VERONICA JONES HONORED AT PHILLY BOOK LAUNCH –
RENEWED COMMITMENT TO FIGHT FOR MUMIA’S FREEDOM
October 23, 2012
Black and Nobel Bookstore in north Philadelphia was the site of the October 20 Philly Book launch for Veronica & the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the posthumous memoir of a key witness to Mumia’s innocence. Over 50 people gathered to meet author Valerie Jones, Veronica’s sister, hear Veronica’s daughters read excerpts of the book, celebrate and honor Veronica for her courage and integrity to get out the truth while battling police, prosecutorial and judicial coercion and harassment.
The event began with a wrenching video interview of Veronica shortly after her historic courtroom testimony in October 1996 stating she lied at Mumia’s 1982 trial when she denied seeing two men running from the scene. Police had threatened her with 10-15 years in prison and the loss of her three young daughters unless she falsely accused Mumia as the shooter. In an unprecedented act of judicial abuse, Veronica was arrested off the witness stand when she testified to the truth in 1996! As Veronica explained on film and in more detail in her memoir—she couldn’t live with the lie she told about Mumia, a lie that she feared might cost him his life.
Mumia’s emotionally charged Forward—recorded and played for the event—applauded Veronica’s courage.
The highlight of the book launch was Veronica’s three daughters, Sherri, Tiffany and Kiyra reading excerpts: Veronica’s hospital bed promise to tell her full story; her outrage at the judicial and police abuse when she testified; and her 2007 statement to the Today Show.
Other participants in the event underscored the importance of Veronica’s stand, her character and the continuing struggle to free Mumia from the slow death of life imprisonment. Rachel Wolkenstein outlined the significance of Veroncia’s true testimony and spoke of the evidence of Mumia’s innocence that every appeal court—state and federal--refused to consider. The treatment of Veronica and the frame up of Mumia exemplifies the race and class bias that permeates criminal justice system.
Ramona Africa and Prof. Tony Monteiro each saluted Veronica’s courage and her commitment to fight for the truth—as an example for her children and grandchildren. They spoke directly and movingly to Valerie Jones, other siblings and Veronica’s daughters, thanking them for bringing Veronica’s memoir out.
Attorney Michael Coard saw Veronica as an example of standing fast and the need to continue fighting for Mumia. He spoke to Mumia being secretly sentenced to life imprisonment. He said he goes into the court to expose injustices, not to seek or expect justice from the courts.
Pam Africa told of Veronica’s participation in protest and speaking out for Mumia in the years after her 1996 court appearance and the constant police harassment and threats she endured. The harassment of anyone who is even remotely associated with Mumia continues – including the current attack on congressional candidates, such as Kathy Boockvar whose husband, Jordan Yeager, was Veronica’s attorney during the 1996 court hearing.
Hakim Hopkins, owner of Black and Nobel Bookstore, spoke of recognizing Veronica when he saw the cover of the book, and described working alongside her at a telemarketing job and what a lively, warm woman she was prior to her 1996 testimony.
The event concluded with Valerie Jones thanking all for their support and continued commitment to fight for Mumia’s freedom. She spoke to the importance of supporting others in political struggle and that anyone could have been or become Veronica. A petition demanding Mumia’s freedom from prison was circulated and signed.
An article reviewing the book and advertising the book launch by Linn Washington, “New Book Reveals Sex Angle in Abu-Jamal Case,” in the Philadelphia Tribune (October 16, 2012), noted Veronica’s accounts of being raped by police officers in a remote section of Fairmont park as well as her intimate relationship with police officer Daniel Faulkner. In referencing the legal afterward in the book, Washington noted that
Federal Court Judge Yohn acknowledged Veronica Jones’ 1996 testimony to be believable, but nonetheless would not allow a defense challenge to be heard.
The publication of Veronica Jones’ memoir coincides with other actions in the fight to free Mumia, notably a new film— Long Distance Revolutionary, another street re-naming in France and the court fight against Mumia’s secretly imposed life sentence.
For more information, to set up book events and to purchase copies of Veronica & the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, visit:
RENEWED COMMITMENT TO FIGHT FOR MUMIA’S FREEDOM
October 23, 2012
Black and Nobel Bookstore in north Philadelphia was the site of the October 20 Philly Book launch for Veronica & the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the posthumous memoir of a key witness to Mumia’s innocence. Over 50 people gathered to meet author Valerie Jones, Veronica’s sister, hear Veronica’s daughters read excerpts of the book, celebrate and honor Veronica for her courage and integrity to get out the truth while battling police, prosecutorial and judicial coercion and harassment.
The event began with a wrenching video interview of Veronica shortly after her historic courtroom testimony in October 1996 stating she lied at Mumia’s 1982 trial when she denied seeing two men running from the scene. Police had threatened her with 10-15 years in prison and the loss of her three young daughters unless she falsely accused Mumia as the shooter. In an unprecedented act of judicial abuse, Veronica was arrested off the witness stand when she testified to the truth in 1996! As Veronica explained on film and in more detail in her memoir—she couldn’t live with the lie she told about Mumia, a lie that she feared might cost him his life.
Mumia’s emotionally charged Forward—recorded and played for the event—applauded Veronica’s courage.
The highlight of the book launch was Veronica’s three daughters, Sherri, Tiffany and Kiyra reading excerpts: Veronica’s hospital bed promise to tell her full story; her outrage at the judicial and police abuse when she testified; and her 2007 statement to the Today Show.
Other participants in the event underscored the importance of Veronica’s stand, her character and the continuing struggle to free Mumia from the slow death of life imprisonment. Rachel Wolkenstein outlined the significance of Veroncia’s true testimony and spoke of the evidence of Mumia’s innocence that every appeal court—state and federal--refused to consider. The treatment of Veronica and the frame up of Mumia exemplifies the race and class bias that permeates criminal justice system.
Ramona Africa and Prof. Tony Monteiro each saluted Veronica’s courage and her commitment to fight for the truth—as an example for her children and grandchildren. They spoke directly and movingly to Valerie Jones, other siblings and Veronica’s daughters, thanking them for bringing Veronica’s memoir out.
Attorney Michael Coard saw Veronica as an example of standing fast and the need to continue fighting for Mumia. He spoke to Mumia being secretly sentenced to life imprisonment. He said he goes into the court to expose injustices, not to seek or expect justice from the courts.
Pam Africa told of Veronica’s participation in protest and speaking out for Mumia in the years after her 1996 court appearance and the constant police harassment and threats she endured. The harassment of anyone who is even remotely associated with Mumia continues – including the current attack on congressional candidates, such as Kathy Boockvar whose husband, Jordan Yeager, was Veronica’s attorney during the 1996 court hearing.
Hakim Hopkins, owner of Black and Nobel Bookstore, spoke of recognizing Veronica when he saw the cover of the book, and described working alongside her at a telemarketing job and what a lively, warm woman she was prior to her 1996 testimony.
The event concluded with Valerie Jones thanking all for their support and continued commitment to fight for Mumia’s freedom. She spoke to the importance of supporting others in political struggle and that anyone could have been or become Veronica. A petition demanding Mumia’s freedom from prison was circulated and signed.
An article reviewing the book and advertising the book launch by Linn Washington, “New Book Reveals Sex Angle in Abu-Jamal Case,” in the Philadelphia Tribune (October 16, 2012), noted Veronica’s accounts of being raped by police officers in a remote section of Fairmont park as well as her intimate relationship with police officer Daniel Faulkner. In referencing the legal afterward in the book, Washington noted that
Federal Court Judge Yohn acknowledged Veronica Jones’ 1996 testimony to be believable, but nonetheless would not allow a defense challenge to be heard.
The publication of Veronica Jones’ memoir coincides with other actions in the fight to free Mumia, notably a new film— Long Distance Revolutionary, another street re-naming in France and the court fight against Mumia’s secretly imposed life sentence.
For more information, to set up book events and to purchase copies of Veronica & the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, visit:
