Author Archives: admin

The Excuses of Larry Krasner

[The following article is posted for informational purposes only.]

https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/02/the-excuses-of-larry-krasner

THE EXCUSES OF LARRY KRASNER

We can’t blindly trust people in power when they refuse to explain themselves…

Larry Krasner was elected district attorney of Philadelphia in 2018 with a radically progressive mandate. As a former public defender and civil rights lawyer, he has been long critical of the criminal punishment system. He’s perhaps the most “progressive prosecutor” in the country, and has already effectively decriminalized marijuana, sued Big Pharma companies, and required his deputies to consider the costs of mass incarceration in their sentencing recommendations. Activist Shaun King has said Krasner was “exceeding expectations” and that his sentencing memorandum was a “dream come true.” But recently, Krasner has received criticism from fellow reformers, after announcing that his office would challenge a judge’s decision in favor of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the former Black Panther controversially imprisoned for the 1981 murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner.

Continue reading →

Krasner: Mumia’s Appeal is “Nuanced”

[The following article is posted for informational purposes only. Mumia’s appeal is not “nuanced”. The evidence makes out a clear case of factual innocence. Any “nuance” in the situation likely derives from Justice Ron Castille’s presence on Krasner’s transition team when Krasner became Philadelphia District Attorney.]

https://theintercept.com/2019/02/09/larry-krasner-mumia-abu-jamal/

LARRY KRASNER RESPONDS TO PROGRESSIVE CRITICS: MUMIA ABU-JAMAL APPEAL IS “INCREDIBLY COMPLEX AND NUANCED”


February 9 2019, 5:22 a.m.

IN HIS FIRST public comments about his office’s January decision to fight a new appeal from incarcerated activist Mumia Abu-Jamal, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner asked for patience from critics.

Continue reading →

Arizona Prisoner Dies from Hepatitis C After Filing Notice “I Am Being Killed”

These articles from the Phoenix New Times and AZCentral show the rampant medical mistreatment in the Arizona prison system for Hepatitis C. Five death row inmates since 2014 in the Arizona prison system have died from Hepatitis C-related issues.

Mumia narrowly escaped death a few years ago from a Hepatitis C infection, which the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections refused to diagnose and treat. The Labor Action Committee to Free Mumia participated in the international campaign to save Mumia’s life, organizing demonstrations at the JP Morgan’s annual biotech conference at the Westin St. Francis, as well as Gilead Sciences’ headquarters in Union City in January 2016. Gilead manufactures Harvoni, which cures Hepatitis C. The company charges upwards of $ 10,000 for each pill ($95,000 for a 12-week course of treatment).

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-prisoner-dies-after-writing-being-killed-in-court-document-11200551

Arizona Prisoner Dies After Writing ‘I Am Being Killed’ in Court Document

STEVEN HSIEH | FEBRUARY 7, 2019 | 12:12PM

An Arizona state inmate died of health complications six weeks after he filed a court document claiming that he was “being killed” due to inadequate medical care.

Richard Washington died on January 31 in the prison infirmary, according to a spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Corrections. He died of complications related to diabetes, hypertension, and hepatitis C, according to an investigator with the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s office.

Continue reading →

Open Letter to the RebLaw Conference

Attached is a letter from five Harvard University students protesting the Rebellious Lawyering (“RebLaw”) Conference’s selection of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner as their keynote speaker, and excluding Mumia Abu-Jamal.

[Letter begins]

We, a collective of law students, are writing to voice our total and vehement opposition to the invitation that the upcoming Rebellious Lawyer Conference at Yale (February 15/16, 2019) has extended to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Philadelphia’s so-called “progressive prosecutor” has challenged a court ruling that granted Mumia Abu-Jamal the right to re-appeal his conviction. Abu-Jamal is an award-winning radio journalist, former Black Panther, and political prisoner known as the Nelson Mandela of our time. Krasner’s recent actions have not been rebellious but instead have served the establishment and done its bidding. We demand that Krasner be held accountable and that conference organzers take a stand by disinviting Krasner. Krasner must immediately withdraw his Notice of Appeal opposing Mumia’s historic legal win.

Continue reading →