Abu-Jamal Supporters Rally in Philadelphia

Several hundred supporters of death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal rallied Saturday for his release, marking the 20-year anniversary of the shooting of a police officer.

Seven protesters were arrested and accused of rioting and assaulting police officers as they marched through the streets. Two officers and two demonstrators were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police said.

Carrying signs and chanting “Brick by brick, wall by wall, we are going to free Mumia Abu-Jamal,” the 250 demonstrators proclaimed Abu-Jamal’s innocence and demanded his release.

Following their rally at City Hall, demonstrators marched to the site of Faulkner’s shooting. A confrontation later broke out with police, authorities said.

In a separate rally Sunday, exactly 20 years after the shooting death of Daniel Faulkner, supporters of the slain police officer planned to dedicate a plaque in Faulkner’s honor at the site of the shooting.

Members of Justice for Police Officer Daniel Faulkner say Abu-Jamal is an unrepentant, convicted cop-killer who deserves to die.

Abu-Jamal, who claims he was shot by police as he ran to the scene and then was beaten, has maintained his innocence.

In the predawn hours of Dec. 9, 1981, Faulkner had pulled over Abu-Jamal’s brother and a scuffle ensued. Prosecutors say Abu-Jamal ran to the scene, shooting Faulkner in the back.

Faulkner then shot Abu-Jamal in the abdomen and fell. Prosecutors say Abu-Jamal shot Faulkner in the face.

The following year, a jury convicted Abu-Jamal, an award-winning radio journalist and former Black Panther, and sentenced him to death.

Abu-Jamal has argued that his former lawyers did a poor job and that he has new evidence that could clear him. His federal appeal is pending.

Celebrities, death penalty opponents and foreign politicians have rallied to Abu-Jamal’s cause, calling him a political prisoner who was railroaded by a racist justice system.

Student Marina Rajewsky acted as a translator for several other French activists who met with Abu-Jamal in his jail cell on Friday.

“He was very aware of the support he has outside and is encouraged by it,” she said.