recent years in the face of increasing government repression and seemingly endless wars. The Bay Area tour meet ings were chaired by Jeff Mackler, who has led the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal for the past 20 years and the Lynne Stewart Defense Committee for the past 12. Stewart and Mackler serve as members of the Coordinating Committee of the United National Antiwar Coalition, a position that Stewart retained during her five years of incarceration.
Lynne Stewart remains filled with energy and po litical passion for every social struggle for justice and equality, although she is battling stage-four breast cancer. She is undergoing state-of-the-art treatment at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, as well as other promising alternative medical options, and remains optimistic that the prison prognosis of 9-12 months of life can be significantly extended. “No doubt,” she repeatedly stated, “the love and solidarity Scott Braley (From left) Ralph Poynter, released prisoner Lynne Stewart, and Pam Africa join the applause at Berkeley celebration of Mumia’s 60th birthday.
that I received upon my return home to my family and friends and my ability to continue the fight for all the oppressed and exploited has provided me with the greatest possible incentive to live forever.”
An overjoyed Stewart, upon learning of her winning compassionate release, jokingly stated, “I want to be welcomed at La Guardia with a brass band!” Her wish was granted in San Francisco, when the 10-person Brass Liberation Band of city activists greeted her in a magnificent street rally. Lynne and her life-long companion and leader of her defense, Ralph Poynter, danced on the sidewalk to the cheers of supporters.
“Welcome Home Lynne Stewart: We Cherish Your Freedom” read the banner placed front and center at all Bay Area meetings. “Happy 60th Birthday Mumia Abu-Jamal: We Will Not Rest Until You Are Free” read another. It was a joyous welcome and re-dedication to Mumia’s freedom! n