Mumia’s Greetings to the: Oct. 27 Anti-War Protests

by Mumia Abu-Jamal / November 2007 issue of Socialist Action newspaper

A two-minute taped speech by innocent death row inmate, political prisoner, and incisive social commentator Mumia Abu-Jamal was played in San Francisco and several other cities. It was greeted with thunderous applause.

Said Mumia: "Thanks for your invitation for me to speak to you today! For millions of people (I among them) the Nov. 2006 elections marked a major turning point in U.S. politics—or so we thought.

"The elections had one, single motivation: to end the Iraq war. Well, the elections changed majorities in Congress. But did it change U.S. policy? Nope. Before the numbers of votes could all be counted, you heard the backtracking: ‘we must be cautious,’ ‘if we leave now, there'd be chaos,’ etc., etc.

"Now, Democrats say openly that no significant troop withdrawal can come before 2012—five more years! And then, don't you think you'll hear an additional five or 10 years?

"War isn't a Democratic or Republican project—it is a corporate one, where both corporate parties play the game laid down by their sponsors and contributors. Here we see the convergence between neoliberals and neoconservatives, who join in their service to corporate power. Their 'fight' (if it can be called that) is over who can represent their bosses best (and, by this, I don't mean voters!).

"But, people, working through popular movements, can change how politicians think, speak, and even act. If you put your trust in the same politicians, you'll achieve the same result—disappointment, frustration, and yes, betrayal. What kind of democracy is it if you vote for peace, only to get more war?

"But the answer isn't less protests—it's more protests! To finally bring peace, the People must bring it!"