On his 72nd birthday, Philadelphia marches to free Mumia Abu-Jamal
source: Struggle La Lucha
published: 28 April 2026
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April 25 — Cold rain didn’t stop people today from marching in Philadelphia to free Mumia Abu-Jamal. The day before was the revolutionary writer’s 72nd birthday, which, like his previous 44 birthdays, was spent in a prison cell.
The political prisoner was framed for allegedly killing Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981 and sentenced to death by Judge Albert Sabo. This bigot in robes declared in the presence of a court reporter, “I’m going to help them fry the [n-word].”
Mumia’s real crime was as a 15-year-old helping to form the Philadelphia chapter of the Black Panther Party. He later challenged the city’s fascist mayor, Frank Rizzo, who urged his supporters to “vote white,” and threatened Mumia at a news conference.
It was only the power of the people, through demonstrations and rallies around the world, that kept Mumia Abu-Jamal from being executed. Although Mumia is no longer on death row, prison authorities are still trying to kill him by refusing adequate medical care.
People gathered in Malcolm X Park and marched north on 52nd Street through the heart of West Philly’s Black community. Saturday’s march concluded Mumia Week, which included a series of events around Philadelphia. Mumia Week was endorsed by many groups, including the MOVE organization and Mobilization 4 Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The day before — on April 24, Mumia’s birthday — people rallied at District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office to demand Mumia’s freedom. This so-called liberal DA refuses to support a new trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal despite boxes of hidden evidence having been found.















