A MESSAGE FROM ASSATA SHAKUR

HAVANA The first time I heard a tape of one of Mumia's radio broadcasts, it was the first time I fully understood why the United States government was so intent on putting him to death, Mumia, the only African political prisoner on death row, didn't use any inflammatory rhetoric, what he said was so clear, so true, that I had to stop everything I was doing and concentrate on his message.

Mumia Abu-Jamal, journalist, husband, father, grandfather and African American is not only articulate, he is brilliant. He has the ability to say what needs to be said, in the clearest, most vivid way. His language, his strength and his intelligence reminds me of one man, El Hajj Malik Shabazz, otherwise known as Malcolm X. Mumia Abu-Jamal is a man who has truly carried on Malcolm's tradition, and the tradition of so many of our freedom fighters who have risked their lives for the freedom of their people. This year as I celebrated Malcolm's birthday, I couldn't stop thinking about Mumia. I couldn't stop thinking about the man who has spent 13 years on death row, and remains strong, committed and beautiful. Mumia, political activist, revolutionary and humanist has followed faithfully in Malcolm's foot steps. We can feel Malcolm's energy working through Mumia, we can feel Mumia's energy carrying on Malcolm's legacy. If Malcolm X were alive today, I know he would be fighting to save Mumia's life. If Malcolm was alive today, I know he would be fighting to free all political prisoners. In the name of Malcolm X. I make a special appeal to you, Sisters and Brothers, to fight tooth and nail to save Mumia's life and to free him from the grips of his oppressors.

As you honor our forefathers and foremothers I urge you all to honor our living heroes. When you honor the names of Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman and Malcolm X, I urge you to honor the names of Geronimo Pratt, Sundiata Acoli, Mutulu Shakur and Mumia Abu-Jamal. I urge you not to forget, and not to betray our living heroes. If we ignore their struggle, we are ignoring our own. If we betray our living history, then we are betraying ourselves. We could not save Malcolm X, but we can save Mumia. We can save him and we must save him, because we love our Brother, and we need our Brother to help us fight for our freedom.

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal! Free all political prisoners! Let us carry on our tradition to freedom!   -   Assata Shakur

Ex Political Prisoner in exile in Havana, Cuba
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