News Headlines - April 20, 2021 - 5 Min

Today on Sojourner Truth, we focus on Mumia Abu Jamal. On Monday, April 19, unjustly imprisoned Black journalist and human rights campaigner Mumia Abu Jamal underwent serious heart surgery. A few days prior, Mumia was rushed to the hospital following severe chest pains he was experiencing. A day earlier, Mumia's lawyer informed his close supporters that he complained of chest pain while on a walk. From there, he was taken to an undisclosed hospital where it was discovered that his coronary articles were blocked. Mumia already suffered from several pre-existing health conditions. Back in March of this year, he reportedly lost 30 pounds after becoming ill with COVID-19 in the Mahanoy State Correctional Institution. Mumia has also previously been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, diabetes and liver cirrhosis. During his hospitalization last month, Mumia was reportedly shackled to the bed for four days and had wounds all over his body from the shackles that dug into his skin. On Saturday, April 24, Mumia will turn 67 years old. Three days of action demanding the release of Mumia will take place from Friday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25. The days of action had already been planned to mark Mumia's birthday before news of his heart surgery. Starting at the age of 14 in 1968, Abu-Jamal became involved with the Black Panther Party and was a member until October 1970. During that time, he was named Minister of Information for the Black Panther Party. After he finished high school, he later served as president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. Mumia Abu Jamal was also active in supporting the MOVE Organization in Philadelphia, which was being harassed and violently attacked by police. While working as a part-time reporter at WDAS in Philly, Mumia worked two nights a week as a taxicab driver to supplement his income. On December 9, 1981, Police Department officer Daniel Faulkner conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle belonging to and driven by William, Mumia's younger brother. Mumia's brother was attacked and harassed by Faulker, who was shot by an unidentified person. Although evidence has come forward about who the killer might be. Mumia was also shot in the incident and he was beat pretty severely by several officers before he was taken to the hospital. Our guests are Pam Africa and Linn Washington Jr. Pam Africa is the head of International Concerned Friends and Family of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Philadelphia-based organization at the center of the international movement seeking Abu-Jamal's release. Linn Washington Jr. is an award-winning journalist who has covered the Abu-Jamal case since December 1981.