Mumia Abu-Jamal is a convicted murderer. He’s a cop killer. Plain and simple.
He was convicted of the murder of 25 year old Philadelphia police officer, Daniel Faulkner and that conviction has been upheld by a multitude of courts. Independent investigations not relying on crackpot conspiracy theories have concluded that Abu-Jamal’s guilty verdict was just and his sentence – life in prison – is fair.
Unfortunately, Abu-Jamal’s case became a cause celebre over the years. He spouted all kinds of craziness about his “unjust conviction” after he was convicted but again, various state and federal courts have all upheld his conviction.
In addition, various left wing celebrities – musicians and actors – have made it worse by idiotically taking up his cause and presenting him as some kind of martyr. It’s almost a given that “Free Mumia” signs will show up at any left of center march, rally or protest.
It’s one thing if a gaggle of brain dead hippies or left wing Hollywood simps want to take up for this dirtbag. But what is it with colleges (and their students) having this guy be a commencement speaker at their school?
A convicted cop killer spoke to a graduating class at a Vermont college Sunday despite outrage over his invitation, telling the students they should strive to make the world “better.”
Mumia Abu-Jamal spoke by video to 20 students receiving bachelor degrees from Goddard College in Plainfield. He earned a degree from the college in 1996.
“Think about the myriad of problems that beset this land and strive to make it better,” Abu-Jamal said in the video.
Abu-Jamal’s planned speech drew widespread outrage, including from his victim’s widow.
Maureen Faulkner, whose husband Daniel was gunned down by Abu-Jamal in 1981, told FoxNews.com last week she was shocked to learn of the selection.
“It’s not appropriate,” Faulkner said. “His freedom was taken away when he murdered a police officer in the line of duty. It seems like our justice system allows murderers to continue to have a voice over the public airwaves and at college commencement. It’s despicable.”
Granted, Goddard isn’t Harvard or Yale, but that’s not the point.
The man murdered a police officer.
And he’s telling young people to go out and make the world a better place?
I am not one who thinks people – even murderers – are beyond redemption. If you want to go big, think about Moses and/or Paul. But with redemption, comes regret for ones actions. And asking for forgiveness.
Abu-Jamal has never maintained his innocence. He has written two books and neither time did he write, “I am innocent. I did not kill Daniel Faulkner.” He has never publicly proclaimed his innocence. He has allowed others, who for some reason think he didn’t do it, to speak on his behalf.
Keep in mind however, there are people who think Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev are innocent patsies for the government and others who believe the Apollo moon landings were faked.
In situations such as this, it falls on the shoulders of the school officials to make better decisions. Allowing an unrepentant cop killer to deliver the commencement address, even for a graduating class of 1 is far too many.