Document - USA: Press briefing - A life in the balance - the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal
News Service 029/00
AI INDEX: AMR 51/26/00
11 February 2000
Press Briefing
USA
A Life in the Balance -- The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal
A new Amnesty International report
Amnesty International will be holding a press briefing to launch a new report on the case of journalist and death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal, one of the most high profile death penalty cases both in the USA and internationally.
The report conducts a full analysis of Mumia Abu-Jamal's trial -- including the background of racial tension prevailing in the city of Philadelphia at the time -- and the possible political influences that may have, to date, prevented him from receiving an impartial and fair hearing for his legal appeals.
Mumia Abu-Jamal's legal appeals are now before the federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The federal courts are his last opportunity to have many of the troubling issues in his case addressed and corrected. The life of this former journalist hangs in the balance.
Amnesty International USA Executive Director, William F. Schulz, and Piers Bannister, author of the report, will be joined at the press briefing by Ron Hampton, Executive Director of the National Black Police Association, and Bianca Jagger.
DETAILS
Speakers William F. Schulz, AIUSA Executive Director
Piers Bannister, Researcher on the Death Penalty and author of the report
Ron Hampton, Executive Director of the National Black Police Association
Bianca Jagger, human rights activist
Time 11:00 am, Thursday 17th February
Place Amnesty International USA, Conference room,
322 Eighth Ave, 10th Floor, New York City
Contacts In New York City: Eliane Drakopoulos on 212 633 4279
In London: Soraya Bermejo on 0171 413 5562
ENDS.../
******************************************************************************
For more information or to request a copy of the report, you can also call Amnesty International's press office in London on +44 171 413 5566. Out office hours: +44 (0) 378 472 116 Website: http://www.amnesty.org