Wednesday, December 03, 2008

"Murdered By Mumia" One Year On


This upcoming week marks the anniversary of the murder of Officer Daniel Faulkner. It also marks the one year anniversary of the release of Maureen Faulkner's book, "Murdered By Mumia". I can't say enough about this book. Whatever side of the Mumia debate you are on you are missing a large part of the story by not reading this book. For more info on it go to this website

What follows is an excerpt from "Murdered By Mumia"

Chapter 18 Hollywood and the New York Times

Abu-Jamal's celebrity supporters were not content to allow the legal process to run its course unfettered by their onerous influence. Their ranks were growing and they demanded attention. On August 9, 1995, just as the Post-Conviction Relief Act hearing was in full stride in Philadelphia's City Hall, a full-page advertisement appeared on Abu-Jamal's behalf - not in the Philadelphia Inquirer, mind you, but in the New York Times. It prominently featured the A-list of Abu-Jamal Hollywood supporters: Alec Baldwin, Mike Farrell, Spike Lee, Susan Sarandon, Oliver Stone. It was a veritable Who's Who of left-wingers and all were willing to lend their names to a man whom a jury concluded had murdered a law enforcement officer.

One month prior to the New York Times ad, on July 14, 1995, E.L. Doctorow, a longtime Abu-Jamal supporter, had penned a column of support that also ran in the New York Times. Doctorow's Op-Ed read like the Team Mumia Mission Statement. He put forth the usual hackneyed arguments discrediting Abu-Jamal's conviction and disparaging the eyewitnesses. To the well-informed, the piece was easily dismissed, but to the uninitiated I suppose it presented a rather compelling portrayal of an innocent man on death row. Doctorow ended the piece by questioning: "Will the pain of Officer Faulkner's widow, who supports Mr. Jamal's execution, be resolved if it turns out that the wrong man has been executed and her husband's killer still walks the streets?"

Doctorow's article was clearly a clever ruse to try to sway the court and manipulate public opinion. Adding salt to my wounds, at this time I had to sit and listen to the Abu-Jamal witnesses tell endless lies in the PCRA hearings and hear so-called character witnesses say what a wonderful man Abu-Jamal was - without any regard for Danny.

The Internet was taking hold about that time and also fueling my fury (at this point we still called it the "World Wide Web"). I remember a reporter once telling me Abu-Jamal was a hero in "cyberspace." I had never even heard the word, and needless to say, I had not yet taken advantage of the Internet as a resource for Danny's cause; however, the Abu-Jamal defenders wasted no time in establishing sites in several languages. As if international celebrity was not enough for the convicted cop killer, he was now also quickly becoming the downtrodden darling of cyberspace, too. . . .

And, just when I thought it could not get any worse, there came a full-page ad in the New York Times, with these words gracing the top of page A-13 on August 9, 1995: "MUMIA ABU-JAMAL MUST HAVE A NEW TRIAL."

The copy continued with an opening sentence that many such writings on Abu-Jamal have replicated. Take a look at the text of the ad:

Award winning journalist, talk show host, former Black Panther and MOVE supporter Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted in 1982 of killing a Philadelphia police officer and sentenced to death. As E.L. Doctorow details below, Abu-Jamal's trial was full of gross procedural errors and judicial misconduct. There is strong reason to believe that, as an outspoken critic of the Philadelphia police and the judicial and prison systems, Mumia Abu-Jamal has been sentenced to death because of his political beliefs. Human Rights Watch gave him one of its 1995 awards for authors under political persecution, and Amnesty International stated that the government: "appears to have overtly used Mumia Abu-Jamal's past political beliefs and affiliations . . . to impose the death penalty." Seven days after his death warrant was signed and two months before his scheduled execution, Abu-Jamal's access to family, legal counsel, and reading and writing materials was restricted in punishment for publication of his book, Live From Death Row. As Abu-Jamal, known as the "voice of the voiceless," put it, "They don't just want my death, they want my silence."

There you have it. Not one iota of factual information. The ad is awash with speculation and cites a fraudulent tome written by one of their own (Doctorow) as the factual support for its case. I concede that it might sound somewhat compelling to some, especially with the ad's reference to the Human Rights Watch Award and Amnesty International's opinion of his case. Nevertheless, I'm equally sure that none of those who then affixed their names to the above message have ever spent the time to read the five thousand pages of transcript from Abu-Jamal's 1982 trial. I think it is important that I name names. I want there to be a book record of every single person who allowed their name to be set in newsprint on behalf of the man who murdered my husband.


Thus, I hereby present you with the official wall of shame:

Adjoa A. Aiyetoro, Shana Alexander, Laurie Anderson, Maya Angelou, Paul Auster, Alec Baldwin, Russell Banks, John Perry Barlow, Richard J. Barnet, Derrick Bell, Dennis Brutus, David Byrne, Naomi Campbell, Robbie Conal, Denise Caruso, Noam Chomsky, Richard A. Cloward, Ben Cohen , Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, Ron Daniels, U.S. Rep. Ronald V. Dellums, Dominique de Menil, Jacques Derrida, David Dinkins, E. L. Doctorow , Roger Ebert, Jason Epstein, Susan Faludi, Mike Farrell, Timothy Ferris, Eileen Fisher, Henry Louis Gates, Terry Gilliam, Danny Glover, Leon Golub, Nadine Gordimer, Stephen Jay Gould, Günter Grass, Herbert Chao Gunther, Jack Healey, Edward S. Herman, Jim Hightower, James Hillman, bell hooks, Molly Ivins, Bill T. Jones, June Jordan, Mitchell Kapor, Casey Kasem, C. Clark Kissinger, Herbert Kohl, Jonathan Kozol, Tony Kushner, John Landis, Spike Lee, Edward Lewis, Maya Lin, Norman Mailer, Frederick Marx, Nion McEvoy, Bobby McFerrin, Susan Meiselas, Nancy Meyer, Pedro Meyer, Jessica Mitford, Michael Moore, Frank Moretti, James Parks Morton, Paul Newman, Peter Norton, Joyce Carol Oates, Dean Ornish, MD, Grace Paley, Alan Patricof, Martin D. Payson, Frances Fox Piven, Katha Pollit, Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, Charles B. Rangel, Adrienne Rich, Tim Robbins, David A. Ross, Salman Rushdie, Susan Sarandon, Charles C. Savitt, André Schiffrin, Peter Sellers, Nancy Spero, Art Spiegelman, Bob Stein, Gloria Steinem, Sting, Michael Stipe, Oliver Stone, Brian Stonehill, Nadine Strossen, Trudie Styler, William Styron, Edith Tiger, Edward R. Tufte, Eric Utne, Bill Viola, Alice Walker, Cornel West, Marc Weiss, John Edgar Wideman, Garry Wills, Joanne Woodward, and Peter Yarrow.

I bitterly remember and resent each and every celebrity who has proclaimed support for Abu-Jamal. When, in 1996, Bill Clinton invited Whoopi to host his fiftieth birthday party, I was appalled. I fired off a telegram to the White House saying so. I wrote: "My husband, Officer Daniel Faulkner, was killed in the line of duty. His convicted murderer is Mumia Abu-Jamal. Whoopi Goldberg is on the Committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal. Do you want someone who supports a convicted cop killer to host your 50th birthday? I know the law enforcement across this country will be appalled." I signed it: "Widow of Officer." Leon Panetta, the President's Chief of Staff, responded this way: "Let me assure you that Ms. Goldberg's participation in the President's birthday does not imply that he endorses her view on this particular matter. . . ." I am just glad that there were no memoirs read at the gala.

When a public figure chooses to support a murderer . . . it is a serious political position that threatens undue meddling in the affairs of other people's lives. Given the importance of this stance, it is therefore shocking to realize how willing people have been to overlook celebrities' support for my husband's murderer and celebrate their stardom without any consideration for their publicly proclaimed principles.

With notable exceptions, this has been the case even in Philadelphia. The most glaring manifestation of this tendency was in 2005 when Philadelphia's elite gathered at the newly minted Kimmel Center to fete Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee with the Marian Anderson Award. It was during this ceremony that Mayor John Street, the very face of Philadelphia, exalted Ossie and Ruby, proclaiming that "they exemplify the power of the artist to change the world. They were among the most vocal Americans in support of the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. They used the power of their roles as critically acclaimed artists to effect change in society in areas where change was most needed."

Shame on you, Mr. Street. Ossie and Ruby were indeed vocal Americans, I do concede.


However, short of changing the world for effecting positive change, I only remember Ossie's loud bark as he protested alongside Jesse Jackson in support of Abu-Jamal. I remember his booming assertions as he spoke on Abu-Jamal's behalf at Madison Square Garden. I will never forget Ossie Davis' public pilgrimage to visit Abu-Jamal behind bars. And I will also never forget that it was Ossie who, in 1995, after Governor Ridge signed the death warrant, issued a statement under the letterhead of "Committee to Save Mumia Abu-Jamal" in which he called the fulfillment of the jury sentence "an outrage." I have not forgotten this, Mr. Street. I never will. Why have you?

31 Comments:

At 1:07 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

as to the above article, PHILLAIMC has posted, and written by Hans Bennett of Justice for Mumia, distorted areticle and a call for support regarding a Demo on Sat. dec 6th in Phila. What is a joke is many of the misguided supporters are being bussed in from New Youk due to the VERY limited support here in Phila.

Fools led by fools
jon pisano

 
At 1:10 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

as to the above article, PHILLYIMAC has posted, and written by Hans Bennett of Justice for Mumia, distorted areticle and a call for support regarding a Demo on Sat. dec 6th in Phila. What is a joke is many of the misguided supporters are being bussed in from New Youk due to the VERY limited support here in Phila.

Fools led by fools
jon pisano

correction...PHILLYIMC


jon pisano

 
At 4:19 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

pardon my speeeelin

 
At 4:20 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Joe you must be a retired cop,right? the mumia movement is ALL over. Portland,Oregon is going strong,we are all over .

 
At 12:24 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

all over ...what...flies on horse.s...!. The name is JON and yes, I'm a retired Phila. SWAT/Stakeout Officer who attended most of the killer Mumia's trial....where were YOU

 
At 1:16 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

It look likes all your Mumia Movements haven't accomplish much. The affirmed cop killer is still on death row and will rot in prison until he dies.

 
At 11:48 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

fatass jon. im in portland oregon douche bag. you cops aint shit. you bunch of racist bitches..

shaun carnahan is my name and youll be seeing more of my name in due time fatass

 
At 4:40 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello Shaun. If you didn't know, Daniel faulkner, the Phila.Police Officer murdered by Mumia Abu jamal , was also of Irish decent. I'm sure he would be proud of your support for his proven and affirmed killer. Also, your language reflects something about your character. For the TRUE facts, DanielFaulkner.com

peace
jon pisano
johnnypeppers@hotmail.com

 
At 4:56 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Daniel Faulkner was also Irish decent and executed by Mumia Abu Jamal. I'm sure he would respect you for supporting his murderer. Also, your language says volumes as to your character. I also knew, from your post, you were in Portland Or. and I believe you do not have a clue as to this case.
For the TRUE facts, DanielFaulkner.com

 
At 8:16 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I dont know why your bringing up irish to me. Faulkner wasn't my dad he didn't put food on the table. You and the FOP etc.. are a bunch of jokes. learn the truth and quit being one of tony's bitches

 
At 6:24 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, if the above poster is Mr.Carnahan, my post was directed to you. Also to the above poster, we know the TRUTH and the AFFIRMED FACTS unlike clueless Mumia supporters. As far as Mr.Allens site, it is a refreshing view dispelling the MOVE/Mumia propaganda with facts. "The power of truth is final"...now who said that?

jon pisano
Justice for Daniel Faulkner

 
At 12:28 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

it's funny how all the people on this site or cops and followers of the world wide cult of tony allen. You guys really need to find something else more productive to do with your time. We are everywhere and wont stop!

 
At 3:32 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

First..post your name, and, we are productive in seeking JUSTICE for convicted and affirmed murderers the likes of Mumia Abu Jamal who murdered innocent people as Daniel Faulkner and to those involved in the execution of John Gilbride...footsteps..it's getting closer.

jon pisano

 
At 6:08 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah footsteps to your home !!! shaun carnahan here again and philly being a racist city explains all you ! what about the cops and people involved killing Kenneth Foster on his wedding day or the feds who were shooting at MOVE people as they were running out of a home that was firebombed by there very own city. C4. Explain That Pisano

 
At 8:14 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hmmm throw enough and hope it distracts from the posted article. The conversation is about a convicted and affirmed murderer Mumia Abu Jamal. Stick with that and after you, if you can, give an unbiased factual rebuttel, then I will comment as to your other comments.

jon pisano

 
At 9:06 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

See, you have no way to explain how the city thought it was alright, and how you want to but not to my face how it was racist and wrong for them to do that. Joe, you still live in NY?

 
At 10:23 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Shaun, it appears you have me confused with someone named Joe . My name is Jon and I was born and raised in Phila. I attended most of the Mumia trial when I was not at trial myself. It also appears to me you don't have a clue as to the overwhelming evidence presented at trial before a Jury that Mumia himself helped seat. Did you read the book "Murdered by Mumia? You should for it is a FACTUAL printing of what transpired that cold night in December. Also the site Daniel Faulkner.com has factual info and a site map or the murder scene.

jon pisano

 
At 9:19 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

First off Jon, i read that bs book by Maureen. She talks about being confronted by Ramona Africa. Well, if you must know ramona never went up to her while at the trial and no MOVE person threatened her. Maureen is a lost cause. I feel bad for all you FOP Philly Cop allumni.

 
At 6:13 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wrong Shaun,a confrontation did happen outside the Court room. There were a group of the murderers supporters gathered outside and in the hall outside the Courtroom

jon pisano

 
At 11:14 AM , Blogger Tony Allen said...

Shaun is incorrect on several points.

In her book, Faulkner never contends that she was confronted by Ramona Africa at Jamal's trial or any other.

She did allege being harrased by MOVE members at Jamal's trial. This kind of harrasment or as MOVE calls it "putting information" on someone is quite typical of MOVE and they have bragged about verbally accosting Judges, lawyers, their enemies in general on numerous occasions.

I would suggest, Shaun that you do more research and maybe find some new heroes

 
At 1:54 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are correct Mr.Allen. You Shaun will note I posted there were confrontations. One of the MOVER's spit on Mrs. Faulkner using vile discusting language that any man, even you, would retaliate. Nice people you align yourself with

jon pisano

 
At 5:47 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thats all bs. look how you all stick up for tony. do you all know tonys wife cheated on him with a 15 year old boy. all you guys really have nothing els ebette rto do. when people list the facts,no matter what the facts are. you come up with some bull shit lie. you make me laugh. I hope i see you all one day to laugh in your face

 
At 5:27 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well slick, list the "FACTS" regarding the Faulkner murder but please , no propaganda, just the proven affirmed facts. As to Mr.Allens personal life, your comment is out of context regarding his post and a weak distraction...meaning...it's none or your business.

jon pisano

 
At 1:27 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

wow, you must be his little bitch. he cant event speak for him self. i have stated the actual facts. you are all drones.

 
At 1:41 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Shaun, you have stated NO FACTS as to Mumia, the convicted proven affirmed murderer of another human being. All you are trying to do is distract from the REAL postings on this blog. Try again...but stick with the subject which is Mumia murdering Officer Faulkner

jon pisano

 
At 3:37 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can't you all just MOVE on. No pun intended) Hey who shot John Gilbride? Everybody with a brain knows MOVE did it. So which MOVE member (s) /supporter(s) did the job?

 
At 3:38 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maybe Shaun can answer that...right Shaun

jon pisano

 
At 9:52 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah,it was your racist cops and all you worthless fucks at the fop

 
At 8:43 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Right...great amswer. Shows your lack of...well...everything.

jon pisano

 
At 5:47 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

shaun carnahan...where did all this hate come from? Sounds more like you have an issue with Portland Oregon Police, but it is hard to tell with all of your 'well-thought-out' comments.

But I have a question. Have you EVER seen a person who needed an Officer {for whatever reason} not be VERY thankful when they arrive? One can only hope that you wont ever need one, your 'pride' will prevent you from calling out for assistance.

Lon Horiuchi-types are the very rare exceptions to the norm.

But back to MOVE, seems that nobody remembers that Philly tried & tried again, many times during the weeks prior to the confrontation to get things resolved in a civil manner. Little things like 'bag your garbage', 'turn down the volume', 'stop accosting your neighbors', and the classic ' please stop 5h1tt1n9 in the backyard'. You know, Health & Civil concerns, but MOVE kept up the belligerent attitude, and brought the results upon thier own selves. -C.L.P.

 
At 5:56 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

And as I recall the day my parents moved from Philly, I was in the street shouting to all who could hear " Ha-HA!! My tax-money wont go to ramona's pockets!! ". Seems her winning that civil suit was 'dads' last straw.

Then last week I found the "Fry Mumia" group on 'facebook' { http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1441269034#/group.php?gid=2353175158 } and was simply amazed that this wretch of a parasite was still 'feeding' off of society, after all this time.

Wouldn't ever happen in a 'conservative' state like Texas, but it IS to be expected in a 'democrat/socialist/liberal' bastion like Philly.

 

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