The Beastie Boys and Rage Against the Machine will take the stage January 28 in New Jersey to perform at a benefit concert for death row inmate Mumia Abu Jamal.
Mumia, an African-American political activist and former journalist, was convicted in 1981 of killing a Philadelphia policeman, and subsequently sentenced to death. Since his trial, he has amassed a number of supporters who are calling for a new trial. Mumia has been in prison while his case is on appeal.
"Mumia's trial was a gross miscarriage of justice. Just unbelievable," Rage guitarist Tom Morello said in a written statement. "'Highlights' included prosecutorial misconduct, intimidation of witnesses by the police, suppression of evidence of Mumia's innocence, a jury illegally purged of African Americans, a hostile, racist judge and a prosecution who argued for the death penalty based on Abu-Jamal's political beliefs! Mumia is an outspoken revolutionary, a hero to millions around the world and we will not allow his voice to be silenced. We join with Amnesty International in demanding a new trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal. This is no ordinary show. We are playing for a man's life."
Rage is headlining the show (set for East Rutherford's Continental Airlines Arena) with the Beasties billed as "special guests," and punk journeymen Bad Religion opening the concert. Organizers are promising more special guests to be announced soon. Tickets for the show go on sale this Thursday, January 14.
In related news, Rage frontman Zack De La Rocha also contributed to the posse cut, tentatively titled "Ready For Action" that will appear on an album called "Unbound." A portion of the proceeds of the album will benefit Abu-Jamal's defense fund.
Public Enemy MC Chuck D, Black Thought from the Roots, and members of the Pharcyde are among the 20 emcees that appear on the track, which will be released in the coming weeks.
