Brick by Brick Freedom Fund Press Release

One of the ten political prisoners behind the walls for whom we are raising funds is Mumia Abu Jamal, the inspiration behind the chant that inspired the name of our campaign: “Brick by brick, wall by wall, we gonna free Mumia Abu Jamal.” Mumia tells us that every prisoner is a political prisoner, having been subjected to the injustices of an oppressive social structure and the conditions which facilitate the incarceration of masses of Black people. Mumia teaches us that we must truly fight to free them all. In a recent press conference on November 16th, former professional football player and activist Colin Kaepernick stated, “We’re in the midst of a movement that says Black Lives Matter. If that is the case, then Mumia’s life and freedom must matter. Even while living in the hells of the prison system, Mumia still fights for our human rights. We must continue to fight for him and his human rights.” The Brick by Brick Freedom Fund reflects our commitment to free all political prisoners and to abolish prisons and all the carceral systems of white supremacy. Our effort to provide resources and support to those who are imprisoned and targeted because of their tireless sacrifices to our collective liberation is one way we do this.

Black Lives Matter Philly is proud to contribute $35,000 to the Brick by Brick Freedom Fund to jumpstart this campaign, as we join with fellow organizers to support Ant Smith, former and current political prisoners, and our broader revolutionary community. We invite you to join this effort to support political prisoners in the state of Pennsylvania, who have sacrificed their freedom for the cause of justice, and current freedom fighters by donating to and amplifying the Brick by Brick Freedom Fund. Direct financial donations can be made at the BLM Philly fundraising platform. Official Brick by Brick Fundraiser merchandise can be purchased at Teespring https://blm-philly.myteespring.co/ and all proceeds will go to the Freedom Fund campaign. Additional ways to support and partner with this campaign will be announced in the future.

Generations of Black freedom fighters have committed their lives to the struggle, and it is now our turn to support them in securing and sustaining their freedom. Executive director of the Abolitionist Law Center, Robert Saleem Holbrook states, “The very issues we are fighting for today on the streets, [political prisoners] were fighting for years ago — police violence, mass incarceration, civil and human rights violations. My question is when are we going to fight for them — Mumia Abu Jamal, Russell ‘Maroon’ Shoatz, Joseph Bowen? It’s time for them to come home.”