750 2 minutes read
World renowned political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal has contracted COVID-19. His life is in imminent danger, not only from the deadly illness, but from Pennsylvania prison officials known to deny prisoners effective and lifesaving medical treatment.
Mumia is particularly vulnerable. He is 66-years-old with underlying medical conditions. As such, his life is in acute danger if he is not provided with urgent hospital care. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections response thus far when prisoners contract COVID-19 is to lock them in solitary confinement.
This is not the first time Mumia has been subjected to medical neglect. When he contracted Hepatitis C around 2015, the DOC intentionally denied treatment. If left untreated, Hep C can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and death. Mumia was only able to access lifesaving antiviral medication after a two-year legal battle which resulted in a federal court order against the prison. By then, the disease
A Philadelphia man and self-described member of the right-wing extremist group the Proud Boys is facing criminal charges after prosecutors say he sent threatening messages to a woman on Twitter for a week.
Gun buyback event collects over 150 firearms Saturday in Philadelphia
Published
A gun buyback program Saturday in Philadelphia netted more than 150 firearms.
PHILADELPHIA - A gun buyback event Saturday in Philadelphia collected more than 150 firearms in exchange for grocery store gift cards, according to city officials.
The event was organized by the Philadelphia City Council, Philadelphia Police Department, the Fathers Day Rally Committee and two city churches. The cohort previously collaborated on two buyback events which yielded nearly 400 firearms.
Mayor Kenney, city leaders call for action against gun violence following shooting near SEPTA station last week
City of Philadelphia and state leaders want legislation to reduce gun violence. They met at the Olney Transportation Center Friday where eight people were shot last week.
WHYY
By
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw speaks at Olney Transportation Center, where a mass shooting occurred on Feb. 17, 2021. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Philadelphia officials and state lawmakers who represent the city joined local activists outside the Olney Transportation Center Friday to give an update on the Feb. 17 mass shooting there and demand tighter gun laws.
“The mass shooting at this very location in broad daylight is yet another tragic example of the vicious and unacceptable gun violence epidemic that is devastating our communities,” Mayor Jim Kenney said.
Shortly before 3 p.m. Feb. 17, eight people ages 17 to 70 were shot at the major SEPTA transit hub in North Philadelphia.