CPU Newsletter

December 7, 2004

The Case for Mumia Abu-Jamal: Lecture and Discussion with Rachel
Wolkenstein, Former Lead Counsel

TODAY, 12/7 at 8:00 pm
Satow Room, Lerner Hall

In 1982, a Philadelphia court sentenced Mumia Abu-Jamal to death for
the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer. Despite repeated
appeals to the Pennsylvania and United States Supreme Courts, Mr.
Abu-Jamal, a onetime radio reporter and former Black Panther,
remains on death row. His case has fueled a passionate public
debate about the moral and legal implications of racism and capital
punishment. Ms. Wolkestein will speak about her experience with
these and other issues as a lead counsel to Mr. Abu-Jamal.

Ms. Wolkenstein graduated cum laude from State University of New
York at Buffalo in 1970, and obtained her JD degree from
SUNY/Buffalo Law School in 1973. While in law school, she interned
with the James Madison Institute of Constitutional Law and worked
on Roe v. Wade, the case which established the constitutional right
for women to obtain abortions. Upon graduation, she practiced
criminal law under Harold Fahringher and Gerald Lefcourt until
beginning her own practice in 1980 concentrating on criminal law
and litigation in civil rights and civil liberties. As staff
counsel for the Partisan Defense Committee, Wolkenstein has
assisted in its work publicizing and protesting the cases of those
imprisoned for their political beliefs and activities. These have
included striking workers victimized for defense of their picket
lines; former Black Panther Party members including Geronimo ji
jaga (Pratt); MOVE members, and those targeted in the so-called war
against terror such as Palestinian activist Farouk Abdel-Muhti and
anarchist youth Sherman Austin.

Ms. Wolkenstein will speak for approximately 30 minutes about her
experience as lead counsel, and will then lead an open discussion
with audience members.

This event is co-sponsored by Amnesty International, the Black Law
Students Association, the Black Students Organization, the
International Socialist Organization, the United Students of Color
Council, and the Columbia Political Union.