PHILADELPHIA–As the COVID 19 virus continued to ravage America over 100 participants making up a global audience joined a unique virtual press conference. They were listening to speakers who passionately spoke on why journalist and political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal should be immediately released from prison.

Mr. Jamal was arrested in December 1981 and later convicted in the shooting death of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. For decades Mr. Abu-Jamal and his supporters have maintained he is innocent.

Pam Africa of International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal opened the conversation held April 23 by thanking those who have supported Mumia for four decades.

“John Africa taught us the power is with the people,” she said. “This has been a long battle, but it has been an invigorating battle. Mumia is innocent, and we need you to help continue this work.”

Information was shared outlining Mr. Abu-Jamal’s vulnerability and the urgency in having him released. False stories began circulating that the former Black Panther had contracted coronavirus. Santiago Alvarez, a UC Santa Cruz student, reported an incident in mid-April where he says he was told by corrections officers that Mr. Abu-Jamal was taken to the hospital for Covid-19. “It was a sick and wicked thing to do. It is a reminder of the urgency of how vulnerable Mumia is and how we need to get Mumia out of prison immediately,” he said.

Philadelphia journalist and Temple University Professor Linn Washington is considered an expert on the Mumia Abu-Jamal case. Mr. Washington cited the double standards that have been used in the judicial system against Mr. Abu-Jamal and pointed out the corruption in the appellate court system going as high as the U.S. Supreme Court. He referenced the lack of judicial ethics demonstrated in the case where justice is never mentioned. “Mumia has never received justice from the Pennsylvania Supreme court or the federal court,” he said while calling for continued support.

Janine Africa then spoke on the movement that brought her and six other members of the MOVE 9 home after four decades in prison. “What they are trying to do since they couldn’t kill him on the streets of Philadelphia, since they couldn’t execute him with the legal death sentence, they are now trying to keep him in jail until he dies. Never give up! We were told for over 40 years that we (the MOVE 9) would never get out. But we sit here today as proof of the power of the people,” she added.

Michael Schiffman, an investigative writer and author joined in the virtual press conference from Germany. He described how photos taken by photographer Peter Polakoff at the 1981 crime scene prove that prosecution witnesses lied about significant aspects of the case against Mumia Abu-Jamal. He pointed out considerable inconsistencies, sighting the lack of bullet marks on the ground where Mr. Abu-Jamal attempted to shoot the police officer and missed as well as the police mishandling of the weapon used in the crime.

Other international presenters included Mireille Fanon Mendes from Paris, France who congratulated Mumia on his 66th birthday. She also noted that in capitalist countries, those most affected by Covid-19 are poor people, migrants and incarcerated people. She ended her talk, hoping, “Next year, we want to celebrate your birthday with you, freed from the colonial yolk of prison.”

Sharon Cabusao-Silva, from the Organization of Families of Political Prisoners in the Philippines and longtime member of Gabriela Women’s Alliance, Philippines and herself a former political prisoner, called into the livestream press conference saying: “We need to prioritize the release of political prisoners, especially the sick, elderly and pregnant women…We have a common struggle–here in the Philippines and with our friends there in the U.S. to have our political prisoners freed at this time of the epidemic.”

Gregory Muhammad, a student minister in the Nation of Islam’s prison reform ministry shared the story of a chance encounter with Mr. Abu-Jamal while he was in solitary confinement unit (B Block) at SCI Huntington in 1982. Mr. Muhammad then discussed Point Number 5 of the Muslim Program, “What the Muslims Want,” which calls for the release of Black men and women incarcerated in America. “Minister Louis Farrakhan has supported Mumia from day one,” he pointed out.

Blak Rapp Madusa, an international hip hop artist from Pittsburgh, described working to bail out 97 mothers and caregivers a few days earlier, trying to free vulnerable populations including elders, mothers, and caregivers from the dangers of Covid-19. He worked in alliance with the National Bailout movement. “There is no refuge in a cage,” she pointed out. Their efforts include working to provide resources–access to shelter, food, clothing, and testing for Covid-19, after they’re released.

Razakhan Shaheed, from Nation Time, spoke about supporting jailhouse lawyers or paralegals like Mumia Abu-Jamal inside the prisons, who work to get each other out.

Charles Barron, a New York State Assemblyman, gave a first-hand account of his battle with Covid-19. He concluded the program in fireball fashion calling for revolution. “The real problem is not just that we have bad diets and need to eat better, or that we need to exercise more–we have to fight with every breath, we have to dismantle and destroy this predatory capitalist system!” he pointed out.

Calling the viral epidemic, a “colonial virus,” he stated, “Revolution is the ultimate and only solution.”

The event was organized and hosted by Bronx New York social activist Sophia Williams. A question and answer period followed the press conference. There were questions regarding Mumia Abu-Jamal’s current legal situation. His appeals process has ground to a halt following a Kings Bench Order filed by the police officers’ widow who has no standing in the case. Mr. Washington pointed out it was a subversive and corrupt move where the district attorney’s credibility is being called into question. “There is no telling when this will be resolved,” he said.

The other issue discussed was the importance of not looking for support from mainstream media. The utilization of alternative media was the advice given. “No matter how hard it seems, the power of righteousness will never betray you,” Janine Africa concluded. To view the press conference, go to YouTube and search “Mumia Abu Jamal press conference April 23, 2020.”

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“The MOVE Organization is a family of strong, serious, deeply committed revolutionaries founded by a wise perceptive, strategically minded Black man named JOHN AFRICA. The principle of our belief is explained in a collection of writings we call ‘The Guidelines,’ authored by JOHN AFRICA. To honor our beloved Founder and acknowledge the wisdom and strength He has given us, we say ‘LONG LIVE JOHN AFRICA!’ ”

(Read more at  http://onamove.com/, website of the MOVE organization.)

This writer remembers living on 416 N. Preston Street, in West Philadelphia not far from the MOVE compound, located in the Powelton Village neighborhood of West Philadelphia about four or five blocks away from my family’s home. In 1976 to 1978, this writer was a victim of the “street life and landed in prison May 1978.” I was able to view the blockade set-up against MOVE, before going to prison.

I met the five MOVE men at Holmesburg Prison initially around September/October 1978 before being convicted and sentenced November 1979. In December 1979, I was transferred from Holmesburg Prison (Philadelphia County) to State Correctional Institution Graterford, Pennsylvania, for classification and January 1980, I was transferred from SCI-Graterford to SCI-Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

In February 1980, I was sent back down to Holmesburg Prison to meet with my appellate attorney. It was then that I received official information that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan started rebuilding the Nation of Islam from its destruction in 1975. When I found out that Minister Farrakhan started rebuilding the Nation of Islam, I immediately joined on with the men the Nation of Islam at Holmesburg. We started the process of reestablishing “Muhammad’s Prison Program,” as it was called during that time, by submitting proposals to the Prison Warden appealing for the “Right to Worship.” We had no meeting place, so we met in the prison yard. Brother Delbert Africa knew of our plight to get a meeting place and offered to share office space that the prison staff gave to MOVE for their meeting place. This office space was originally “prison cells” converted into office space.

The men of the Nation of Islam also received donated audio tapes of Minister Farrakhan from Brother Jehron Muhammad aka (Jehron 4X Hunter) out of Mosque No. 12 in Philadelphia. However, we didn’t have a cassette player to play our audios. Well, Brother Delbert Africa let us use MOVE’s boom box cassette player. The Nation of Islam and MOVE have been united for decades with a rich his-Prison Reform Ministry welcomes Delbert Africa home by Gregory Muhammad tory of struggle inside of the “Belly of the Beast.”

Brother Delbert Africa is now free! He was released on January 18, 2020. He was freed from SCI-Dallas, Pennsylvania. “Brad Thomson, a member of Delbert Africa’s legal team, said the decision to release him on parole affirms what the movement to free the MOVE 9 has been arguing for decades: that their continued incarceration is unjust,” The UK-based Guardian newspaper reported January 18. Mr. Thomson continued by saying, “With the release of Delbert, that leaves Charles ‘Chuck’ Africa as the last member of the MOVE 9 to still be in prison. Chuck went before the parole board last month and we are optimistic that he will be released in the very near future.”

When this writer thinks of Rodney King, who was violently beaten by LAPD officers back on March 3, 1991 for allegedly “fleeing and evading” on California State Route 210, I reflect on the unjust violent beating of Delbert Africa back in 1978, who didn’t commit any crime.

Brother Delbert Africa had this to say during a January 21, 2020 interview: “A cop beat me with his helmet. Smashed my eye. Another cop swung his shotgun and broke my jaw. I went down, and after that I don’t remember anything till I came to and a dude was dragging me by my hair and cops started kicking me in the head. Their excuse later on is they thought I was armed. I was naked from the waist up.” So, this writer recognized that the one of the first Black man beaten on national television since the ‘60s and earlier wasn’t Rodney King, it was no doubt Brother Delbert Africa.

Brother Delbert Africa stated in the interview: “I want to keep on pushing the whole front of fighting this unjust system. I want to keep on pushing it and do as much as I can in my time here as dictated by the teachings of John Africa. Keep on working, stay on the move.” He continued, “I’ve been made stronger by the incarceration because of that God force that sustained me throughout the years and made me stronger in my beliefs and understanding that this system is wrong, unjust and racist. And the way to change it is not only to point the finger at you or anybody else, but to point the finger at myself.”

He talked about what he experienced at the “Round House,” which is the Philadelphia police headquarters located at 8th and Race Street. He stated: “The cops said, ‘is this the one, is this the one, got James, got James.’ I said, ‘who the hell is James?’ And they, talking about, somebody got James Ramp, the cop. “I don’t know who no James Ramp, leave me the hell alone. And, they threw me in a cell away from Eddie and Phil and them. I was over in a cell by myself. About an hour later, they came stripped me down, took all my clothes and gave me a gunshot residue test and then took me over and put me in with Phil and I believe Mike. Later, on, we just got arraigned and then we got sent up the road, that was August 8th. It wasn’t until later when we found out how horrible they had treated the women on the way, they pulled the wagon over and threatened to kill them; all in the name that we were supposedly killed James Ramp.”

“I don’t got no remorse, well, mainly, I know no MOVE people had anything to do with his shooting and the other thing is, he didn’t even have to be there. The man wasn’t on duty. James Ramp wasn’t on duty. They said, he came out to assure the safety of his people he trained; but he didn’t have to be there. He came out because he had a chance to kill some Black folk and that’s how that go,” he said.

It is clear MOVE did not kill James Ramp. They wanted the public to believe that MOVE shot a cop. He was shot from behind. None of the MOVE members had gunshot residue on them.

Brother Walter Palmer, who is a University of Pennsylvania history professor, talked about being a chief negotiator for MOVE. He made the following amazing statement: “This crime was not the crime of MOVE. It was a crime of the state. For 40 years, these people spent their life in jail for a crime they did not commit.”

Free Chuck Africa! Free Mumia Abu-Jamal! Free all political prisoners now!

The Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry Delaware Valley Region continues to support Sister Pam Africa and the MOVE family at rallies and community information events. We remain united!

(Gregory Muhammad is Student Regional Prison Reform Minister for the NOI Prison Reform Ministry Delaware Valley Region.)

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The Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry within the Pennsylvania prison system has its beginning in early 1980 at the notorious Philadelphia Holmesburg Prison. This beginning is in accordance with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s rebuilding of the Nation of Islam. It is a lot of history with the reestablishment of Muhammad’s Prison Program as it was known in the 1980s.

In this article we want to recognize one of our inmate Study Group Coordinators, Brother Calvin X Floyd. He is currently incarcerated at SCI-Phoenix, in Pennsylvania.

Brother Calvin X shares his thoughts on how he met this writer: “I first met you in 1980 at Holmsburg Prison, when I was first held after being accused of first-degree murder. You remained somewhat obscure from the population because you were busy in the work of helping Minister Farrakhan in the early years of rebuilding the works of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. I was running around the prison with a small ragtag group of young brothers reminding men of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, using all the ideas I’d learned from the men who left after the Honorable Elijah Muhammad disappeared. So, for approximately two and a half years, we were in that prison together. The next time I saw you was when I was transferred from Graterford to Western prison in 1989. Your energy level was higher and you were still at work and for the four years, we went through the rigors and pains of forging a small group of Believers, which actually reminded everyone that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was still alive.”

He continued: “We pushed the limits with fezzes and white shirts, with bowties, and faithfully held services weekly. Your communication with Minister Farrakhan made certain people envious of you, however, that factual communication was the spark of life throughout the population there at Western Prison. Those who opposed us only made us stronger. And those who hated and opposed us with outstanding opposition, were happy that you left, rubbing their hands together and licking their lips in anticipation of seizing the post for their own reasons. But you left instructions, ‘Brother, don’t let them take the Mosque!’ And my response was, ‘Yes sir!’ ”

Brother Calvin X goes on to share these following thoughts: “This, 38 years has been fulfilling, for I would not have grown were it not for the unfortunate set of circumstances that clothed me in this situation. So, I am grateful to Allah for the opportunity He gave me to benefit from the seasoning of the Study Guides delivered to us through Minister Farrakhan. I have learned that the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad become real only through severe tests and difficulties. For a Believer has nothing else to rely on but what she/he has internalized of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. At this juncture, I believe things will grow more difficult, however, faith is the substance of things hoped for, and evidence of things not seen, and although hope is not a strategy, it serves as a compass point during trials.

In closing, he stated, “And the evidence of holding the course is the fulfilling of maturing in the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, both of whom in themselves are living evidence of the presence of Allah (God) Himself, in the Divine Person of The Great Mahdi, Master Fard Muhammad. All praise is due to Allah for the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan!”

Today, Brother Calvin X coordinates our Study Group at SCIPhoenix in Pennsylvania. Our Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad sent in the study material to enable the Study Group to have a proper study circle. According to reports from Brother Calvin, our brothers at SCI-Phoenix are deep into the study of the “Self-Improvement Study Guides” provided by Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad.

We commend Brother Calvin for his steadfast stand and leadership as he represents the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and his Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad to the inmate population at SCI-Phoenix.

A Big Thank You to Brother Calvin X Floyd!

(Gregory Muhammad is NOI Student Regional Prison Reform Minister for the Delaware Valley Region.)

The post A Salute to Brother Calvin X! appeared first on Final Call News.

“Forty years ago, Mike and Debbie were separated from each other. After decades of time, love and the pursuit of happiness has brought them back together.”–  Mike Africa Jr.

The MOVE organization is a family of strong, serious, deeply committed revolutionaries founded by a strategically minded Black man named John Africa. The principle of their belief is explained in a collection of writings they call “The Guidelines,” authored by John Africa. To honor their beloved founder and acknowledge the wisdom and strength he has given them, they say “Long Live John Africa!”

John Africa taught the group that life is the priority and that all life comes from one source, from God, Mom Nature, Moma. Each individual life is dependent on every other life, and all life has a purpose. MOVE was a radical movement dedicated to Black liberation and a back-to-nature life-style and all its members took on the surname Africa.

On May 13, 1985 a massive police operation was launched, and the group’s headquarters was bombed in Philadelphia. Years earlier in 1978, nine MOVE members were arrested after Philadelphia police raided the group’s home and a police officer was killed. Nine MOVE members, including Mike and Debbie Africa, were convicted of third-degree murder and were dubbed the “MOVE 9.” The couple, who have a son, Mike Africa Jr. was paroled in 2018.

The Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry, Delaware Valley Region interviewed Mike Sr. and Debbie Africa at their home. They were interviewed by Gregory Muhammad, student prison reform minister, Delaware Valley Region and Catherine Muhammad, administrative assistant for the Prison Reform Ministry, Delaware Valley Region. The following are excerpts from the interview.Brother Mike Africa (MA):  Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke very highly of John Africa and he condemn those who would condemn him. The people who were pallbearers at John Africa’s funeral were the Fruit of Islam (FOI). So, that’s how far Min. Farrakhan’s commitment goes back to our organization. How Pam has been to Saviours’ Day a few times and how Mike Jr., been there a few times. Minister Farrakhan’s pledge to all the people has been consistent. Our respect, highly respect Minister Farrakhan.

Brother Gregory Muhammad (GM): What were your thoughts of being separated from your wife and unborn son?

MA:  Being in resistance, being an activist that threat is always there. The threat that you could be separated. If not by imprisonment, then by death. It’s always there. The events that were leading up to August 8, 1978, the threats were so intense coming from officials, police. They made it clear at the time that they didn’t want us to continue to exist, and, not just the headquarters or Philadelphia, but, anywhere. But we made a commitment that we were going to speak up. One of our children had been murdered at the time and that was what the confrontation was essentially about.

All we wanted to do was bring attention to it and get some justice for it. It meant we wanted to expose those who are guilty and hold them accountable. We just wanted the situation exposed because they kept on saying that it was complaints from neighborhoods. It was everything except what it was. It was about the murdered child. They finally said, the child did not exist. We had City Councilwoman Janine Blackwell, who’s the wife of Lucian Blackwell, who was a city councilman at the time, there. She came to the house and saw the baby. The officials still didn’t do nothing about it. The confrontation was to bring exposure to them. What do you do if your nephew or niece or anybody that you loved was murdered? In our case we didn’t have to know them.

Winston Hood was murdered at that time (referring to MOVE confrontation with police and city officials), going down to demonstrations about that, at that demonstration the same thing could have happened. You know how these situations can mount and deteriorate into other situations. So, just going somewhere to speak out about something can cause separation, just as it had many times.

It just didn’t come at this level of intensity. So, we didn’t know whether we were going to make it out of there alive or not, yet alone, to separate or be in a situation where we would be separated; where we could still communicate. Where we still could resist and lend our voices to activism.

GM: What are your thoughts on the day of your illegal arrest and being pregnant?

Sister Debbie Africa (DA):  When I look back on it and review everything that happened, how it happened, step-by-step; I handled it pretty strong. Now, I didn’t say those terms to myself as I was going through it. I didn’t say, Oh, I got to be strong. I got to make sure I handle this the right way. It wasn’t like that, it was just a natural feeling. It was a natural way, I mean, I did it. I did what I had to do. I wasn’t thinking about how I’m going to handle this. I handle the way, I did, without telling them (prison guards and staff) very carefully, so, they wouldn’t find out. So, those are the things I did think about. But, as far as actually, giving birth, my main focus was to make sure I did everything I could to keep them from finding out.

As far as handling it, I almost don’t want to say “strong,” because people see “strong,” cold. A lot of people when they hear the word “strong,” they think you’re cold. It was a hard thing to go through, a hard decision to make.

Try to keep him (Mike Africa Jr.) as long as you could; and, the life that I spent, it was just tough. Like I said, it was very hard. I was emotional, I didn’t just give him away. It was a lot of emotions involved; and I didn’t want to do it.

Nobody else knew about it (birth of her son). The anxiety of guards coming in taking him from me; there were just so many other awful options. We physically made sure that they knew he was born, and we did it in front of a judge. At that point, we were having our preliminary hearings at the House of Corrections (Philadelphia County Prison). Going in front of the judge every day we just took that opportunity. My sister Janet also took a note to the judge let him know that she had the baby. This was so everybody would know.

Catherine Muhammad (CM): There is no replacing the time that has been stolen from you and your family. What advice or words of comfort would you give to a sister in your shoes on holding on and not giving up hope?

DA:  I would tell her, look at all the examples of people who had a long time (and) everything worked out for them; eventually, they did get out. I would give that person much encouragement and much hope as I could as far as staying strong no matter what.

CM:  Is there something you have always wanted to do that you are now able to do since you are free?

DA:  I’m not really sure if there’s something I would do other than being with my family, which is the natural thing to do. I am just drawing it out by taking advantage of every minute that makes me feel happy.

The Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry in the Delaware Valley Region continue to support the MOVE family on behalf of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and his Student Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad. Support the Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry by visiting page 25 of The Final Call newspaper.

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PHILADELPHIA–The Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry Delaware Valley Region was present at the “Free Meek Mill Rally,” while Meek was inside of the courthouse waiting for a decision in his case.

Why a decade-long legal battle to reach this “victory?”

The Pennsylvania Probation/ Parole Supervision is very “unfair” to all probationers and parolees where the conditions of “supervision is concerned.”

A violation of probation or parole can land you back in prison for the duration of the time a “probationer or parolee” has left on their original sentence to serve. A violation can be as simple as failing to report to your “probation officer or parole officer on time.”

In a situation like this, the probationer or parolee may be at work and unable to get off from work to make his/her probation/ parole appointment with their probation or parole officer. This is very unfair. A condition of probation and parole stipulates that you must be employed. To leave your place of employment before your shift ends can cause you to be fired. That’s a violation of your probation or parole.

Meek Mill’s situation is only a reflection of the hundreds and thousands of young Black men and women who are also victims of this “unjust and unfair” system of probation and parole supervision. There must be reform. The victory for Meek Mill goes far beyond his personal situation. He was able to pay for expensive lawyers to represent him, but hundreds and thousands of others cannot. But his victory Aug. 29 will help carry forward the “fight for probation and parole reform with extended leverage” as Meek supports Pennsylvania State Representative Jordan Harris’ House Bill 1555.

“On May 30, 2019 Representatives Sheryl Deloszier (R-Cumberland), House Democratic Whip Jordan Harris (D-Phila-delphia), Mike Jones (R-York), and Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) introduced bipartisan legislation–House Bill 1555 aimed at reforming Pennsylvania’s probation and parole system to reduce recidivism, lessen the workload on Pennsylvania counties and help formerly incarcerated individuals avoid technical pitfalls that keep them trapped within the system.”

I share these words from State Representative Harris, “Simply put, the way Pennsylvania operates probation and parole is outdated and leading to formerly convicted people getting caught in a system that’s loaded with trap doors.”

“As a state, we need to acknowledge that the majority of people on probation and parole are working to reform their lives and become contributing members of their communities again, but the system acts like quicksand–the harder you try to get out the more it pulls you back in. This legislation will eliminate many minor, technical violations that entrap people while giving our probation and parole officers the ability to do their jobs more efficiently.” (PA Capitol News, May 30, 2019)

“House Bill 1555, known as the Smart Probation and Parole Act, aims to remove pitfalls that plague the parole and probation system and cause people who make nonviolent mistakes to be pulled back into the criminal justice system.” (PA Capitol News, May 30, 2019)

The Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry supports Rep. Harris’ House Bill 1555 and Meek Mill continues to use his platform to bring brighter light on the injustices within the criminal justice system.

His victory brings more leverage to all activists for criminal justice and prison reform. It is even clearer that this system is broken on all fronts. But, the voice of the people for justice will not go unheard. It is unity that strengthens our movement in the City of Philadelphia and all over this country. We must stay united in this fight!

“I always say I speak for the people that don’t have a voice,” Meek Mill stated. “I hate that it had to be me to go to jail, a rapper or a public figure to go to jail, for it to become an issue. But it is an issue.”

Meek Mill went in front of Judge Leon Tucker, the same judge who also issued a decision to restore Mumia Abu-Jamal’s appellant rights. According to CBS3 reporter Joe Holden, “I know this has been a long road for you and hopefully this will be the end of it. I will continue to do what I do with the reform movement and help the people that help me,” Meek said.

Brother Dawud Bey (Pennsylvania Reform Alliance Representative) gave the NOI Prison Reform Ministry Delaware Valley Region access to the Meek Mill Rally platform where we were able to fellowship with Tamika D. Mallory (then co-chair Women’s March), Linda Sarsour (then co-chair Women’s March), Salima Suswell (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commission for Women), Mysonne (rapper, activist), and Jeff Johnson (activist, media personality). Brother Bey proposed that the Reform Alliance in Pennsylvania network and tackle criminal justice reform and prison reform in Pennsylvania. We look forward to working together in the future. All of those that I mentioned expressed their support of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry. We appreciate their words of support.

The Marathon Continues!

(Please continue to support the National NOI Prison Reform Ministry.)

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Muhammad Mosque No. 1 Prison Reform Ministry team toured the state of Michigan visiting prisons with Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad.  Muhammad Mosque No. 1 Prison Reform Ministry representatives, Brothers Karl X,  Abdul Rahman Muhammad, Corey X and Student Minister Troy Muhammad  helped facilitate a great weekend that brought inspiration  and hope to numerous inmates throughout Michigan.

Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad was received with great welcome amongst the inmates at Lakeland  Correctional Facility  and Kinross Correctional Facility. Lakeland Prison study group coordinator Jawan X Hayes was very excited and enthusiastic about their Saviours’ Day celebration, which he helped organize. He shared that he felt the words of Brother Abdul Rahman Muhammad and Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad was spirit-filled and with time for every inmate who was present.

After Lakeland facility it was off to the Kinross facility. The brothers felt great to have someone travel so far to see them.  The inmate group coordinator  at Kinross Correctional facility  Dyson X Slater  said,  “Minister Abdullah Muhammad’s Saviours’ Day 2019 message and presence made our job in this facility of mentally resurrecting our incarcerated brothers that much easier.”

He added, “After our Saviours’ Day celebration with Minister Abdullah our group attendance has risen exponentially.”

The following day the morning started off  with a radio interview in Detroit on  “The Final Call Hour” hosted by Student Minister Troy Muhammad.   Student Min. Troy Muhammad was also formerly incarcerated and attributes the Nation of Islam Prison Ministry for helping him transform his own life.

“I’m honored to host Minister Abdullah Muhammad on my show to talk about the work in prisons throughout America.  I’m honored to bring to the airwaves the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad as taught by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,”  said Student Min. Troy Muhammad.

The call lines were flooded as many people called in to share support for Student Min. Abdullah Muhammad and the work of the Nation of Islam Prison Ministry. After the show Student Min. Abdullah  Muhammad visited Muhammad Mosque No. 1 for a meeting with former inmates.  The discussion centered around creating programs to help the inmate population as well as their families.  

After productive discussions the brothers hosted Student Min. Abdullah  Muhammad and his assistant Brother Leonard Omar  for dinner. Great brotherhood and friendship was displayed. Many walking past commented on how great the brothers looked and how joyous  the group appeared.

In another part of the state, Jackson Prison was being touched by the Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry as well. Student Ministers Marcus Muhammad, Victor Muhammad and Sultan Muhammad all attended the inmate Saviours Day celebration, delivering a valuable word from Min. Farrakhan. Men were definitely being freed mentally and spiritually in Michigan prisons during the weekend.

Brother Karl X stated, “Being a former inmate it felt great to be a part of this historic weekend. The message delivered by Minister Abdullah Muhammad was received and I’m sure will transform many lives. I just want the Brothers to know that we, the Nation of Islam love them and will work hard to show our love.”

Brother Corey X who also aided in facilitating the week of work said, “For me it was a privilege to help Minister Abdullah help the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. This teaching saved me, and I want to get it to others.”

On the outside Student Minister Troy Muhammad spoke at an event titled “Faith, Family and Friends”, that was centered around welcoming home those who have been incarcerated. Maurice Munson was one of the men being welcomed home after 27 years. He thanked Student Minister Troy Muhammad for his words and work. He also felt blessed to be able to shake the hand of Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad who inspired him while he was in prison.

The ministry visited Chippewa, Newberry and Macomb facilities next. At each facility Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad was well received and very much appreciated. Additional applause must be given to these brothers who traveled through some very harsh weather conditions, going to a couple prisons that have never seen outside representation from the ministry.

Brother Abdul Rahman Muhammad visits prisons on behalf of Muhammad Mosque No. 1 and said he was happy to bring the message to these brothers; the message that each brother is valuable and that “the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan loves them.”

Overall it was a fantastic week of work for the Nation of Islam Prison Ministry of Michigan’s Muhammad Mosque No. 1. Minister Abdullah Muhammad and the Prison Ministry of Michigan visited eight prisons, inspiring those incarcerated in the way of change.

They were also able to do some proactive work in the community. To all of the above, Student Minister Abdullah and his staff in Michigan says, “All praise is due to Allah!”

The post Sharing light in the ‘Belly of the Beast’ in Michigan appeared first on Final Call News.

PHILADELPHIA–The Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry hosted a community rally at Muhammad Mosque No. 12. The purpose was to inform and update the community on the health condition of Mumia Abu-Jamal who supporters argue has been in prison for over 30 years wrongfully convicted for killing a Philadelphia police officer.

Mr. Abu-Jamal nearly died several years ago, having suffered from Hepatitis C. It was only after a lengthy court battle that he was able to not only get treatment for himself but other inmates as well.

Pam Africa, from the Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, noted that the fight to end mass incarceration is in our hands. “Our problem is we let the media tell us what’s happening in our community,” Ms. Africa said adding that MOVE founder John Africa told Mumia when he was incarcerated, “I got you in my hands.” When we go to jail, we look at it as an activity, and our job is to teach, he told Mumia.

Ms. Africa informed the audience that Mr. Abu-Jamal is very ill. “He has severe itching from the side effects of his medication. He also has been diagnosed with glaucoma and cataracts and suffers from poor vision. We need money,” she said. “Ain’t no power like the power of the people when the power of the people don’t stop!” she pointed out in a familiar chant. “We need to demand justice and never give up,” she concluded.

In his opening remarks, Student Regional Prison Reform Minister Gregory Muhammad talked about the little-known connection between the Nation of Islam and the MOVE organization of which Mr. Abu-Jamal is a member. “In the early days of the rebuilding of the Nation (of Islam) at Holmsburg Prison, the early followers had no place to meet,” he explained.

“MOVE member Eddie Africa offered to share their meeting space with the Nation. In another instance, when brothers from the Nation obtained cassette tapes of Minister (Louis) Farrakhan, they had nothing to play them on. Once again, Brother Delbert Africa stepped forward and offered the brothers the use of their boom box which contained a cassette player. It’s all connected to Mumia,” said Gregory Muhammad. “The spirit of the movement and revolution was present.”

Philadelphia journalist Lin Washington also presented at the program. Mr. Washington has chronicled Mr. Abu-Jamal’s story from the beginning. During his presentation, he said the case against Mr. Abu-Jamal boils down to two words, “prosecutorial misconduct.” He explained the police coerced the “so-called eye witness” against Mr. Abu-Jamal. His alleged confession was a shame, and the ballistics test a lie, he continued. Out of the 35 cops involved in his case, 17 have been discharged from the force for corruption, said Mr. Washington. “Mumia Abu-Jamal is in prison for one reason, he is a political prisoner,” he added.

Student Minster Gregory Muhammad told The Final Call the meeting was the brainchild of Student Minister Rodney Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 12. “The reason for the meeting was to sound the alarm for the immediate medical treatment for Mr. Abu-Jamal. We wanted the community to be educated about the issues concerning his health.”

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PHILADELPHIA–Nation of Islam Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad made an appearance in Philadelphia recently, visiting Phoenix, the newly-operated maximum security state correctional institution located outside the city. As a part of his stop in the city, he was greeted warmly at Muhammad Mosque No. 12 on May 18, where he was the guest speaker.

The fiery student minister spoke before a packed house that included MOVE member and head of the International Family and Friends of Mumia- Abu Jamal, Pam Africa and her husband, Raza Khan, in the audience.

Quoting Victor Hugo, Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad stated, “If the soul is left in darkness sins will be committed. The guilty one is not he who sins but rather the one that causes the darkness.”

“Policymakers, White society create darkness, create slums, unemployment, ignorance discrimination, and poverty,” he pointed out, borrowing words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“It is incontestable and deplorable that Blacks have committed a crime, but they are derivative crimes. These crimes are born of the greater crimes of the White society,” said Abdullah Muhammad.

He went to say when we are asked to abide by the law; the White man does not. He violates welfare laws, laws to deprive the poor of meager allot ments, building codes. Whites violate laws for equal opportunity, education, and the provision for civil services, he continued.

He encouraged his audience to stop reciting and act on what they say. “We have to make our minds up,” he said. If you don’t step up, how can we have confidence in you when the enemy attacks? he asked.

“If your heart is filled with faith and you don’t think but go into action nobody needs to tell you what to do,” he advised.

“They can’t stand a fearless Black man; and that’s why they can’t stand Minister Louis Farrakhan and those of us that are with him.”

Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad informed the audience that many people criticize him as being “too raw,” in how he expresses and teaches. He told the story of a prison reform meeting held at Muhammad University of Islam. Minister Farrakhan was in the audience when Student Min. Abdullah said to those in attendance at that meeting, “When I get the orders, I will carry them out.”

Later that evening he said Min. Farrakhan questioned him about his statement and instructed him that’s exactly what you say to your enemies because they are thinking in the back of their mind when you get the orders how are you are going to apply it to them? explained Student Min. Abdullah. “We fight with those who fight with us,” he added.

He told the audience that the Minister has expressed his confidence in him and the work that he does in the prison reform ministry.

One morning, shared Student Min. Abdullah, the Minister woke up and told him he was the first one on his mind. He then placed Student Min. Abdullah over the New Life Security Company in Rockwell Gardens, the worst housing project in the county as chief of security.

At the time, he was a first officer and the National Prison reform student minister. Min. Farrakhan told me, “I’m going to have to learn to manage my time better,” said Student Min. Abdullah, eliciting laughter from the audience.

“We want everybody to make it,” Student Min. Abdullah concluded. “The Honorable Elijah Muhammad said through Minister Farrakhan: ‘I will get all my people.’”

Minister Abdullah shared that when he came out of prison after serving his time, “I came out not asking what the Nation could do for me. I was already a Muslim. I want you to know there is a God present and he promises to defend us.”

The post An Illuminating Message In The ‘City Of Brotherly Love’ appeared first on Final Call News.

“And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.”  –Isaiah 19:20 (KJV)

“Therefore, you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.”  –Nehemiah 9:27 (English Standard Version)

As I sat in my seat in the United Center, listening to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan give his monumental Saviours’ Day address, “A Saviour is Born for the Whole of Humanity: No One Need Perish,” I began to reflect on my life and how truly blessed we are to have someone like the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan to care about us.

As I thought of the adversity and some of the difficulty factors I had to overcome just to be in that seat, tears fell from my eyes because I knew only Allah (God) could have made this day possible. For it was just seven months ago that I was languishing in a prison cell not knowing if I would ever get out, and now I was listening to the messianic voice of God, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

I asked myself the question found in the book “Message to the Blackman,” posed by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad where he states “how can I repay Allah for His Coming?” The one thing that flashed across my mind was to use my life to bear witness to the world as to WHAT ISLAM HAS DONE FOR ME.

Thirty years ago, I was living my dream. I was finishing up my collegiate basketball career and completing my course work to earn a degree in business administration. I had dreams of landing some high-paying job, or running a Fortune 500 corporation, maybe even owning my own business someday. But those dreams quickly turned into a nightmare. In 1993 I was sentenced to life in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. As I sat in my cell with the stench of urine and feces filling the air, I could only wonder “How could this happen to me? How could I have fallen so low so fast?”For the next seven years I tried to find a way to cope with the myriad of emotions that I felt; grief, depression, frustration, and of course anger. I tried everything I could to get some relief from the veritable hell I was in, all kinds of coping mechanisms, but eventually they all failed. Then one day a neatly dressed, highly disciplined brother invited me to attend the Nation of Islam services held in the prison chapel.

As I sat in that seat watching an old VHS tape of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, I heard him say “there is no human being that cannot be redeemed,” and those words struck a chord with me. It was as though he was speaking directly to me. I began to attend the NOI services regularly along with studying the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. One of my favorite courses of study was (and still is) the Self-Improvement Study Guides.

I began the arduous task of Self-Examination, Self-Analysis, and ultimately Self-Correction. The more I submitted to the Divine Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the guidance of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the greater the desire burned in me to atone for the wrong I had done. I began to propagate the Teachings every chance I got. I was blessed, by Allah’s permission to re-establish eight NOI Study Groups, two NOI libraries which contained all the books, Study Fuides, and over 300 DVDs. We organized a conflict resolution committee, a gang-transition protocol, GED study halls, and a 3-pt. program taken from the Millions More Movement using Unity, Education, and Cultural Awareness as the focal points. No matter what obstacles were put in my way or adversity, I had to endure, I was determined to do all I could to spread the message of Atonement, Reconciliation, and Responsibility across the entire Department of Corrections. I began teaching at Lake County Regional Correctional Facility, then I was transferred to South Central Correctional Facility where we were blessed to establish a Study Group at all three sites.

After four and a half years of work, I was transferred to West Tennessee State Penitentiary and with Allah’s help established three study groups and organized the Nation’s Program which culminated in our hosting the Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad. I was eventually transferred two more times, first to Whiteville Correctional Facility, then to Northwest Correctional Complex, each time organizing NOI Study Groups with the assistance and guidance of Muhammad Mosque No. 60 Prison Reform Ministry. I kept working every day and the words of the Honorable Minister Farrakhan proved true:  Development Outgrows Confinement,  and on July 17, 2018 after being handed a life sentence, I walked out of prison.

I could never thank Allah enough for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry, and Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad, for never forgetting about those of us in the Belly of the Beast. Upon release I reported directly to Student Captain Andre Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 60, to continue what I now realize is my life’s work, and that is to make my word bond and help the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan deliver our people. THIS IS WHAT ISLAM HAS DONE FOR ME.”

Brother Kenneth 5X is a Student in the NOI Prison Reform Ministry at Muhammad Mosque No. 55.

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During the “Ask Farrakhan,” Twitter and Social Media townhall held at The Final Call Administration Building in Chicago in Twitter 2013, this writer asked the following question: “What is the importance of The NOI Prison Reform Ministry?”

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s answer: “Some of our greatest minds are languishing in prison, not because we are wicked by nature, but we are wicked by circumstance. And others are there who are absolutely, innocent! Prison has been used by the wicked to trap and imprison minds that are rebellious to their system. So, what we would like to see happen to those in prison is what happened to Brother Malcolm as a perfect example. So, we should demand that books are in the libraries that can inspire us to greatness–and it can start with The Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.”

On behalf of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s National Prison Reform Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad and the NOI Prison Reform Ministry regions across our nation, we thank you for supporting our vending table at one of the “Best” Saviours’ Day celebrations ever. Our vending table was set up to help raise money to sustain the National Prison Reform Ministry. Our number one project is to secure property to open a “Transition House.” The Transition House will be established in Chicago and then duplicated in cities across the country. What is the purpose of this Transition House? It will serve as a refuge for our incarcerated family. Many of our brothers and sisters are being released from prison daily. Many of these prisoners were incarcerated for 20, 30, 40 years and have lost family members and friends.

This loss creates problems for some prisoners who are going through the process for pre-release. That process includes a “Home Plan.” Part of the plan is “stable housing.” If this is not satisfied, the eligible prisoner is denied release until it can be satisfied. This must stop! We must care for our own people behind prison walls. The establishing of the “Transition House” can become the answer to this problem. So, the NOI Prison Reform Ministry is on a “national drive,” not a “fundraiser,” because once we secure the “Transition House,” it can only be sustained by the continuous generosity of our people.

The NOI Prison Reform Ministry vending table offered to the many hundreds and thousands of people walking through the area, information about the work of our prison ministry and testimonies from prison ministry members who served decades inside of prison and also student prison reform ministers who never served time in prison, but they go into prisons to share the Life-Giving and Life-Saving Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad as taught by The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan with the Nation of Islam Prison Study Group and the general inmate population.This writer remembers being in prison, sitting in my cell meditating on the day of my release and going forth to help the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan with the “resurrection of our people,” as I, myself, continue to go through the “resurrection process.” What a blessing to be at Saviours’ Day, standing behind the vending table of the NOI Prison Reform Ministry. Being inside prison and thinking about doing something like this is “like a dream.” But it is a “dream come true.” I truly thank the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and his Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad for letting us serve as “Student Regional Prison Reform Ministers.”

In closing, I wish to share some words from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in a letter, the Minister sent to me dated August 13, 1983:

“Beloved Brother, I do not believe that you will see death or long imprisonment for your past actions while you were without the knowledge of yourself. Demonstrate to the officials of this prison that you may help keep your brothers and sisters in the streets from having to go to prison.”

The Minister’s words to me also applies to the hundreds and thousands of men and women who are sitting in prison as these words are being written.

We thank Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad for his dedication and commitment to carry out his commission given to him from Min. Farrakhan, to take the NOI Prison Reform Ministry to every jail, state prison, and federal prison throughout this country. All praises are due to Allah for the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan!

To everyone that desires to support “their” prison reform ministry, visit page 25 of The Final Call newspaper where you will find how you can make a contribution today.

Again, a “big thanks,” to all who supported the NOI Prison Reform Ministry vending table.

Gregory Muhammad is the Nation of Islam Student Regional Prison Reform Minister for the Delaware Valley Region.

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