Mumia Addresses the World Death Penalty Conference

"Death Row is a Web That Catches Only the Poor" By LINN WASHINGTON, Jr. February 17 / 18, 2007. Paris, France.

During the opening ceremony of the 3rd World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris recently--a session featuring top diplomats and dignitaries--only one actual death row inmate addressed the delegates from over 120 nations: Pennsylvania death row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal.

Abu-Jamal delivered brief remarks recorded from his Pa death row cell that echoed criticisms of the death penalty contained in presentations during the opening session by top officials from France, Germany, Italy and the Council of Europe.

"Death row is a web that catches only the poor. Race and poverty are excellent predictors of who ends up on death row," said Abu-Jamal, recognized internationally as a symbol of injustice in the US yet considered by some Americans as simply a 'cop killer.'

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