DEATH SENTENCE ON MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

Motion Text

That this House condemns the action of the Governor of Pennsylvania who on 2nd June signed a death warrant for black American journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal and set a date of 17th August for Jamal's execution by lethal injection; observes the apparently vindictive timing of the warrant, as Governor Ridge is aware that Jamal's attorneys were set to file, on 5th June, a petition seeking a new trial; notes that there is widespread belief that Jamal was framed for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia policeman and that he was sentenced to death for his political views and history as a member of the Black Panther Party; believes that the death penalty is cruel and barbaric and should be abolished; and calls on the Governor to reverse his decision and the court to grant Jamal a new trial.