Chokwe Lumumba, presente. His name was Chokwe, Chokwe Lumumba, and for over 40 years, he was a people’s lawyer dedicated to the needs of the Black nation. As a young lawyer in Detroit, he worked to defend members of the nationalist group the Republic of New Afrika [RNA], after their members were attacked by police and many were arrested back in 1981. When he signed on to defend RNA members, Bilal Sunni-Ali and Fulani Sunni-Ali, the judge went out of his way to remove him from the case. But Lumumba and the Alis’ fought to reverse this order, and sure enough, it got reversed.
That fierce determination fueled him through an exemplary career in law, and he developed the nationalist practice that attracted radicals and revolutionaries as clients. When famed rapper Tupac Shakur was charged with aggravated assault on several cops, Lumumba represented him and beat the case. When the Scott sisters were fighting an unjust conviction, Chokwe Lumumba convinced the Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour, to free them in 2011, after over 17 years in prison. When he entered electoral politics, Jackson, Mississippi would become his city, after election as mayor. He was able, imaginative, and determined. Chokwe Lumumba, after 66 years of life, recently joined his ancestors. He never stopped fighting for the freedom of Black people. From in prison nation, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.
These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.
