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The FNV Newsletter
written by Davey D
http://www.daveyd.com
http://www.rapstation.com
FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN TROUBLE: HIP HOP TO THE RESCUE
We noted a few issues back about the upcoming Hip Hop benefit
concert to raise money for the defense of former Civil Rights
activist, and Black Panther member Jamil Abdullah Al Amin [H Rap
Brown]. Artists like Mos Def, Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Planet
Asia, Mystic and Zion I will all descend upon the Watts Labor
Community Action Center in LA this Saturday May 12th to raise money
and awareness for H Rap Brown who has been accused of shooting two
police officers in Atlanta a little more than a year ago. Thus far
there is a huge buzz about the event as people from all over the
state are expected to come down to LA for the concert..
Meanwhile 400 miles away in the Bay Area, dozens of Hip Hop artists
are gearing up for a huge Hip Hop rebellion concert at San
Francisco's Civic Center. The afternoon event [1pm] is free to the
public and is designed to show support and awareness for political
prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal. For those who don't know Mumia has been on
Pennsylvania's death row for almost 20 years for the shooting death
of a Philadelphia Police officer. On the fateful night in question,
Mumia who was a well respected journalist and radio commentator was
moonlighting as a cab driver. he came upon an altercation which
depicted his brother being beaten by the police. At that period in
time, police beatings of Black citizens were commonplace in the city
of Brotherly Love. In fact there was a huge 60 Minutes or 20/20
Report about the police brutality incidents under the leadership of
police Chief and later Mayor Frank Rizzo.
When Mumia went to aid his brother, shots rang out and a police
officer lay dead. Mumia was accused of the shooting and was
subsequently shot my officers who later beat him badly while he lay in
his hospital bead recovering from his own injuries. Since that time
there has been all sorts of craziness surrounding his trial
proceedings. There has been accusations that Mumia was railroaded and
never given a fair trial in which crucial evidence could be
introduced. Many speculate that this was due to Mumia's political
activism. He was an outspoken journalist who frequently wrote and
commented on racial injustice and police brutality. He was dubbed the
voice of the voiceless. At age 15 he started a Black Panther chapter
in Philadelphia. He later became a member of the organization MOVE
which had its headquarters and group members killed when former
Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode allowed a bomb to be dropped on them
after a police standoff. Mumia's appeals had been all but shut down
and he has come close to being executed a couple of times.
At this point in time he has one last chance to get his conviction
overturned and his death sentenced removed... There has been new
evidence and a witness ready to come forward and testify that the
police officer Daniel Faulkner who was killed in the altercation may
have been the target of a mob hit when Mumia came upon them. The word
is that Faulkner was getting ready to blow the whistle on some of the
rampant police corruption that existed within the department. We'll
see how this whole thing turns out..
In the meantime, this Saturday's rally will include performances from
well known underground artists like Blackalicious, Company of
Prophets, Bas Bombing Soundz, Naru, AK Black, Bamuthi, The Bishop, Aya
De Leon and many more. An estimated 10 to 15 thousand people are
expected to turn out.. Such high numbers are not unusual for Mumia
Rallys here in San Francisco. There may be quite a bit more because
of the Hip Hop performances...
On a side note, the Hip Hop Rebellion Rally will coincide with an
incredible Hip Hop Compilation for Mumia being presented by KPFA's
Hard Knock Radio Crew.. Major Props to fellow co-hosts Anita
'Pro-Tools' Johnson who is a skilled and gifted rap artists in her own
right and Weyland '7 Generations' Southon who was a former Hip Hop
Magazine editor. They put in much work on the producing end of a new
album called "175 Progress Drive". Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio is
the executive producer. The title is taken from the new address to
the supermax prison where Mumia now resides. Here Mumia is in
relative isolation. He gets to come out for one hour every 5 days and
sits in a room that is all but barren. All his possessions are inside
a shoebox and he has only the tip of a pen to do his writing. He must
put his words down on scraps of paper.
The album "175 Progress Drive" is a masterpiece that includes, rare
interviews done by Mumia over the years, including one he did with
former president Jimmy Carter, Bob Marley, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.
There are new essays Mumia has penned that talk are being read by Ruby
Dee, Michael Franti and Peter Coyote. There are also statements by
Asata Shakur, Rubin Hurricane Carter and spoken word artists Marc
Bamuthi who will also perform at the Hip Hop Rebellion Rally. There
are also songs about Mumia by artists like I Was Born With two
Tongues, Chuck D, Pharoahe Monch, dead prez, Seeds of Wisdom and Zach
De La Rocha. The album is being put out on Jello Biafra's label,
Alternative Tentacles Records.. The album should bring some much more
needed attention to the plight of Mumia Abu Jamal. This Saturday's
concert should be off the hook and historic. For folks who reside in
the Golden State, whether your in LA or the Bay there's definitely a
way for you to get involved in some Hip Hop activism..
KRS-One stated that Hip Hop Appreciation Week starts on Monday May
14th.. and that this years theme is 'charity'- in which we are called
upon to share our wisdom, talents and insights.. Well let the record
show artists from Cali are stepping up and kicking Hip Hop
Appreciation Week two days early!. For more info on the Hip Hop
Rebellion Mumia Rally call 415-695-7745
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue May 08 2001 - 22:24:43 EDT