Mumia abu Jamal: Message to Occupy Wall Street movement

[In a letter to fellow former Panther Kiilu Nyasha on December 6, Mumia expressed these thoughts about the Egyptian movement and OccupyWall Street:

"I find the OWS movement as a truly impressive beginning -- but not an end.  It's got a long way to go, in my view.  It needs some color, some working class consciousness, and some soul.  But it's a damn good beginning.  If they stay engaged, they will learn. When I look at them, I see/hear echoes from Tahir Square in Cairo; where the people said, "The army and the people are one!"  For, at first, in Zuccoti Sq., N.Y., the demonstrators were yelling (and holding signs that saying), "The police are part of the 99%."  I think both groups have learned a new lesson from the University of Experience.  I hope so."

And here, Mumia's Message to OWS as dictated while in Administrative Custody at SCI Manahoy (being transferred from Death Row to the general prison population) in Frackville, PA, Thursday, December 15, 2011. -- Frontlines ed.]

My Friends of OWS,

My message will have to be brief. But let not this brevity take from it, its strength.

You are the central movement of the hour. You’re raising questions that are in the hearts of millions. Your motto, “We are the 99%,” has been heard, heeded, and responded to by millions. You can be certain that the 1% have heard you clearest of all.

Your work, however, is just beginning. You must deepen, strengthen, and further your work until it truly reaches the 99%, almost all of us: workers, black folk, Latinos and Latinas, LGBTs, immigrants, Asians, artists, all of us, for we are integral parts of the 99%. I salute you and hope fervently that you will grow beyond number.

Though I speak to you today by proxy, I’m confident that you will hear my voice soon.

Love, fun and music,

Mumia Abu-Jamal