As the crucial May 17th deadline looms closer we decided to hit you off with a Free Mumia mixtape. Included in this Breakdown FM are up to date interviews with Fred Hampton Jr and Pam Africa who drop the full 4-1-1 on what’s at stake with regards to Mumia and how the police have been reacting to the planned rally in Philly. To say the least the police who we support with our hard earned tax dollars have been off the hook with their deplorable actions. In fact they gone so far as to beat down fellow Black and Latino officers in the city of Brotherly Love. We also included several Mumia commentaries focusing on Hip Hop, Black Leadership and the treatment of women. Lastly we included some words of wisdom from Assata Shakur. Of course we included some slamming music that pays tribute to Mumia. Below is information about the Thursday’s court date and rally in Philly CYNTHIA MCKINNEY, AMIRI BARAKA, WARD CHURCHILL AND OTHERS URGE YOU TO COME TO PHILLY ON MAY 17TH! ORAL ARGUMENTS for Mumia in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals will finally begin on May 17th in Philadelphia. As a result of these hearings he can either get a new trial, life in prison without parole or executed. On May 17 at 8:30 AM, be at the U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia on 6th and Market Streets to demand JUSTICE for Mumia! FOR TRANSPORTATION FROM NYC CALL (212)330-8029 Below is a letter from Mumia’s Lawyer… The following is a letter (12/6/05) from Robert Bryan (lead counsel for Mumia Abu-Jamal) which initially announced the court’s ‘legal order’ to hear certain claims presented by Mumia’s defense. If won, these claims can possibly win Mumia a new trial, or hearing. If lost, Mumia will be in serious danger. Below the letter are articles and information expanding on the info layed out in Bryan’s letter, and the implications of the ‘legal order’. For recent legal updates, visit the homepage at freemumia.com ORAL ARGUMENTS CONCERNING THESE CLAIMS, AND THOSE OF THE PROSECUTION BEGIN ON MAY 17 IN PHILLY! ALL OUT IN PHILLY ON MAY 17! Dear Friends and Supporters: Today the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued the most important decision affecting my client, Mumia Abu-Jamal, since the lower federal court ruling in December 2001. An order was issued this morning that the court will accept for review the following issues, all of which are of enormous constitutional significance and go to the very essence of Mumia’s right to a fair trial due process of law, and equal protection of the law under the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution: Claim 14 : Whether appellant was denied his constitutional rights due to the prosecution’s trial summation. Claim 16 : Whether the Commonwealth’s use of peremptory challenges at trial violated appellant’s constitutional rights under Batson v. Kentucky , 476 U.S. 79 (1986). Claim 29 : Whether appellant was denied due process during post-conviction proceedings as a result of alleged judicial bias. Claim 16 concerns the prosecutorial use of racism in jury selection. The record establishes beyond question that racism is a major thread that has run through this case since Mumia’s 1981 arrest, and continues to today. Claim 14 relates to the guilt phase. It includes the prosecutor’s argument that if convicted Mumia would have “appeal after appeal.” That comment effectively lessened the burden of the jurors, and turned the concept of reasonable doubt and presumption of innocence on its head. Claim 29 is about the bias and incredible racism of Judge Albert Sabo, the trial judge. Unfortunately, it is limited to his conduct at the 1995 evidentiary (PCRA) hearing, rather than his monstrous behavior at trial. This restriction is because all of the prior attorneys mistakenly did not attack Sabo’s misconduct at trial, an unfortunate oversight and mistake The court has also issued a briefing schedule. The case is now on the fast track, as I have been predicting. The opening briefs are due to be filed by January 17, 2006. Please post this e-mail and the attached Order on your web sites, and circulate it. Today we achieved a great victory in the campaign to win a new trial and the eventual freedom of Mumia. Your support, and activism, is badly needed and appreciated. VIEW THE LEGAL ORDER HERE With best wishes, Robert R. Bryan Law Offices of Robert R. Bryan 2088 Union Street, Suite 4 San Francisco , California 94123 Lead counsel for Mumia Abu-Jamal PS the order also grants the Prosecutions request to hear claim 25, which was the claim which Judge Yohn used to suspend Mumia’s death sentence. Obviously the prosecution is seeking the reimposition of that sentence. COME OUT TO THE CONCERT FOR MUMIA FEAT. IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE ON MAY 16! (Rotunda 4014 Walnut st) MAY 16 TEACH IN FOR MUMIA WITH KATHLEEN CLEAVER AND OTHERS! People from around the world are organizing for May 17. In London in front of the US Embassy (Grosvenor Sqare) on May 17th, at 6:30pm, there will be a demonstration in support of Mumia. In Helsinki, Finland, supporters will be rallying for Mumia at 14:00 (Finland time) outside of the USA embassy. On May 12 supporters in Berlin are holding a demonstration. Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC) • info@freemumia.com • (212) 330-8029 Less