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Feb.
17 2024
Seattle
Labor Council
Resolution of support for Mumia Abu-Jamal
May
2024
1100 delegates to the International Convention of the Service
Employees International Union (SEIU) voted for a Moratorium
on the Death Penalty and a new trial for Mumia Abu Jamal.
Representing
the largest union in the United States with 1.4 million workers,
this convention was assembled in the very state where Mumia continues
to sit on death row.
Meeting
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the assembled delegates voted without
dissent to demand justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Los
Angeles County Federation of Labor Resolution demands new trial
for Mumia Abu-Jamal Unanimously passed Feb.
28, 2024
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor unanimously approved
a resolution, Feb. 28, calling for a new trial for Mumia Abu Jamal.
The delegates meeting endorsed a motion in the executive committee
— also by unanimous consent — to concur with the request
from AFSCME Local 1108.
The
delegates applauded an explanation from an AFSCME 1108 delegate
on the importance of the struggle in support of Mumia Abu Jamal
and the links of that struggle to the fight against the death
penalty and for equal justice for people of color who make up
most of the death row and inmate population.
The arguments resonated with the Los Angeles delegates who almost
daily hear new revelations of police misconduct, shootings of
unarmed civilians and planting of evident by the LAPD which have
resulted in more than 100 prisoners being released from jail.
The police cover up is still unraveling.
The
Los Angeles County Federation of Labor represents approximately
700,000 workers and is the second largest central labor body in
the country.
Ontario
Federation of Labor & Canadian Auto Workers Council
Unanimously
passed Nov.-Dec., 1999
Resolutions
in support of Mumia - Canada
On
November 29, delegates to the convention of the 600,000-member
Ontario Federation of Labor unanimously passed a resolution from
the St. Catherine's & District Labor Council calling for
staying the death sentence imposed on Mumia and his unconditional
release.
The
resolution also called for the OFL to provide active and ongoing
support for the campaign to win his freedom. Immediately afterwards,
a group of delegates took their message to the doorstep of the
U.S. Consulate in Toronto.
Just
over a week later, a Canadian Auto Workers Council unanimously
adopted a similar resolution.
Information
from Bruce Allen, First Vice President of the St, Catherine's
& District Labor Council.
United
Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners
of America Carpenters Local 713,
Alameda County California 1050 Mattox Road, Hayward, CA 94541-1298
Date:
Jan. 19, 1999
Message
to the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
At its regular meeting of January 14, 1999, Carpenters Local 713
heard about the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Local 713 voted to join
with other voices of organized labor in calling for a new trial
for Brother Jamal.
Fraternally,
John Reimann Recording Secretary
International
Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union Local 10
400 North Point, San Francisco, CA 94133Date:
Jan. 13, 1999
Message
to Sheila Quintana
President, Oakland Education Association
ILWU
Local 10 Executive Board voted last night to commend the Oakland
teachers' union (OEA) for its courageous stand, in the face of
adversity, of pursuing your "Teach-In" on Mumia Abu-Jamal and
the death penalty.Educating
our youth about this critical case is an admirable goal for which
we commend you.
After
hearing the facts of this case, our union voted in 1995 to demand
freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal.
In
solidarity, Larry Wing, President
San Francisco Labor Council, AFL-CIO
1188 Franklin St., Suite 203,
San Francisco, CA 94109
Adopted:
Jan. 11, 1999
Resolution
in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal
WHEREAS,
Mumia Abu-Jamal is an award winning journalist who has been on
death row in Pennsylvania for the past 17 years, and
WHEREAS,
Mumia Abu-Jamal's courageous act of solidarity with locked out
NABET/CWA workers…his refusal to be interviewed by ABC's scab
crews…brought national attention to NABET's just struggle; and
WHEREAS,
Mumia Abu-Jamal has championed the ILWU's courageous efforts in
solidarity with Liverpool dockers in regard to the Neptune Jade
scab ship; and
WHEREAS,
Mumia Abu-Jamal's 1982 trial was characterized by reliance on
contradictory evidence from police, coercion, intimidation, suppression
of critical evidence, illegal exclusion of African-American jurors;
and
WHEREAS,
Mumia Abu-Jamal's struggle for justice, freedom and a new trial
has been supported by a broad range of labor unions, city governments,
religious and social organizations, and others who seek justice
and human rights;
NOW,
THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, the San Francisco Labor Council shall
go on record demanding justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal and a new trial;
and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the San Francisco Labor Council endorses
the April 24, 1999, national protests scheduled for San Francisco
and Philadelphia calling for a new trial for Mr. Jamal; and
BE
IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the San Francisco Labor Council will communicate
its views on the matter to the Governor of Pennsylvania, Thomas
Ridge."
Alameda
County Central Labor Council,
San Francisco, CA
Passed: Jan. 4, 1999
Resolution
in Solidarity with Political Prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal
Whereas,
black political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal has been imprisoned since
1982, on Pennsylvania's death row for a crime which he did not
commit, and
Whereas,
his execution by the state was stopped only by massive international
protests in 1995, and
Whereas,
after recently losing his appeal at the state level he once again
faces imminent execution, and
Whereas,
despite this threat to his life Mumia has unflinchingly put himself
on the forefront of labor's struggle to defend its fundamental
right to organize and honor picket lines by 1) publicly supporting
the ILWU last year in its victorious 'Neptune Jade' fight against
maritime employees who attacked the union for an act of international
labor solidarity, and 2) refusing to give an interview for the
TV program '20/20' to strikebreakers during the present ABC-TV
lockout of NABET-CWA workers, despite the necessity to publicize
his case,
Therefore
it be resolved that, the Alameda County Central Labor Council
goes on record commending brother Mumia Abu-Jamal for his principled
and courageous acts of class solidarity and we send a copy of
this resolution to the other Labor Councils in the state of California
and request they join us in recognizing his acts of solidarity.
Submitted
by Jack Heyman, ILWU Local 10 delegate.
Hotel
Employees & Restaurant Employees Union Local 2
209 Golden Gate Ave.,
San Francisco, CA 94102
Date: Nov. 9, 1998
Message
to the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
We
wish to join our voice with other labor organizations throughout
the nation representing millions of working people to call for
an end to injustice in the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Seventeen
years after his conviction we believe that credible evidence exists
to vindicate this man. Mumia was prevented from presenting an
adequate defense at his trial. Prosecution evidence appeared to
have been tainted and prejudicial. Also, his attorney at the time
admitted he was not prepared to go forward and did not have time
to handle the case.
The
sitting judge, Albert Sabo, who during the trial ruled with the
prosecution 100% of the time, has sentenced more than twice as
many people to death, most of whom are persons of color, than
any other judge in the country.
In
view of the fact that Mumia has been denied justice for 17 years,
we support his request for a new trial. We urge you to do what
you can to stop Pennsylvania's single-minded drive to execute
this man.
Sincerely,
Mike Casey, President"
Oakland
Education Association
272
East 12th Street, Suite C,
Oakland, CA 94606
Unanimously
passed: Nov. 17, 1998
Executive
Board resolution in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal
On
a Districtwide basis on January 14, in at least the Adult Schools,
high schools, and middle schools, the OEA will educate and organize
its members to replace regular instruction with organized assemblies
or other instructional events to discuss the issues around, and
the protests about, Mumia's execution.
So
that Elementary teachers can develop appropriate curriculum for
their students, OEA will include Elementary schools in discussions
and mailings. We will invite the support of the other OUSD unions
and of the Oakland School Board but our action will proceed in
any case."
Labor
Party Resolution Number 18 in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal
Passed: 1998 at the Labor Party National Convention
Be
it resolved that the Labor Party 1998 Convention goes on record
demanding justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal, a world-renowned award
winning journalist, courageous defender of the rights of the working
class and oppressed people is a prisoner on death row in Pennsylvania.
Be
it further resolved, that we demand a new trial, due to the mockery
of his 1982 trial; that was characterized by reliance on contradictory
evidence from police, coercion, intimidation, bribery by the police
of prosecution witnesses; police suppression of evidence, the
illegal exclusion of African-American jurors and the blatant bias
of Judge Albert Sabo;
Be
it further resolved, that the Labor Party joins the hundreds of
thousands of people from all walks of life around the world, who
have demanded justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal;
Be
it finally resolved, to promptly communicate this resolution to
Governor Tom Ridge.
International Longshoremen's
& Warehousemen's Union,
AFL-CIO
1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Date: Feb. 10, 1995
Message
to Pennsylvania Governor Thomas J. Ridge
The
International Longshoremen's & Warehousemen's Union and many of
its affiliates have written to your predecessor, Governor Robert
Casey, plead for the life of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the award-winning,
nationally-renowned African-American activist and journalist who
presently sits on Pennsylvania's death row.
We
wish to renew our pleas with you in hopes that they will not fall
on deaf ears. The questionable circumstances surrounding Jamal's
arrest, trial and conviction have persuaded us that justice demands
commutation of his death sentence.
The
actions of the Philadelphia police, the denial of Jamal's request
for personal counsel, unfair jury selection procedures, the prosecution's
failure to call witnesses and many other factors are too disturbing
to be ignored when the life of a human being is on the line.
We
understand that Jamal has exhausted his appeals.
His fate now rests in your hands. We join Amnesty International,
the NAACP and many other reputable organizations and individuals
in asking that you take immediate steps to spare Jamal's life.
Thank
you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Brian McWilliams International President
Bay Area Typographical Union Local 21
433 Natoma St. Room 200,
San Francisco, CA 94103
Date: Feb. 2, 1995
Letter
to Pennsylvania Governor Thomas J. Ridge
Bay
Area Typographical Union # 21 has joined other labor unions and
organizations, as well as many concerned citizens, in demanding
freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal, whom we consider to be an innocent
victim of a racial and political frame-up.
We
wrote to your predecessor in office on his behalf in 1993, and
now we are writing to you. We are deeply concerned by the possibility
that an execution warrant might be signed for him.
We
understand that new legal evidence is being brought out, on the
basis of which his attorneys will soon be filing for a new trial.
Amnesty
International has spoken out against the death sentence in this
case.
Should
he be executed at this point, this would disgrace the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America as a whole.
Sincerely,
Nick Oren Secretary-Treasurer
Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific Marine Division - International
Longshoremen's & Warehousemen's Union
National Office: 2700 First Ave.,
Seattle, WA 98121
June 25, 1990
Message to former Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey
I
write to you concerning the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, whose appeal
to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has been denied, leaving Mr.
Abu-Jamal's life in your hands.
At
the Fourteenth Convention of the Inlandboatmen's Union of the
Pacific, Marine Division of the International Longshoremen's and
Warehousemen's Union (June 2, AND 3 1990);
a Resolution passed unanimously that our Union write, and formally
notify you that our union stands opposed to the execution of Mr.
Abu-Jamal, and request you, in your capacity as Governor, to reject
the death penalty for Mr. Abu-Jamal.
Although
our Union has not taken a formal stand, either for or against
capital punishment, it is our opinion that there are too many
unanswered questions in this case to put a man to death. Regardless
of whether you are, or are not a supporter of capital punishment,
by putting this man to death without the right to appeal, is nothing
short of murder.
Again,
we ask that you commute the death sentence of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Sincerely
yours,
Steven
V. Rodgers National Secretary Treasurer
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