Editor's Comment: Mumia Abu-Jamal, former Black Panther, has been a political prisoner in the United States since 1981. Below, in his statement of gratitude to Puerto Ricans who protested his imprisonment in April, Mumia Abu-Jamal is reminded of Lolita Lebron, Puerto Rican revolutionary who, all her life, fought for the independence of Puerto Rico.

On March 1, 1954, 4 Puerto Ricans, fighting for the independence of their country, raided the U.S. Capitol, opening fire on the Congress. Noone was killed in the attack but Lolita Lebron and the others were sentenced to death but later, President Eisenhower commuted their sentences to 70 years in prison. In 1979 they were freed by Jimmy Carter in exchange for Fidel Castro's release of CIA spies held in Cuba.

"Before God and the world, my blood claims for the independence of Puerto Rico. My life I give for the freedom of my country. This is a cry for victory in our struggle for independence . . . The United States of America is betraying the sacred principles of mankind in their continuous subjugation of my country . . . I take all for responsible."

– Lolita Lebrón (from a handwritten
note found in her purse after the
attack on the U.S. Congress

From death row

Statement from Mumia Abu-Jamal to the April 24th "Millions for Mumia" demonstration to take place in Puerto Rico:

Mumia at his appeal for a new trial in May, 2007. He appeal was denied in March, 2008. The battle to free this U.S. political prisoner continues.

Mis hermanas y hermanos de Boriqua! Muchos gracias!

Whenever I think of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement, I feel luckier than most writers. I had the pleasure some time ago of meeting and interviewing several of the independentistas who raided the Congress back in 1954, among them Rafael Cancel Miranda, Irving Flores and others. I don't think Lolita Lebron made the conference. But years later, Black revolutionary Assata Shakur would write about meeting Lolita, and to read that was so wonderful that I wept. And reading about Assata meeting Lolita was almost like meeting her yourself.

For over 20 years, those revolutionaries served their people's freedom and independence struggle in the Empire's dungeons. They were an inspiration to us all! I'm sure that their courageous example continues to inspire those independentistas who are caged within the U.S. Empire's dungeons today.

I know when I interviewed them, I never thought I would one day be caged as they were. I can only hope their example and those of other political prisoners taught me well.

So, let us yell and then fight to free our brothers and sisters held in Yankee cages!! Independencia! Libertad para los presos politicas! Basta Ya! Ona Move! Long Live John Africa!

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