Youth have lost hope in US: Mumia

April 25th, 2012

FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda

He made the remarks during a special program hosted by Amy Goodman on her radio and television show Democracy Now! that was aired on Abu-Jamal’s 58th birthday on Tuesday. The text of the show was published on Wednesday on Democracy Now!’s website.

“As for the Occupy movement, I think it’s one of the greatest advances in the democracy movement in our modern period. And it’s pushed because of the economic crisis,” said Abu-Jamal, who spoke from a prison in Pennsylvania.

In December 1981, Abu-Jamal was arrested in Philadelphia and charged with murdering a police officer. In 1982, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death.

Abu-Jamal, who was formerly a radio announcer and the president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, maintains that he is innocent and has submitted numerous appeal requests based on allegations of judicial bias, police brutality, and an inadequate defense during his arrest and trial 30 years ago.

He added, “It [the Occupy movement] is pushed because of the economic crisis that’s facing the United States and especially young people who have come out of college and have no hope for a job, have no hope for a future, have no hope for a life without terrifying, crippling loans over their heads.”

“I think they did something wonderful, but it’s a first step. They have something else to do, something more important to do, and that’s to connect with other people’s movements around the country and build a kind of resistance that can transform this country.”

The Occupy Wall Street movement emerged after a group of demonstrators gathered in New York’s financial district on September 17, 2011 to protest against the excessive influence of big corporations on US policies as well as corruption and the unjust distribution of wealth.

Abu-Jamal also commented on the murder of black teenager Trayvon Martin, saying, “As for Trayvon… in my real view is that, in a matter of weeks or months… we may see an immunity hearing that will wipe out the charges completely, and Mr. [George) Zimmerman will never see the inside of a prison.”

GJH/AS/HN