The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal

The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal

The killing of Officer Daniel Faulkner and the arrest of Mumia Abu-Jamal

While not a member of MOVE, Mumia Abu-Jamal (born Wesley Cook) was a Philadelphia native and member of the Black Panther Party. He was a critic of Philadelphia Police and their treatment of MOVE members, particularly following the arrests of the MOVE 9. In 1981, Abu-Jamal was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Officer Daniel Faulkner. He was found guilty and sentenced to death, but the death penalty was dropped in 2011 after numerous appeals. This event, in conjunction with Officer Ramp's killing, created an unsafe environment for police officers and made further confrontations with MOVE or their supporters politically dangerous for top city officials. Abu-Jamal's arrest and conviction united MOVE in further opposition of the police and city officials. MOVE soon advocated for his release as well as the release of the MOVE 9.

New York Times

Article was published August 17, 1995. Officer Faulkner was killed December 9, 1981.

PDF

English

Newspaper Article

Newspaper