The Associated Press Monday, Feb. 28, 2000; 11:10 a.m. EST
WASHINGTON –– Dozens of people were arrested outside the Supreme Court building today during a protest seeking a new trial for a former radio journalist sentenced to death for killing a Philadelphia police officer.
Supreme Court and city police officers led away protesters who sat in the street or jumped a barrier and went onto the plaza in front of the court building.
The demonstration came while the court took the bench to issue orders and hear arguments in cases. It was not known whether the justices knew of the protest.
John Riley of the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition said the demonstrators were opposing capital punishment and calling for a new trial for Abu-Jamal, whose jailhouse writings about the justice system attracted worldwide attention.
Abu-Jamal, a one-time Black Panther and radio journalist, was convicted of fatally shooting a Philadelphia police officer in 1981 after the officer stopped Abu-Jamal's brother for driving the wrong way down a city street.
The Supreme Court turned down an appeal by Abu-Jamal last October. He still could pursue a new round of appeals.
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