He has been described as “the world’s most famous death-row inmate,” but that description is no longer true. On Wednesday, prosecutors in Philadelphia said they were dropping the state’s efforts to execute former Black Panther and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal. His sentence will be converted to life in prison, without parole. District Attorney Seth Williams said it was “time to put the case to rest” for the city of Philadelphia. It was 30 years ago this week that Mumia Abu-Jamal, former journalist, was arrested for shooting a police officer Daniel Faulkner. Linn Washington is columnist for the Philadelphia Tribune, journalism professor at Temple University, and a reporter who has been following the story for 30 years.
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!