Described as "the most visible of the 3,000 people awaiting execution on America's death rows" by the New York Times in 1995, Mumia Abu-Jamal was born Wesley Cook in Philadelphia in 1954. As a teenager, Abu-Jamal became involved with the Black Panther Party, and he later became a radio reporter. In 1981, he was arrested on charges alleging he'd murdered Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner, and he was convicted and sentenced to death in 1982. Nearly 30 years and numerous appeals later, a federal court overturned Abu-Jamal's death sentence; he is now serving a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. Abu-Jamal's case is highly contested to this day, and conflicting accounts and pieces of evidence have convinced many that he is innocent.
This collection contains ephemera related to mass efforts to free Mumia Abu-Jamal from incarceration, including posters, brochures, postcards, buttons, reports, and some letters. Items in the collection were created in the late 1990s and the early 2000s by various organizations, artists and activists, typically as part of an event such as a fundraiser, concert, protest or art opening.
Part of the Maximum Security Democracy Series
Part of the Maximum Security Democracy Series
Part of the Maximum Security Democracy Series
"Stoppt Die Hinrichtung von Mumia Abu-Jamal!..Bundesweite Demonstration" German poster, 2000 May 2
"Stoppt Die Hinrichtung von Mumia Abu-Jamal!..Bundesweite Demonstration" German poster, 2000 May 2
"Too Soon For Sorry" created by D. Thorne and published by Resilient Strains, undated
"Too Soon For Sorry" created by D. Thorne and published by Resilient Strains, undated
Part of the Maximum Security Democracy Series
"The Life of Mumia Abu-Jamal" comic by Seth Tobocman, 1999
"The Life of Mumia Abu-Jamal" comic by Seth Tobocman, 1999
Removed from mounting; two pages
Concert at Wetlands, New York City
"In Support of National Day of Art for Mumia Abu-Jamal" poster created by Frank Sosa, illustrated by MEAR, 1999
"In Support of National Day of Art for Mumia Abu-Jamal" poster created by Frank Sosa, illustrated by MEAR, 1999
Frank Sosa was the producer of the CD, "Voice of the Voiceless"
"Capital Art: On the Culture of Punishment" exhibition poster, 2001 February
"Capital Art: On the Culture of Punishment" exhibition poster, 2001 February
At Track 18 Gallery, Los Angeles
"What Is the Crime? Free Mumia Abu-Jamal" poster created by baseline for Refuse& Resist!, 1995 January 28-29
"What Is the Crime? Free Mumia Abu-Jamal" poster created by baseline for Refuse& Resist!, 1995 January 28-29
Created in New York City
"Stop The Legal Lynching of Mumia Abu-Jamal" poster, 1995 January 28-29
"Stop The Legal Lynching of Mumia Abu-Jamal" poster, 1995 January 28-29
"They Kill Writers" poster by Lucio Pozzi for Refuse & Resist!, 1999
"They Kill Writers" poster by Lucio Pozzi for Refuse & Resist!, 1999
Mumia 911 stencilled poster, circa 1999
Mumia 911 stencilled poster, circa 1999
Spray-painted.
Announces an event in North Berkeley, California at which supporters including Adrienne Rich, Piri Thomas, Judi Bari, Diane Di Prima, Larry Bnesky and others read from Mumia Abu-Jamal's works. Poster includes quotation by Alice Walker. The event was sponsored by Equal Justice USA/Quixote Center and KPFA Radio.
Concert located in Los Angeles
Postcard is an advertisement for "Artists for Mumia", 14 exhibitions at galleries in New York City for Mumia 911.
Regarding Mumia's right to dismiss his legal team
Includes photocopy of main page and small clipping attached with tape
Concert located in Los Angeles
Summarizing the past year's work including concert for Mumia
Includes envelope. Signed by Peter Seeger
Brochure for 5 poster set. Project of Artists Network of Refuse & Resist!
Conference took place from April 26-28, 1996 at the City College of New York.
Reprint from Revolutionary Worker
"Tune in to: From Death Row: This is Mumia Abu-Jamal" sticker advertising radio show on National Public Radio and Pacifica National News, 1994
"Tune in to: From Death Row: This is Mumia Abu-Jamal" sticker advertising radio show on National Public Radio and Pacifica National News, 1994
Issues prior to 2000 printed on newsprint
Discusses abortion rights.
Sponsored by No Business as Usual and NYU World War 3 Theatre Group. The event featured Kurt Vonnegut, William Kunstler, Emile De Antonio, Sonia Sanchez, and Vietnam veterans. Includes event schedule and brief speaker biographies.
"Mumia, Hep C, and the Nation's Health Crisis" color postcard, 2016 April 22
"Mumia, Hep C, and the Nation's Health Crisis" color postcard, 2016 April 22
"Fact Sheet – Mumia Abu-Jamal Health" flier, 2016 January
"Fact Sheet – Mumia Abu-Jamal Health" flier, 2016 January
"March to Demand Treatment with the Known Hepatitis C Cure," flier, 2016 April 22
"March to Demand Treatment with the Known Hepatitis C Cure," flier, 2016 April 22
"Mumia Abu-Jamal Needs Medical Care Now!" flier from Libérons Mumia!
"Mumia Abu-Jamal Needs Medical Care Now!" flier from Libérons Mumia!
Describes performances by Vijay Iyer, Odetta, Steve Earl, Peter Gerety
Adhesive has been removed.
Adhesive removed.
Stickers with backing
On backing.
Includes brief description of Refuse & Resist's Mumia Working Group
Includes initial schedule of international Mumia 911 events, transcript of a speach made by Alice Walker, an open letter from Mumia 911 and artists, and a list of signators.
This flyer includes a description of Mumia Abu-Jamal's history and also mentions the 1985 MOVE bombing.
Awardees: Abner Louima; Iris Baez; Art Spiegelman; David Remnick; Emily Lyons; Dr. Wayne Goldner; Rev. Gregory Dell; Jose Palacios; students, faculty and President Jane L. Jervis of Evergreen (WA) State College; Oakland, CA teachers and students; Northwestern University Professor David Protess and his journalism students; Minnehaha Free State; Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO); Ohio State Town Hall meeting disrupters; and poet Adrienne Rich.
New York City event featuring Ossie Davis, E L. Doctorow, Pete Seeger, Leonard Weinglass. Held by the People's Campaign project of the Peoples Rights Fund in preparation for the Millions for Mumia March.
Inking by Seth Tobocman, John Kim, and Barbara Lee. Reprinted by Agit Press from comic strip originally in World War 3 Illustrated #18.
Fact sheets number 1-18.
The event took place from April 26-28, 1996 at the City College of New York and featured Ramona Africa, Clark Kissinger, Ron Kuby, Merle Hoffman, Reg E. Gaines, Eric Drooker, and Carl Pope.
The event took place from April 26-28, 1996 at the City College of New York. Includes elastic necklace.
"Free Mumia" red button
"Free Mumia" red button
"Free Mumia" orange button with Mumia photograph by Refuse & Resist!
"Free Mumia" orange button with Mumia photograph by Refuse & Resist!
"Free Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners" yellow button with Mumia Abu-Jamal illustration
"Free Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners" yellow button with Mumia Abu-Jamal illustration
"Mumia 911" button, ca. 1999
"Mumia 911" button, ca. 1999
"Freedom Futures" poster by Afroplump, 2023
"Freedom Futures" poster by Afroplump, 2023
"With my freedom..." poster by Elizabeth Blancas, 2023
"With my freedom..." poster by Elizabeth Blancas, 2023
"Our Mothers Don't Deserve To Be Locked Away" poster by Caitlin Blunnie, 2023
"Our Mothers Don't Deserve To Be Locked Away" poster by Caitlin Blunnie, 2023
"If you took the biases and blinders..." poster by Noa Denmon, 2023
"If you took the biases and blinders..." poster by Noa Denmon, 2023
"Nurture and Care For The World" poster by Juana Estrada, 2023
"Nurture and Care For The World" poster by Juana Estrada, 2023
"I am Free and I Can Be Free For Someone Else" poster by Singha Hon, 2023
"I am Free and I Can Be Free For Someone Else" poster by Singha Hon, 2023
"Change the System" poster by Shyama Kuver, 2023
"Change the System" poster by Shyama Kuver, 2023
"Freedom is a Revolution" poster by Camila Rosa, 2023
"Freedom is a Revolution" poster by Camila Rosa, 2023
"I Am A Woman, A Mother, A Daughter, A Sister" poster by Meredith Stern, 2023
"I Am A Woman, A Mother, A Daughter, A Sister" poster by Meredith Stern, 2023
This collection contains materials related to mass efforts to free Mumia Abu-Jamal from incarceration, including posters, brochures, postcards, buttons, reports, and some letters. Items in the collection were created beginning in the late 1990s by various organizations, artists and activists, typically as part of an event such as a fundraiser, concert, protest or art opening.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Revolution Books collection about the Free Mumia Movement, Ms.2023.004, Brown University Library.
Organized in one series.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Purchased by the John Hay Library in 2023.
This collection was formerly named the Revolution Books Collection about the Free Mumia Movement and was renamed to fit the new scope of the collection.
In 2022, the John Hay Library at Brown University announced that it had acquired the
See also the