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Birthday Celebration for Mumia honors Texas Jailhouse Writ Writers
The Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement brought Political Analysis of Mumia’s Case, Book Sale & Signing, Birthday Cake and Ice Cream to SHAPE Community Center this past Saturday for Mumia Abu Jamal's Birthday, and to celebrate his book.
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On Saturday April 25th, the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement hosted a birthday event and book release party for Mumia Abu Jamal and his new book Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A..
Local activists Ray Hill of KPFT's Prison Show, civil rights activist Ester King, and Black Panther veteran Sister Ayana all read excerpts of Mumia's new book and added commentary about the contributions Mumia has made to our understanding of what is going on in the world and how he has impacted and radicalized a number of folks in attendance.
Following a poet, Bilal (I think), Gloria of TDPAM read the obituary she wrote for David Ruiz a prolific writ writer from east Austin who wrote a civil rights complaint which became Ruiz vs. Estelle, where the Texas Department of Criminal Justice(sic) was forced into the 20th century, by making the federal government take over the state prison system to ensure that basic constitutional and human rights were given to prisoners in Texas.
This was followed by 3 Houstonians who spoke about their struggles inside the prison system and the role that writ writers played. Sensei
Benton, Bobby Mudd, and Prince Imari Obedele all spoke about the human rights abuses they expierienced and how writ writing was one of the most powerful tools that prison activists had to defend their rights and struggle for justice.
I had to leave before the cake was cut, but was very inspired by the event. It was a great chance for us to share the history of struggles that have taken place and are virtually undocumented in our community, and keep alive the struggle to free Mumia and all political prisoners.
Around 50 people came to the Event
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Poet Bilal read a poem composed for Mumia
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A Peoples Party 2 and Houston Black Panthers Veteran (and Vietnam Veteran). Worked with a group of Writ Writers on the Eastham Unit. More on the activism side than the writing.
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Started writ writing after writing a letter to Congressman Mickey Leeland, that was read by everyone at the prison, and not by Leeland. Got out of prison last year and works with the Prison Show on KPFT.
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In memory of Shaka, Free Mumia!
