April 25, 1999: 25 years ago, April 24 1999, over 20,000 people marched in San Francisco, [...]
25 years ago, April 24 1999, over 20,000 people marched in San Francisco, and the ILWU shut down all West Coast ports, to call for the freedom of Mumia Abu-Jamal. The demonstration was planned to coincide with Mumia’s 45th birthday. Today he turned 70 and is still imprisoned
Many students joined the march, including most of the student body from Oakland Technical High School, who earlier that week took a symbolic student body vote to abolish the death penalty. Mumia was on death row until 2011
The ILWU led the march, holding up a banner with their slogan “An Injury to One Is an Injury to All.” Jack Heyman, executive board member of ILWU Local 10 told reporters, “We shut down the West Coast for Mumia.”
Mumia is famously known for his incredible prison radio commentaries, which you can find an archive of linked below. His most recent recording is from two days ago is titled “Black in Gaza.”
You can also access the link to his emergency legal & medical defense fund here:
