by JR Valrey, The People’s Minister of Information
The Third International Meeting on Theoretical Publications of Left-Wing Parties and Movements and the first Granma-Rebelde Festival 2025 celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Granma-Rebelde Newspaper and the Juventud Newspaper were both held Oct. 15-20 at Nico Lopez University in Miramar, Cuba. I was in attendance along with Jamal Ibn Mumia, the oldest son of political prisoner and internationally known journalist Mumia Abu Jamal, who is leading the Mumia Freedom Tour as well as his non-profit organization, Freedom From Frameup Inc. History was made inside the conferences as well as outside of the conferences, so here is a Q&A with Jamal Ibn Mumia to explain the relevance of what occurred.
Minister of Information JR: What did the Mumia Freedom Tour recently do in Cuba?
Jamal Ibn Mumia: The Mumia Freedom Tour established international political relationships with other countries’ media platforms and delegates and relationships with oppressed people who have experienced similar political fates. In Cuba, as Black Panther Political Prisoners Kamau Sadiki, Imam Jamil Al-Amin and also my father, Mumia Abu Jamal, continue to be held in prison over decades for political beliefs facing a judicial system weaponized against them. It was very important to share their stories.
JR Valrey: Why is Cuba an important place for Black Panther Political Prisoners’ campaigns?
Jamal Ibn Mumia: Cuba’s legacy centers around the Cuban people’s revolution to obtain and maintain their independence, and respect for true journalists. In addition, it has always been a central location that supports journalists and revolutionaries working to stop the political oppression and unlawful persecution of our people today, and the past freedom fighters for human rights and freedom around the world.
JR Valrey: What were your thoughts when you heard about the passing of Black Panther/Black Liberation Army political exile Assata Shakur in Cuba a few weeks ago?
Jamal Ibn Mumia: My thoughts were initially low, sad to see her life transitioning. However, I was also very proud of the challenges she faced as a political icon. She didn’t fold, and she continued to create political awareness around human rights, as well as continuing her work for humanity in Cuba. Her legacy is that Cuba secured her freedom to live as a Cuban citizen for her full life. The loyalty of the Cuban people and the Cuban government not going back on their word, giving Assata free citizenship throughout her life and never faltering, needs to be respected. Respect to all the Cuban people.
JR Valrey: What was the message that you were sending out on behalf of the Mumia Freedom Tour, when you were being interviewed in Cuba?
Jamal Ibn Mumia: Great question! First, Mumia Abu Jamal is NOT free, even with a live video and written affidavit confession by Arnold Beverly that he, NOT Mumia, un-alived Officer Daniel Faulkner. (See http://www.freedomfromframeup.org.)
The USA has for years been sweeping under the rug of justice the facts that during the time Mumia was arrested on Dec. 9, 1981, the Philadelphia FBI office was conducting a federal probe into the same downtown Philly police precinct. It was a criminal investigation dealing with police corruption that resulted in 30 police being convicted, including some that were investigating and assigned to Mumia’s case. However these corrupt cops were never held accountable in Mumia’s case! Mumia is innocent and framed.
Regardless of all the different opportunities for release – so many US prisoners were able to get out because of Covid to elders’ rights, etc. – Mumia wasn’t. Even after having major triple bypass heart surgery, severe skin dermatitis over 90 percent of his body, diabetic shock collapse, going blind, severe cataracts in both eyes – only one eye had surgery, the other being purposely medically neglected – he hasn’t been released. Mumia after 45 years still remains innocent and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.
The world needs to support and help expose this frame-up of a Black Panther journalist, author, teacher and innocent man. Pennsylvania Gov. Joshua David Shapiro must release Mumia Abu Jamal immediately! He has the authority and power to do what is right, in minutes.
JR Valrey: To give people a scope of the two conferences, who were some of the countries represented?
Jamal Ibn Mumia: There was Cuba of course, the USA, Chile, Venezuela, Namibia, Colombia, China, Morocco, Antigua, etc. Both conferences were very informative, especially the Granma newspaper’s 60-year anniversary with all the different countries’ media platforms, in their foreign languages. That’s where we were interviewed by close to a dozen of them.
JR Valrey: What were the two biggest highlights of the Cuba trip for you on behalf of the Mumia Freedom Tour?
Jamal Ibn Mumia: Being able to experience some of the Cubans’ culture and food and translating the case of Mumia to Cuban adults and children and their hospitality and their willingness to understand the oppression of Black Panther Political Prisoners in the USA. We were also educated on their lack of medical supplies and resources for the locals, from elders to children. The 61-year US blockade against the country has taken a toll on the people.
JR Valrey: Can you talk about the process that was undertaken for La Hoya, the Cuban producer, and the Cuban rapper RDK to create a Free Mumia-themed song completely in Spanish?
Jamal Ibn Mumia: Yes. First, the language barrier was indeed an obstacle. So we found a couple interpreters. The producer La Hoya was very attentive as we went through a two-hour Free Mumia political education course on the facts of his frame-up by corrupted cops and officials, all of them having purposefully by-passed Arnold Beverly’s confession and blocked it out of the courts.
After quite some time, the facts became clear to both of them. La Hoya agreed that he and the rapper RDK would donate a full song to The Mumia Freedom Tour. And they did just that! A FREE MUMIA theme song was created on the spot within four hours. They both are very talented, and we are honored and humbled to accept their musical donation.
JR Valrey: I know that you are a chef. Did you get a chance to cook in Cuba? What was special about the occasion?
Jamal Ibn Mumia: Yes, I had to utilize my skills being a chef. Cuba has many challenges from economic and housing situations to the pain of daily life. Cooking full course cuisines with limited supplies, you tend to get very creative. The occasion was establishing a bridge of language, friendship, honor and respect for not only eating a healthy feast, but offering solidarity and support to the Cuban people.
To get more information, go to www.freedfromframeup.org.
JR Valrey is a veteran journalist who can be heard weekly on Wednesdays on 89.5FM KPOO or KPOO.com from noon to 3 p.m. His work can also be heard on www.blockreportradioworld.com.
