Mar 15 min read

The Silent War: The Critical Need to Support Political Prisoners

Updated: Mar 2

The testimonies of those who have spent decades behind bars are a testament to the ongoing warfare we fight as citizens of the world. We the people must not be silent in the face of slavery (injustice). These people include political prisoners, such as well-known personalities like Mumia Abu-Jamal, who persist in speaking out against structural injustice while spending decades behind bars. Mumia Former Black Panther Abu-Jamal is a representation of perseverance in the face of hardship. Since his 1982 conviction for the 1982 killing of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner, Abu-Jamal has represented the fight for justice by spending over 40 years behind bars despite evidence which proves his innocence. But his is only one example; we also need to pay attention to the situation of countless other political prisoners.

Members of the MOVE movement Delbert Orr Africa, Eddie Goodman Africa, Janet Holloway Africa, Janine Phillips Africa, Chuck Sims Africa, and Michael Davis Africa all suffer from the same destiny. They are currently serving terms ranging from 30 years to life due to convictions coming from the turbulent events of the 1978 Philadelphia siege. This has raised concerns about the fairness of their trials as well as the wider ramifications of a racially biased legal system. Among the many people whose stories are still hidden behind the walls of the prison system are Jalil Muntaqim, Mutulu Shakur, Russell 'Maroon' Shoatz, Sundiata Acoli, Joseph Bowen, Veronza Bowers Jr., Fred 'Muhammad' Burton, Romaine 'Chip' Fitzgerald, Ruchell 'Cinque' Magee, Ed Poindexter, Kojo Bomani Sababu, and Kamau Sadiki, who were either former Black Panthers or members of the Black Liberation Army. These individuals are not mere names on a list; they are real people who have confronted the oppressive and monstrous system that perpetuates exploitation for economic gain. Their stories embody the tangible impact of systemic injustice, offering a poignant reminder of the human toll exacted by such an tyrannical system.There is an urgent need for a thorough reexamination of their cases because of the racial bias present in their trials, the shortcomings of the legal system, and the dubious character of the evidence used against them.

We must actively engage in political advocacy to collaborate with those unjustly convicted and imprisoned for decades, recognizing that there is little that distinguishes people in the civilian world from those in cages, as both groups contend with a sense of enslavement. It is our civic responsibility to remain vigilant about the state of our world, particularly concerning prisons, given their deeply rooted history in slavery and their role in its economic perpetuation for the nation's benefit. These political prisoners have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, emerging as beacons of inspiration for others. Their narratives encapsulate a broader struggle for justice, equality, and the dismantling of oppressive structures. The racial undertones prevalent in their cases underscore the imperative to reevaluate inherent biases within the judicial system, prioritizing inclusion, understanding, and cultural competency.

It is paramount to recognize that the stories of these political prisoners symbolize a systemic issue. As we advocate for their rights, we confront the broader challenge of combating injustice. To halt the perpetuation of inequity, it is essential to address the evident lack of cultural competency in school curricula and the prevalence of racial hierarchy with discriminatory practices in society. Only through collective action and a commitment to change can we strive for a radical revolution that brings about justness.

The accounts of these political prisoners serve as a reminder that there are stories behind bars that need to be recognized, comprehended, and corrected. It's time to end the silence and give people whose opinions have led to incarceration a platform.

We are all complicit in our own enslavement within a system that is based on slavery and genocide, though some of us get more visible bars than others.

Mumia Abu-Jamal, AKA Wesley Cook, former Black Panther

Former Pennsylvania death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal, seen here in a 13 December 1995 prison photo, was convicted in 1982 of murdering a Philadelphia police officer.

Age: 64

Incarcerated since: 1981

Convicted of: Murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner

Sentence: Life without parole

Current prison: SCI Mahanoy, Pennsylvania

Delbert Orr Africa, Move organisation

Age: 79

Incarcerated since: 1963

Convicted of: Aggravated kidnapping in 1970 courthouse break-out attempt in which Judge Harold Haley was killed

Sentence: Life without parole

Current prison: California Men’s Colony, San Luis Obispo, California

This entry was amended on 2 August 2018 to correct Ruchell ‘Cinque’ Magee’s age from 65 to 79.

Ed Poindexter, former Black Panther

Age: 73

Incarcerated since: 1970

Convicted of: Murder of Omaha police officer Larry Minard

Sentence: Life

Current prison: Nebraska State Penitentiary, Lincoln, Nebraska

Kojo Bomani Sababu, AKA Grailing Brown, former Black Liberation Army member

Age: 65

Incarcerated since: 1975

Convicted of: Murder of drug dealer, attempted prison escape

Sentence: Life

Current prison: USP Canaan, Pennsylvania

Kamau Sadiki, AKA Freddie Hilton, former Black Panther

Age: 65

Incarcerated since: 2002

Convicted of: Murder in 1971 of Atlanta police officer James Green

Sentence: Life

Current prison: Augusta State Medical Prison, Georgia

MUST READ:

The Silent War: The Critical Need to Support Political Prisoners

Mumia Abu-Jamal, AKA Wesley Cook, former Black Panther

Delbert Orr Africa, Move organisation

Eddie Goodman Africa, Move organisation

Janet Holloway Africa, Move organisation

Janine Phillips Africa, Move organisation

Jalil Muntaqim, AKA Anthony Bottom, former Black Panther, Black Liberation Army member

Mutulu Shakur, associated with Black Panther party and other groups

Russell ‘Maroon’ Shoatz, former Black Panther

Sundiata Acoli, AKA Clark Squire, former Black Panther, Black Liberation Army member

Chuck Sims Africa, Move organisation

Michael Davis Africa, Move organisation

Joseph Bowen, former Black Liberation Army member

Veronza Bowers Jr, former Black Panther

Fred ‘Muhammad’ Burton, former Black Liberation Army member

Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald, former Black Panther

Ruchell ‘Cinque’ Magee

Ed Poindexter, former Black Panther

Kojo Bomani Sababu, AKA Grailing Brown, former Black Liberation Army member

Kamau Sadiki, AKA Freddie Hilton, former Black Panther

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