Paris praises Mumia

[Swift Terror 0]

http://www.expatica.com/france.asp?pad=278...,&item_id=34732

 

PARIS, Oct 4 (AFP) - The city of Paris Saturday made an honorary citizen of celebrated US death row inmate and black activist Mumia Abu-Jamal, sentenced to die for the 1981 murder of a white Philadelphia policeman.

It is the first time Paris has bestowed the honour since Pablo Picasso was made honorary citizen in 1971, Socialist mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe told an audience of 200 people, taking the occasion to attack the "barbarity" of the death penalty.

 

Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther civil rights activist and journalist who has maintained his innocence, had his death sentence overturned in December of 2001 but that decision is currently on appeal.

 

In attacking the "barbarity called the death penalty," the mayor said "as long as there is a place on this planet where one can be killed in the name of the community, we haven't finished our work."

 

Raising his fist in a sign of solidarity, Delanoe then shouted "Mumia is a Parisian!" as the crowd of mostly-leftist activists cheered and applauded.

 

Black activist Angela Davis, a former member of the Black Panthers and the Communist Party, hailed the "profound sense of humanity" of Abu-Jamal, attacking American "unilateralism" and racist attacks against immigrants.

 

The movement to free Abu-Jamal "takes on a new sense in face of American unilateralism, the aggression against the Iraqi people and the racist attacks against immigrants which can only further gnaw away at the vestiges of democracy in the United States," Davis, a professor at the University of California in Santa Cruz, said.

 

Abu-Jamal, sentenced to death 21 years ago for the murder of Daniel Faulkner, has always insisted he was innocent, and scores of movements and organizations have sprung up around the world in his defence.

 

His opponents view him as an unrepentant murderer.

 

His case has provoked particularly vivid debate in France, which abolished the death penalty in 1981. French school children are required to study the case as part of their education.

 

I wasn't aware that Mumia has profound humanity. Well, she's a learned member of academia, I guess she's right.

 

I'd love to see Ms Davis' syllabus for whatever class she teaches.

 

 

And now for today's "this date in French history:

 

8 Oct 1940

 

Marshal Henri Petain (ruled Vuchy regime) says, "France must free herself from all so-called traditional friendships and enmities." LMAO

[Guest Sylvan Grenier]

J'aime Mumia! Il est un homme tout le monde admireraient. Vive Mumia!

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

(Je parle francais un peu et tres mal)

 

Yet another reason to flip the switch.

 

And of course it's so important to know the race of the officer he shot...

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I do feel the death penalty should be abolished. Most of the rest of the world has done it, and it's not worth the (considerable) risk of killing an innocent man.

 

 

But France "honoring" a convicted cop-killer is the most disgusting thing I've ever read. As a Philadelphian, I probobly don't know as much about the case as I should, but I do know this:

 

There has yet to be found any conclusive evidence to counter the conviction that Mumia recieved. Until I see some, he's guilty. He's been convicted by a jury of his peers and the burden of proof is now on HIM.

[Swift Terror 0]

correction: should be Vichy France, not Vuchy.

 

Churchill hated the guy (French boy Petain wanted to concede to Hitler, Churchill wanted to fight), yet another reason to make fun of the French.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I'm sure Churchill wouldn't care too much for Mumia, too...

[Vyce 0]

And people wonder why some of us here have no respect for the French.

 

A COP-KILLER.

 

They couldn't find anyone else here worthy of giving this "honor." He was the best choice, huh?

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Maybe France thinks if it makes Mumia one of its own, he won't be executed...

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Well of course he's perfect to be honored.

 

I mean all he does is bash the U.S. and Bush.

[Guest MD2020]

Why does France love Philly's murderers? This and letting Einhorn stay for years.

 

I'm beginning to think they might not like us all that much.

[Guest Brian]

It's sad how taking up arms ruined the Black Panthers.

[Guest JMA]

There is no excuse or justification for this action. Even if you are against the death penalty you shouldn't be "honoring" people on death row. Period.

[Guest MikeSC]

http://www.expatica.com/france.asp?pad=278...,&item_id=34732

 

PARIS, Oct 4 (AFP) - The city of Paris Saturday made an honorary citizen of celebrated US death row inmate and black activist Mumia Abu-Jamal, sentenced to die for the 1981 murder of a white Philadelphia policeman.

It is the first time Paris has bestowed the honour since Pablo Picasso was made honorary citizen in 1971, Socialist mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe told an audience of 200 people, taking the occasion to attack the "barbarity" of the death penalty.

 

Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther civil rights activist and journalist who has maintained his innocence, had his death sentence overturned in December of 2001 but that decision is currently on appeal.

 

In attacking the "barbarity called the death penalty," the mayor said "as long as there is a place on this planet where one can be killed in the name of the community, we haven't finished our work."

 

Raising his fist in a sign of solidarity, Delanoe then shouted "Mumia is a Parisian!" as the crowd of mostly-leftist activists cheered and applauded.

 

Black activist Angela Davis, a former member of the Black Panthers and the Communist Party, hailed the "profound sense of humanity" of Abu-Jamal, attacking American "unilateralism" and racist attacks against immigrants.

 

The movement to free Abu-Jamal "takes on a new sense in face of American unilateralism, the aggression against the Iraqi people and the racist attacks against immigrants which can only further gnaw away at the vestiges of democracy in the United States," Davis, a professor at the University of California in Santa Cruz, said.

 

Abu-Jamal, sentenced to death 21 years ago for the murder of Daniel Faulkner, has always insisted he was innocent, and scores of movements and organizations have sprung up around the world in his defence.

 

His opponents view him as an unrepentant murderer.

 

His case has provoked particularly vivid debate in France, which abolished the death penalty in 1981. French school children are required to study the case as part of their education.

 

I wasn't aware that Mumia has profound humanity. Well, she's a learned member of academia, I guess she's right.

 

I'd love to see Ms Davis' syllabus for whatever class she teaches.

 

 

And now for today's "this date in French history:

 

8 Oct 1940

 

Marshal Henri Petain (ruled Vuchy regime) says, "France must free herself from all so-called traditional friendships and enmities." LMAO

Hmm, Mumia is now an honorary citizen of Paris.

 

Thus, technically, he's an honorary citizen of France.

 

Can we deport him now?

-=Mike

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

Does anyone know where one can learn about the case?

[Guest deadbeater]

Ok, here's the disputed facts

 

Mumia saw his brother getting arrested or beat down by what turned out to be an undercover cop and went over to help or whatnot. A struggle soon followed and the cop wound up dead, and Mumia was holding a gun, crying. Meanwhile, the brother escaped. A heavily majority white jury found Mumia guilty of first degree murder, while his brother remained in hiding, and could not testify on behalf of Jamal.

 

The thing is that Mumia is one of the best journalists in the world; he is no Jayson Blair. I have seen his writing; it is unbelievably excellent. Someone that talented on Death Row, combined with a corrupt city of Philadelphia, and you get massive protests of him getting the death penalty. But the brother is still not testifying, and for that, Jamal may be toast.

Edited October 8, 2003 by deadbeater

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

Ok, here's the disputed facts

 

Mumia saw his brother getting arrested or beat down by what turned out to be an undercover cop and went over to help or whatnot. A struggle soon followed and the cop wound up dead, and Mumia was holding a gun, crying. Meanwhile, the brother escaped (this will become important). A majority white jury found Mumia guilty of first degree (brother remained in hiding, and did not testify on behalf of Jamal).

 

The thing is that Mumia is one of the best journalists in the world; he is no Jayson Blair. I have seen his writing, it is unbelievably excellent. Someone that talented on Death Row, combined with a corrupt city of Philadelphia, and you get massive protests of him getting the death penalty. But the brother is still not testifying, and for that, Jamal may be toast.

I can't form an opinion about it based off of that alone. I need something a bit more detailed. Any websites, or some such?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

That you won't find.

 

Almost every website that tries to present the facts is fiercely pro-Mumia.

 

Just take into account he's failed multiple appeals.

[Guest deadbeater]

Just about all the web sites are biased, for or against. The Village Voice features articles by Mumia, and there are friendly words on his behalf in Voice articles from time to time. Also, there is a site by the family of cop Daniel Faulkner that is pretty well done.

 

This case most likely will go to a second trial, as even the Supreme Court, statitics unfriendly as it is, should not swallow that in Philly of all places, should have a 10-2 White to Black ratio on the jury. However, Black people tend to find criminals guilty at a more frequent rate than any other race.

Edited October 8, 2003 by deadbeater

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

Well... from what little I've been given (and I thank you for that deadbeater) then Mumia should not have been found guilty since there is no way to conclusively prove that he comitted the crime and not his brother. And in the American law system the burdan of proof rests on the prosecution.

 

Again, that's my impression from the little I've been afforded.

[BX 0]

Just to clarify, the only reason Mumia owned a gun was because he was employed as a cab driver at the time, and he had been robbed multiple times.

 

However, that Abu-Jamal owned was a .38 caliber pistol. The bullets they took out of Officer Faulkners body were from a .45 caliber pistol.

 

I could pull multiple sources for this allegation, but I imagine you guys would yell "OMFG VAST LEFTY NEWSOURCE ROFL!~@!"

[Justice 0]

Just to clarify, the only reason Mumia owned a gun was because he was employed as a cab driver at the time, and he had been robbed multiple times.

 

However, that Abu-Jamal owned was a .38 caliber pistol. The bullets they took out of Officer Faulkners body were from a .45 caliber pistol.

 

I could pull multiple sources for this allegation, but I imagine you guys would yell "OMFG VAST LEFTY NEWSOURCE ROFL!~@!"

Actually his defense lawyers admitted that not long ago that they were most likely from a .38 caliber weapon.

 

Edit: Here's the website. Of course I'm sure some of you will think it's biased, but they present a massive amount of evidence to prove their point. Feel free to try and refute the defense's own witness backing out on them.

 

And they claim it was a .44, not a .45.

Edited October 8, 2003 by Powerplay

[BX 0]

 

Image Placeholder while I prepare a response.

[Justice 0]

 

Image Placeholder while I prepare a response.

Just wanna say nice choice.

[Vyce 0]

I wonder if I could spare us all the trouble and just arrange to have the bastard shivved in the showers.

 

Gotta go make some phone calls.....

[Vern Gagne 0]

 

I'll start the petition.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Eh, If I were going to pick someone in prison to shank Mumia, it wouldn't be a serial killer. That kind of work is best left to a crackhead, or drunk wifebeater..something of that ilk.

[Skywarp! 0]

The reason the wrong caliber bullet was written down on the examiner's sheet is that, obviously, the doctor who removed it is not a weapon's expert.

 

This story boils my blood.

[Guest MD2020]

Ok, here's the disputed facts

 

Mumia saw his brother getting arrested or beat down by what turned out to be an undercover cop and went over to help or whatnot. A struggle soon followed and the cop wound up dead, and Mumia was holding a gun, crying. Meanwhile, the brother escaped. A heavily majority white jury found Mumia guilty of first degree murder, while his brother remained in hiding, and could not testify on behalf of Jamal.

 

The thing is that Mumia is one of the best journalists in the world; he is no Jayson Blair. I have seen his writing; it is unbelievably excellent. Someone that talented on Death Row, combined with a corrupt city of Philadelphia, and you get massive protests of him getting the death penalty. But the brother is still not testifying, and for that, Jamal may be toast.

Uh....no.

 

Mumia's brother, William Cook, was pulled over for going the wrong way down a one-way street. Faulkner radioed that he pulled over Cook's car, and then went out to investigate. Clark started to refuse arrest, struck Faulkner, and a struggle happened.

 

Mumia was across the street at this time, and ran towards the two men. While about 10-12 inches away, Mumia shot Faulkner in the back. Faulkner turned and returned fire, striking Mumia in the chest. Then, as Faulkner laid on the ground, Mumia put his gun a few inches from his face and pulled the trigger, sending a bullet into Faulkner's brain, and killing him instanly.

 

As for the racial aspect of the jury, there has been no evidence shown that this is the case. Mumia himself used his peremptory challanges to exclude black jurors. And, in both 1989 and 1998, the PA Supreme Court found "not a trace of support for an inference that the use of peremptories was racially motivated".

[Ripper 0]

Ok, here's the disputed facts

 

Mumia saw his brother getting arrested or beat down by what turned out to be an undercover cop and went over to help or whatnot.  A struggle soon followed and the cop wound up dead, and Mumia was holding a gun, crying.  Meanwhile, the brother escaped.  A heavily majority white jury found Mumia guilty of first degree murder, while his brother remained in hiding, and could not testify on behalf of Jamal.

 

The thing is that Mumia is one of the best journalists in the world; he is no Jayson Blair.  I have seen his writing; it is unbelievably excellent.  Someone that talented on Death Row, combined with a corrupt city of Philadelphia, and you get massive protests of him getting the death penalty.  But the brother is still not testifying, and for that, Jamal may be toast.

Uh....no.

 

Mumia's brother, William Cook, was pulled over for going the wrong way down a one-way street. Faulkner radioed that he pulled over Cook's car, and then went out to investigate. Clark started to refuse arrest, struck Faulkner, and a struggle happened.

 

Mumia was across the street at this time, and ran towards the two men. While about 10-12 inches away, Mumia shot Faulkner in the back. Faulkner turned and returned fire, striking Mumia in the chest. Then, as Faulkner laid on the ground, Mumia put his gun a few inches from his face and pulled the trigger, sending a bullet into Faulkner's brain, and killing him instanly.

 

As for the racial aspect of the jury, there has been no evidence shown that this is the case. Mumia himself used his peremptory challanges to exclude black jurors. And, in both 1989 and 1998, the PA Supreme Court found "not a trace of support for an inference that the use of peremptories was racially motivated".

there are 1000's of accounts of that day, and the one you have is from the people that believe that he is guilty. Go to a site that thinks he's innocent and it will tell another story.

 

Like its said, there's nowhere to get a definitive story anymore. I personally don't give a shit.

[Guest MD2020]

Just to clarify, the only reason Mumia owned a gun was because he was employed as a cab driver at the time, and he had been robbed multiple times.

 

However, that Abu-Jamal owned was a .38 caliber pistol. The bullets they took out of Officer Faulkners body were from a .45 caliber pistol.

 

I could pull multiple sources for this allegation, but I imagine you guys would yell "OMFG VAST LEFTY NEWSOURCE ROFL!~@!"

And do you know why we would say "OMFG VAST LEFTY NEWSOURCE ROFL!~@!"? C'mon, take a guess. Just one guess. Want more time--no? Give up? Well, I'll let you know:

 

BECAUSE IT'S NOT FUCKING TRUE!!

 

 

Christ, man--even the expert testimony by the Defense's own ballistics expert concedes that in all probablilty it was a .38

 

And hey--offical ballistics tests have shown that the fatal bullet was a .38 Federal Brand Special +P with a hollow base. Which happens to be the same type (+P with a hollow base), brand (Federal), and caliber (.38) as the bullets in Jamal's gun.

 

I think that some of these RAGE AGAINST THE PARENTS websites and lefty news organizations need to update their pages and get rid of this aspect. When your own guy says it's not a .44, it's time to give up the ghost.