Philly

by Robert Saleem Holbrook

July 4, Philadelphia protest for death-row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal. Video features Pam Africa, Sundiata Sadiq, Theresa Shoatz, Rebel Diaz, Taina Asili, and more.

Dear Friends,

At the June 14th community meeting about the illegal arrest and eviction of the residents of 1652 Ridge Ave, many of you asked how you could help (for those who need more info please read the press release: http://defenestrator.org/shoestore_raid

Your help will definitely be needed as the residents determine what steps they must take to get their home back, and we hope you'll be available in the coming months to assist with practical needs as they arise. For now, we'd like you to consider contributing a few dollars towards the residents' emergency expenditures of the last few weeks, which total about $1000 (including almost $300 for cell phone usage, several hundred for recording and documentation equipment, gas money, etc.). At this point, we're only trying to raise enough to meet that amount and pay back all the people who fronted money, saving more serious efforts and generosity for when they'll be needed. The residents would much rather be able to rely on you for future support when specific needs become more clear.

Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 2:25 PM

dear friends,

this is something that i want to communicate to as many people as i know, and as many people as they know. please forward this widely.

on the morning of friday june 13th, three plain cloths cops and captian wilson of the ninth district of philadelphia came to my front door. they said they were responding to a complaint about "trespassing in an abandoned building". we have lived in our home for almost 4 years. we are curious about the origin of this "complaint." after one house mate answered the door, asked for a warrant and refused to let the police in they arrested him and stole his keys. they broke in. there was no warrant. they arrested myself and my two other roommates. when asked if there was a warrant they informed us that they didn't need one. we were also informed that we weren't arrested, but were detained...and under investigation.

Home Closed by Dept. of Licensing & Inspections, Property Seized by PA State Police

Press Conference: Tuesday, June 17th, 1 pm, Outside West Side of City Hall

On Tuesday, June 17th, at 1pm, the owners and residents of 1652 Ridge Avenue will hold a press conference on the western steps of City Hall to inform reporters and interested parties about the June 13th police action seizing their property and sealing off their home. Please read the release below for more details.

The Philly Childcare Collective is currently forming and is looking for enthusiastic, amazing, and committed organizers and volunteers!

We are individuals who see childcare as a political act and are excited about working to support the leadership and involvement of families and parents in movement building towards racial and economic justice, by providing free childcare at ongoing meetings and events!

Questions or information? You can email us at phillychildcarecollective@gmail.com or call Ash at 610.256.1774

3 prisoners who forecast their own "suicides"

by dave onion with reporting by Andalusia Knoll

On April 7th this year a small crowd gathered in the Rotunda of the Harrisburg State Capitol to protest recent deaths in Pennsylvania prisons. Most of the demonstrators, who presented a list of demands to law makers were family or friends of the deceased. Some prison advocates and activists were also present from the Fight for Lifers West, STOPMAX Campaign, Prison Society, New Vision Organization, defenestrator and Friends and Family of Prisoners Emergency Response Network. With one of the key organizers stuck in traffic, the protest self organized and relatives of the deceased spoke on the loss of their loved ones.

written by Michael Schiffmann for the German Network Against the Death Penalty and to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal

On Thursday, March 27, the 3rd U.S. Court of Appeals decided to lift the death sentence against Mumia Abu-Jamal and deny him a new trial.

The lifting of the death sentence is a big victory for the movement against the death penalty and for the life and freedom of Mumia.

That the court denied Mumia a new trial is a bitter defeat.

The defense will now seek a decision by the full court instead of the three judge panel that handed down the March 27 decision.

A Philly native talks about life inside the city’s homeless shelters -- and getting kicked out of one for his activism (the author’s name and other identifying information have been removed to protect the innocent).

By Kazembe Balagun
December 24, 2006

On December 16, 2006 over 75 people gathered at LAVA in West Philadelphia. The crowd was a mix of Black liberation movement veterans (young and old), anarchist punks and white queer activists from ACT UP. They came together to pay homage to the late Kuwasi Balagoon, who would have turned 60 years old this year. Balagoon is not an immediately recognizable name in the pantheon of revolutionaries, yet he has developed into an underground hero 20 years after his death. This is due in large part to the maze of contradictions that constructed Balagoon's life.