Author Archives: Family and Friends

‘Dope is Death’ showing at Black Health’s “What Is Normal” Film Series in Harlem – May 20, 2023

The “What is Normal” film series, May 18th – May 20th at Harlem’s historic AMC Magic Johnson Theater, 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd., is a celebration of community and mental wellness focused on education and advocacy. It is three days of interactive experiences featuring compelling and thought-provoking films, conversations with expert panelists, tangible resources and information for the next steps in mental wellness, maternal health and substance treatment within Black communities.

Day Three, Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10 am – 6 pm “We Have The Power: Stories of Communities Rising“ is a full day of activities. From 10 am-2 pm, the Black Mental Wellness Resource Hub offers music, dance, song, hands-on activities, and skills for maintaining mental wellness. A 24-hour listening session will provide opportunities for sharing and releasing.

From 3-6 pm, there’s a special viewing of the documentary, “Dope is Death”, the truly inspiring story of the historic action of healthcare providers and community members in NYC to provide addiction treatment to East Harlem’s communities of color. A discussion of how we can learn from this influential movement with the Director, Mia Donovan and a panel of experts concludes the program.

The series and all activities are free, to register to go to Eventbrite.

Mumia Abu-Jamal calls on the people to ‘Support Dr. Mutulu Shakur’

Today, Dr. Mutulu Shakur is free. But after decades in federal prisons, he now needs your help to pull his life together. Support Dr. Mutulu Shakur. For more information, go to mutulushakur.com.

Mumia Abu-Jamal

Listen to the recording of Mumia reading his full May 1, 2023 statement supporting Dr. Shakur at Prison Radio. Like Mutulu, Mumia is a Black liberation elder with severe health issues who has been subject to unjust prison conditions for far too long. Join in on the campaign to Bring Mumia Home!

Announcing Dr. Shakur’s First In-Person Los Angeles Event at UCLA on February 27, 2023 – 5-7 pm PST

Please join us for an evening of celebration to welcome Dr. Mutulu Shakur home!

TICKETS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY! Reserve yours via Eventbrite.


On December 16th, 2022, Dr. Mutulu Shakur was released on parole after serving 37 years in prison. Dr. Shakur participated in civil rights, Black liberation, harm reduction acupuncture and healthcare movements from the late 1960s to the 1980s. The acts of which he was convicted some thirty years ago were committed in the context of a movement seeking equal opportunities for Black people who, it is widely conceded, were suffering catastrophically from disenfranchisement, segregation, poverty and exclusion from many of the fundamental necessities that make life worth living. The decision to grant parole is based on federal law guidelines for “old law” prisoners, finding that Dr. Shakur poses no threat to the community, taking into consideration his exemplary conduct in prison, his medical condition and how much time he has served. He has taken full responsibility for his actions, served as a force for good and anti-violence throughout his decades of incarceration as an elder with multiple health complications. This victory was secured by the steadfast support of his legal team, his family and his community.


Co-sponsors: Afrikan Student Union, Allied Community Arts Brigade, Campus Programs Committee of the Program Activities Board, Dr. Robin Kelley, Institute on Inequality and Democracy, UCLA Law Criminal Justice Program, UCLA Center for Justice/Prison Ed Program, Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance

Webinar Series on Souls Journal Starts Monday, February 20th!

Join the Family & Friends of Dr. Mutulu Shakur for a series of webinar conversations on the life and legacy of our beloved revolutionary healer and human rights organizer. The series will center around the Souls journal special issue: “Free the Land, Free the People: The Political Significance of Dr. Shakur’s Legacy” (FREE ACCESS to articles until 2/28).


Part 1 of the webinar series, “Straight Ahead: The Life of Resistance of Dr. Mutulu Shakur,” on February 20th at 7PM EST l 4PM PST, will feature a conversation on Dr. Shakur’s life of resistance and activism — primarily prior to his capture in 1986. This webinar will be moderated by Professor Akinyele Umoja. REGISTER HERE

Save the Dates for the Upcoming Webinars:
Part 2: Cointelpro and International Law on Thursday, March 9th 7:00 PM EST | 4PM PSTREGISTER HERE
Part 3: Dr. Mutulu Shakur Revolutionary Healer on Thursday, March 16th 7:00 PM EST | 4PM PSTREGISTER HERE
Part 4: What’s the future? Where do We go from here? on Wednesday, March 29th 7:00 PM EST | 4PM PST


Click here for free access to the journal issue: “Free the Land, Free the People: The Political Significance of Dr. Shakur’s Legacy”

Souls Journal on Mutulu Shakur Released Online

For a limited time, the full text of the Souls Journal volume on Mutulu Shakur (“Free the Land, Free the People: The Political Significance of Dr. Shakur’s Legacy) is available online. Print copies will be available soon and stay tuned for seminars and events in the coming months!

Table of Contents:

Guest Editors’ Note by Akinyele Umoja & Susan Rosenberg

Straight Ahead: The Life of Resistance of Dr. Mutulu Shakur by Akinyele Umoja

The Seed: History of the Original Acupuncture Detoxification Program at Lincoln Hospital by Mutulu Shakur & Urayoana Trinidad

The Struggle for International Political Recognition for New Afrikan/Black Freedom Fighters by Mutulu Shakur

Toward a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for New African/Black Political Prisoners, Prisoners of War and Freedom Fighters by Mutulu Shakur

To My Son Tupac by Mutulu Shakur

Revolutionary Doctor, Revolutionary Lawyer by Rukia Lumumba

Who Is a Prisoner of War? Mutulu Shakur and the Struggle for Black Liberation by Natsu Taylor Saito

COINTELPRO Continues: Dr. Mutulu Shakur by Susan Rosenberg & Linda Evans

“Non-Recognition of the Law Does Not Invalidate It”: The Status of BLA and Provisional IRA Prisoners by Ward Churchill

Interview with Formerly Incarcerated Men about Dr. Shakur’s Impact by J. Jondhi Harrell, Cedric Lines, Leo Sullivan & Mshairi Siyanda

Dr. Mutulu Shakur and the Holistic Healing of Acupuncture and Political Education: A Review of Dope is Death by Asantewa Sunni-Ali

Afterword

Mutulu is Home with Family!

Today, the morning of December 16th, 2022, Dr. Mutulu Shakur was released from prison on parole! The decision to grant parole is based on federal law guidelines for “old law” prisoners, finding that Dr. Shakur poses no threat to the community, taking into consideration his exemplary conduct in prison, his medical condition and how much time he has served. Mutulu is now with his family. This victory was secured by the steadfast support of his legal team, his family and his community comprised of all of you.

Family & Friends of Mutulu Shakur (FFMS) is greatly appreciative of everyone’s support over the course of Mutulu’s decades in prison. We ask that everyone respect Dr. Shakur’s privacy while he spends the holidays with his family and concentrates on his health and healing. Any inquiries to FFMS can be directed to [email protected], and we will be sure to release more information as it is available. May everyone celebrate the achievement of securing his release and deepen our commitment to a more just future.

See the Ways to Support page for the most up-to-date information on how you can reach out to and support Dr. Mutulu Shakur.