Mumia Must Live!

Demonstrations took place all over the world on International Day of Action for Mumia Abu-Jamal, a journalist and activist who has spent over 17 years on Death Row in the USA for a crime he didn't commit.

Huge international protests have delayed his execution in the past, but now he is threatened again. A stay of execution is due to run out between the end of March and the start of April. This is Mumia's last chance for justice, and the international campaign is increasing pressure on the American state to prevent his execution.

In Britain, just under 1000 people took part in the march and rally at Trafalgar Square, London .

150 activists and human rights campaigners marched through the Broadmead shopping in Bristol . Protests took place outside of two McDonald's restaurants, the Disney Shop and in one of the shopping centre's main meeting points. Music was provided by a local samba band and flyers and information were distributed to the public.

In Newcastle , one person was arrested after a rally at which an American flag was burnt as a symbol of oppression and of institutionalized racism within the penal system in the USA. The ashes of the flag were went to the American Embassy, along with letters calling for the release of Mumia. Around 50 people then marched to Benetton who recently launched an advertising campaign using Death Row prisoners.

Demonstrations also took place in Birmingham , Coventry , Liverpool , Manchester , Nottingham and Sheffield .

For more info tel: 020 7538 5821 or see www.mumia.org.