Article: After a Brief Layover in Abu Dhabi, I've Reached Doha

Well, I've finally arrived at the hotel in Doha after a brief layover in Abu Dhabi. Tomorrow, we do a full day of press, starting with Al Jazeera. In an abundance of caution, I have alerted the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Justice of my travels, in addition to note I sent to the White House. Additionally, today I've read that more than 40 NGOs called for free movement of humanitarian goods into Gaza. This is good.

I began this journey on Juneteenth, the day in June on which slaves learned that they had been freed in January! Interesting, on that day I also sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder requesting an investigation into the denial of Mumia Abu-Jamal's civil rights, and I learned, sadly, that United Nations troops of occupation opened fire on Haitians as they mourned the passing of their hero and Aristide ally, Father Jean-Juste.

Thanks to all of you for your interest and support of DIGNITY and here's the letter I sent to Attorney General Holder for Mumia:

Mr. Eric Holder
United States Attorney General
US Department of Justice
Washington, DC

June 19, 2009

Attorney General Holder:

I am writing to ask for your personal and immediate intervention to put an end to a grave injustice. Anyone who has read the reports, as I have, including briefs and opinions of the Courts, knows that Mumia Abu-Jamal was tried and convicted amid sensationalism and hysteria that, at its core, constituted a racial frenzy. Indicting words from the Judge, himself, point to racism and prejudice even inside the Courtroom. The “Batson Issue” should be of real concern to everyone interested in justice. Sadly, Mumia was convicted amid the very racial cowardice of which you, yourself, have spoken.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is known for, among other things, having said that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Ignoring any instance of racism inside the courtroom leads to injustice that threatens us all.

There is no statute of limitations on the U.S. Constitution and I therefore request that you do all within your power to review the totality of the circumstances as they are now known in 2009 in the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal and ensure that his Constitutional rights (in the form of racially-tinged prosecutorial and judicial misconduct) were and are not abridged. The imperative for a civil rights investigation is clear and I specifically request that of your office.

I am prepared to meet with you or anyone you designate for the purpose of engaging in a dialogue on this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Please accept this request within all applicable rules and regulations.