KPFA's Cat Brooks Calls Philly DA Krasner "Progressive" Despite Role On Mumia Abu-Jama

KPFA Cat Brooks Calls Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner "Progressive" Despite The Fact He Has Helped Kept Mumia In Jail For Life

KPFA celebrity programmer Cat Brooks is now doing damage control for Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner. She is now pushing Krasner as a "progressive" despite his role in keeping Mumia in prison for life. Why would Brooks cover up the role of Krasner and continue to push him and other Democrats who are supporting the militarization of the border and the attacks on immigrants, Palestinians and activists?

Cat Brooks on KPFA May 28, 2025
See her support for Krasney at 28.15
https://archives.kpfa.org/data/20250528-Wed0700.mp3

No State Execution By COVID! No Illusions in “Progressive” DA Larry Krasner!Click here for a PDF version of this statementINNOCENT & FRAMED – FREE MUMIA NOW!NO STATE EXECUTION BY COVID!NO ILLUSIONS IN “PROGRESSIVE” DA LARRY KRASNER!March 5 2021The movement to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal the most prominent political prisoner in the U.S.from the slow death of life imprisonment and the jaws of this racist and corrupt injustice system is at a critical juncture. The battle to free Mumia is as ferocious as it has ever been. We continue to face the unrelenting hostility to Mumia by this racist capitalist injustice system which is intent on silencing him by all means.Mumia is at immediate risk of death by COVID! Mumia has tested positive for COVID-19. The PADepartment of Corrections and officials at SCI Mahanoy at first denied this but then needed tohospitalize Mumia. He is now in the prison infirmary. Mumia’s life is on the line. He is almost67 years old his immune system is compromised because of liver cirrhosis from years ofuntreated hepatitis-C. It is also reported that Mumia now has congestive heart failure!An international campaign succeeded in getting a judicial order that Mumia was deprived ofessential health care and be treated with life-saving Harvoni treatment. That has compelled theDOC to provide the medication to Mumia and other prisoners infected with hep-C.The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) said it best “The refusalof health-care reminds us of the conditions we were put in under Apartheid prisons wheresick detainees were allowed to die in very deplorable lonely conditions in solitary as partof the punishment for their role in the struggle.”We in the Free Mumia movement call on all to ACT NOW! Mumia must not die in prison fromCOVID! He should be released now!

Demand: Mumia Abu-Jamal Must be Released from Prison!
No State Execution by Covid!
Prisoners 50 Years and Older Should also be Released from Prison to Protect them fromCovid 19!
Mumia’s life was saved from legal lynching of state execution in 1995 and 1999 by the power ofmass international mobilization and protest which included representatives of millions ofunionized workers. Human and civil rights organizations labor unions and students wonMumia’s release from death row in 2012 and his medical treatment for deadly Hep-C in2017. Now we need to do the same to save his life from COVID-19.We also must face the latest obstacle in Mumia’s pending legal appeal.In the prosecution Response to Mumia’s appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court filedFebruary 3 2021 “progressive” District Attorney Larry Krasner rubber stamps the lyingracially biased politically motivated and corrupt conviction of Mumia for the murder of P.O.Daniel Faulkner on December 9 1981 under hanging judge Albert Sabo who promised “I’mgoing to help them fry the nigger.”For decades Mumia fought racist and corrupt prosecutors in Pennsylvania state court and theU.S. federal court. “Progressive” Philadelphia D.A. Larry Krasner joined their ranks in filing theprosecution legal brief to the Pennsylvania Superior Court stating that Mumia is guilty andshould remain imprisoned for life.There is a moment of opportunity to deepen the struggle for Mumia’s freedom. Politicalconsciousness about the systemic racism of the U.S. injustice system and policing has reached ahigh level not seen in 50 years accelerated by the police murders of George Floyd BreonnaTaylor and so many others and the massive protests that followed. Mumia’s name has beeninjected into struggles around Black Lives Matter the pandemic and the economiccrisis. Notably Colin Kaepernick has called for Mumia’s freedom.There is also a new danger. Nationally and in Philadelphia there is a rise in the illusions of the“progressive district attorney” who will upend the entrenched repressive racially and class biased [in]justice system which is integral to capitalism and rooted in the legacy of slavery.A new legal path to Mumia’s freedom was opened by the historic ruling in December 2018 fromPhiladelphia Court Judge Leon Tucker the first Black jurist to review Mumia’s case. JudgeTucker granted Mumia the right to file a new appeal of all the evidence of judicial prosecutorialand police misconduct that had been rejected by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 1998-2012. That evidence was proof that Mumia is factually innocent and framed and is legallyentitled to dismissal of the charges against him or at least a new trial.“Progressive” DA Larry Krasner blocked that path with the prosecution’s legal Response toMumia’s new appeal to the PA Superior Court on February 3 2021. Krasner opposes Mumiagetting a new trial—let alone a dismissal of the charges. And Krasner calls for the appeals courtto dismiss Mumia’s appeal without even considering the facts and law. Krasner follows exactlythe script of the notorious pro-cop racist prosecutors who preceded him notably EdwardRendell Lynne Abraham—called “one of America’s deadliest DAs” —and Ronald Castillewhose pro-cop pro-prosecution and pro-death penalty bias became the grounds opening upMumia’s right to file this new appeal.The Krasner Response begins with the same lying “statement of facts” of the case that has beenused since Mumia’s 1982 frame-up trial by District Attorney Edward Rendell. Krasner insiststhat Mumia’s appeal should be dismissed without considering the merits because it was “nottimely filed.” This makes clear the falsity of Krasner’s purported withdrawal of his objection toMumia’s new right of appeal granted by Judge Tucker.Krasner also denies that the newly disclosed evidence of state misconduct—“Brady claims”—from the six hidden boxes of Mumia’s prosecution files found two years ago in a DA storeroomare “material” and grounds for a new trial. This is legal jargon for saying the evidence againstMumia at trial was so overwhelming that it wouldn’t have made a difference to the jury thatconvicted him of first degree murder and sentenced him to death. Krasner’s Response on the new evidence that the trial prosecutor purposely disqualified African-Americans as jurors is that the Pa Supreme Court has previously decided the jury selection process was fair and should not be re-examined.As District Attorney Krasner had the legal authority and responsibility to review Mumia’s caseand as constitutionally warranted to support overturning Mumia’s conviction because of dueprocess violations and state misconduct. Those due process violations included:*trial and post-conviction judge Sabo was biased and racist*African-Americans were excluded from juries as a policy and practice of the Philadelphia DA’soffice*police and prosecutorial misconduct in presenting false witness testimony that Mumia shotFaulkner a fabricated confession and a manufactured scenario of Mumia shooting PO Faulknerwhich is disproved by ballistics medical and other forensic evidence including photographs ofthe crime scene and*the suppression of witnesses who swore that Mumia did not shoot PO Faulkner that a shooterran away and the confession to fatally shooting Faulkner.But “progressive” DA Krasner argued these factors should not even be considered.DA Krasner’s Response brief ends with: “For the foregoing reasons including those set forth inthe PCRA court’s opinions the Commonwealth respectfully requests that this Court affirm theorders denying post-conviction relief.” This means District Attorney Krasner approved allprevious court denials of Mumia’s challenges to his convictions made from 1995-2012including those of Judge Sabo.This Response is the definitive final statement of District Attorney Larry Krasner to the Superiorand Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania. And should Mumia’s case return to the U.S. federal courts this would remain the prosecution position: that Mumia is guilty and there are no legal or factual reasons to re-consider his conviction.Once there has been a conviction and sentence the District Attorney does not have unilateralauthority or power to reverse a criminal conviction order a new trial or dismiss the originalcharges. That decision rests the post-conviction review judge or appeals court.The District Attorney does have enormous authority and credibility to argue to the courts that acase should be reversed a new trial granted or charges dismissed. The opinion of the districtattorney’s office is a persuasive authority to the reviewing court. And it was that process whichresulted in overturning the convictions of 18 imprisoned men during the past three years. Those publicized reversals as well as Krasner’s promises of criminal justice reform his “no objection” to releasing on parole the surviving imprisoned MOVE 9 men and woman his partial ban of cash bail and de-escalation of arrests for minor non-violent offenses and his record as a civil rights lawyer gave him credentials as a “progressive DA”.Krasner’s Response to Mumia’s appeal is an undeniable legal blow and has most likely blockedthe judicial path to Mumia’s freedom.To any who held out hope that Krasner would “do the right thing” Krasner has never given anyindication that he questioned Mumia’s conviction even when—after protest and pressure—heagreed not to oppose the appeal process.In fact “progressive DA” Krasner was explicit when questioned during the proceedings broughtby Maureen Faulkner to have him removed from Mumia’s case on grounds he was biased infavor of Mumia. Krasner was allowed to continue prosecuting Mumia in the Supreme Courtruling on December 16 2020. During those proceedings Larry Krasner assured theinvestigating judge that “in my opinion based upon all the facts in law [sic] that I have is that he[Abu-Jamal] is guilty.” Further the investigating judge found all prosecutors involvedincluding DA Krasner stated “it is their intention to defend the conviction and that they areaware of no evidence that would support or justify a decision to the contrary or to concede anyPCRA relief.”It is precisely because Larry Krasner has a profile and reputation as “a progressive DA” andfaces hostility from the Fraternal Order of Police and supporters of racist “law and order” whowill be supporting anti-Krasner candidates in this year’s DA election that his total rejection ofMumia’s claim is so damaging.The rejection of Mumia’s appeals by this “progressive DA” is not just equal to those of priorDAs but is more damaging. The position of the “progressive DA” in opposition to Mumia’sappeal provides additional rationale and justification for the appeals courts to reject Mumia’sappeals.Krasner must be uncompromisingly exposed and denounced as not different from Judge Saboand prior prosecutors. Mumia’s prosecution his conviction death sentence and appeal denialsare an indictment of the entire racist capitalist injustice system. Opening up Mumia’s caseexposes the racism rot corruption brutality and fundamental injustice of the whole system.“Progressive” district attorney Larry Krasner would not and cannot go down that road and keepfavor with the elements of the ruling class that seek to provide a “progressive” cover to delay and distract those who fight not only for Mumia but for justice for all.What is to be done to free Mumia? Continue to mobilize protest action demanding theDepartment of Corrections and Governor immediately release Mumia – along with prisoners 50years and older to stop death by covid. In Pennsylvania the governor has the executive power to commute sentences and release prisoners who are serving life without parole.We must expand the international campaign for Mumia’s freedom centered on theunderstanding that Mumia is factually innocent and framed that he never should have beenarrested and prosecuted for a murder the state knows he did not commit. Internationalmobilization has been critical to our prior limited victories. Now more than ever we need togrow in strength and numbers Mumia’s defenders including labor Black Lives Matter humanrights and civil rights organizations and left organizations in rallies and mass demonstrations.Rachel Wolkenstein (former attorney for Mumia Abu-Jamal)and for the Labor Action Committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal: Jack Heyman (International Longshore and
Warehouse Union-retired) Bob Mandel (Oakland Education Associationretired,
member of Adult School Teachers United) Carole Seligman (Coeditor
of Socialist Viewpoint)This entry was posted in Mumia's Medical Mistreatment Recent News Statements and Articles on March 5 2021.


https://whyy.org/articles/krasners-stance-on-mumia-wont-cost-him-re-election-but-it-will-stain-his-reputation-as-a-reformer/

D​.​A. Larry Krasner Drop The Case Against Mumia
https://www.change.org/p/d-a-larry-krasner-drop-the-case-against-mumia-abu-jamal
D​.​A. Larry Krasner Drop The Case Against Mumia Abu-Jamal
April 19 2024District Attorney Larry KrasnerThree South Penn SquarePhiladelphia PA 19107-3499Dear D.A. Krasner: This year marks the 41st anniversary of Mumia Abu-Jamal's fraudulent first-degree murder conviction. As you are aware his case is one of the most notable cases in Philadelphia's recent history. Most if not all of the voters who elected you would support the D.A.'s office dropping the case against Mumia Abu-Jamal. Thankfully your Conviction Integrity Unit CIU has led to the release of over 44 wrongfully incarcerated people but Mumia should have been among them. There is not a shred of valid evidence that Mr. Jamal is guilty of murder therefore it is time to uphold justice by dropping the case against him now. He has already served over 40 years despite new evidence proving his innocence. As you are aware Mumia is an award-winning journalist then and now recognized by Columbia's University Major Armstrong Award in 1981for his coverage of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Philadelphia. How many journalists become cop killers overnight? Answer – None! In 1979 prior to Mr. Jamal's trial the U.S. Department of Justice filed an unprecedented lawsuit against Philadelphia’s mayor Frank Rizzo and 18 top city and police officials. They concluded the Police Department’s behavior which included shooting nonviolent suspects abusing handcuffed prisoners and tampering with evidence “shocks the conscience.” The officers who arrested and brutalized Mumia on December 9 1981 came from the Central Division which was under federal investigation for police corruption at the time of Officer Faulkner's death. It is likely that Mr. Jamal was one of those victims due to his unrelenting reporting on rampant police brutality against Black and Brown people his support for MOVE who are home now and his past membership in the Black Panther Party. As a result of the federal investigation over one-third of the 35 officers involved in Mumia's case including the top officer at the crime scene Inspector Alfonso Giordano were subsequently convicted of rank corruption extortion and tampering with evidence to obtain convictions. Giordano was a former captain of the so-called civil defense unit of the Philadelphia Police “red squad” that for years harassed the Black Panthers and other radical groups. Giordano a long time favorite and confidante of former police chief and Mayor Frank Rizzo claimed he heard Mr. Jamal confess to the crime in the ambulance. However Giordano’s report was never admitted in court because he resigned after learning he was under federal investigation for bribery and extortion. Several years later he pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax evasion relating to $55000 in income gained from extortion. Dr. Anthony Coletta the emergency room physician who attempted to save Faulkner and treated Mr. Jamal categorically stated that Abu-Jamal was about to go into shock from blood loss. He suffered internal bleeding his lungs were full of blood and could not have shouted out anything. “I can't say what happened outside the medical emergency room but from the moment he came through the hospital doors into the emergency room I was with him and he said nothing” said Coletta. In the official police report Officer Gary Wakshul wrote “The negro male made no comment.” Documentary evidence discovered approximately three years ago indicates that two key witnesses were bribed to testify against Mr. Jamal. Cynthia White a prostitute with many pending criminal cases against her testified in court that she witnessed Abu-Jamal shoot Officer Faulkner. We now know Assistant District Attorney Joseph McGill arranged to have all her pending cases suddenly dropped after her testimony. We also know that McGill tracked the race of all potential jurors writing W for White and B for Black next to their names which is a Batson violation. Robert Chobert another so-called eyewitness claimed he saw Abu-Jamal shoot Officer Faulkner at point-blank range. However Chobert had a pending criminal case against him for tossing a Molotov cocktail inside a school yard and driving without a license. The recently discovered documents reveal that Chobert wrote a note to ADA McGill asking “Where is my money?” Clearly this previously unrevealed information is a Brady violation. The Polakoff photos taken the night of the crime clearly show Chobert’s cab was nowhere near the crime scene. These same photos show Faulkner's hat on the passenger side of the VW Billy Cook (Mumia's brother) was driving that night indicating there was a fourth person at the crime scene that the jury never heard about during the original 1982 trial. Officer Faulkner also had a driver's license application in his shirt pocket. The photos also show cops mishandling evidence. Mumia never confessed to the crime nor did he commit it. The FBI 7000-page redacted file notes “The negro male showed no propensity toward violence.” Moreover a courtroom stenographer overheard the original trial judge Albert Sabo telling another judge Richard Klein “I'm gonna help them fry the nigger.” There is no physical evidence to tie Mumia to the death of Officer Daniel Faulkner. Although Mumia was a veteran Black Panther accused of murdering a cop the police claimed unbelievably that no gunpowder residue test was done on Mumia's hands or his registered 38 pistol. By some miracle and self-determination Mumia Abu-Jamal has resisted letting the time do him writing thousands of radio commentaries for Prisonradio.org writing 12 books to date in America’s modern-day gulag/prison. The evidence of Mumia's innocence is overwhelming. His case mirrors 95% of the wrongful convictions. Now is the time to drop the case against Mumia Ab-Jamal. Thank you for your time and consideration.
CordiallyGwendolyn Debrow