FREE MUMIA Demonstration, May 12, 2001, Amsterdam
Following the refusal of the city to grant us a permit to start from Dam square, the demonstration grudgingly assembled at the starting point for the march, across the street from the open space.
We had been told this was a necessary "security" measure due to the planned royal event to be held here (but not until 4 hours later!). That lie was conveniently exposed as we noticed a christian celebration occurring on the very space that we had been denied!
People showed their solidarity with banners, placards, and chants of "Free Mumia!"
As we set out to march toward the U.S. consulate....
people took up their banners...
and proceeded down the sidewalk (as the police had demanded!), forcing pedestrians onto the bike lane.
Of course, police were waiting for us at every turn!
But that didn't dampen the spirit of our demonstration!
The demonstrators begin to sit the grass on museumplein across from the U.S. consulate
With the U.S. consulate, protected by a tall steel fence...
Banners are tied right to the gates of George W Bush's
fortress in Amsterdam!
No trouble from the police. This time. But as the rally finishes,
we cannot help but notice 3 or 4 police paddy-wagons leaving
from their hiding place behind the consulate! Along with several horses
and other police encircling the demo, we could see that once again,
we were the targets of the FOP's counterparts in Holland. Lacking a pretext,
they had not attacked. But the frame-up of Mumia continues, and so does
our battle! We continue to demand:
Free Mumia Abu-Jamal!
Free ALL political prisoners!
End the racist death penalty!
We also demand that the charges against the Mumia 6 be dropped. Those are the activists who were arrested at last September's Free Mumia demonstration in The Hague which was attacked by riot police in sympathy with their American counterparts. They are expected to go to trial this summer, and we will defend them as part of our struggle in support of Mumia and all political prisoners!