The California Teacher's Association still loves the Cop Killer

In a state that is bankrupt, was formerly known as the Golden State and is now the Iron Pyrite State, it's good to know the CTA knows what is important.

From its March 2011 Convention.

Resolution 19
Reaffirm support for death row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal

Whereas, Mumia Abu-Jamal’s 1982 trial in Philadelphia was characterized by illegal suppression of evidence, police coercion, illegal exclusion of black jurors, and unfair and unconstitutional rulings by the judge; and Whereas, the trial judge, Albert Sabo, has been quoted in a sworn statement to have vowed at the time of the trial to help the prosecution ‘fry the n-----;’ and

Whereas, subsequent appellate rulings have bent the law out of shape to sustain the guilty verdict of that trial; and Whereas, the appellate courts have also refused to consider strong evidence of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s innocence that has emerged continuously in the years subsequent to the trial; and

Whereas, the U.S. Supreme Court, in denying relief to Mumia Abu-Jamal, ignored key precedents such as its own ruling in Batson v Kentucky, which was supposed to prevent exclusion of jurors on the basis of race; and Whereas, Mumia Abu-Jamal still is incarcerated on Death Row while awaiting a decision from the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals that could remove a stay on his execution; and

Whereas, çl has for decades as a journalist fought courageously against racism and police brutality and for the human rights of all people and has taken strong stands in support of working people involved in labor struggles and in support of well-funded, quality, public education; and

Whereas, the continued unjust incarceration of Mumia Abu-Jamal represents a threat to the civil rights of all people; and Whereas, the CFT has at a previous Convention voiced its support for justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal; Therefore, be it resolved, that the California Federation of Teachers reaffirm its support and demand that the courts consider the evidence of innocence of Mumia Abu-Jamal; and

Be it further resolved, that the CFT introduce and advocate on behalf of a resolution at the 2012 AFT Convention reaffirming the AFT’s support for justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal should he not have been cleared of charges and released by that time.

Wesley Cook, who likes to use the name Mumia Abu-Jamal (but as far as I know never legally changed his name) has been convicted, his case reviewed multiple times, his death penalty re-afferent by the 3rd District US Court of Appeals and the US Supreme Court. He is guilty as the day is long and the only abuse of justice in this matter (other than the actual murder of Officer Daniel Faulkner) is the delay in his execution.

I wish the CTA would worry about teaching it's kids reading, writing and math and not waste it's time and money on a cause célèbre for liberals...