The protest will be tomorrow morning in front of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, where the court will be hearing oral arguments on whether Abu-Jamal should be executed, get life in prison or receive a new trial.

Kent State graduate Marquis Belton organized the trip. He said the protest is part of an international support movement for Abu-Jamal.

“The case of Mumia Abu-Jamal represents everything that’s wrong with the death penalty,” Belton said.

Ideally, Belton said he wants Abu-Jamal to be freed, but said he at least deserves a new trial because of evidence ignored by the prosecution. Belton said the bullets in Abu-Jamal’s gun did not match the bullets found in Faulkner’s body.

“I do believe Mumia is innocent – that he was wrongfully accused,” he said.

Belton said Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther, is very radical and is being punished for speaking out. He was also a journalist.

Sophomore history major Isaac Miller will be attending the protest. He said he’s going because he’s against the death penalty on principle.

“I’ve heard of his case before,” Miller said. “And I’ve realized he’s been unjustly imprisoned.”

Contact general assignment reporter Kiera Manion-Fischer at [email protected].