Democracy Now! January 29, 1999

Mumia Concert Stirs Outcry: Why? Despite angry criticism by the governor of NJ and law enforcement officials, supporters of Mumia Abu-Jamal held a sold-out benefit concert last night in East Rutherfor, NJ. the Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, Bad Religion, and Black Star headlined the concert, which was attended by about 16, 000 people. NJ Governor Christie Whitman, as well as State Attorney General Peter Verniero and State Police superintendent Carl Williams, denounced the show and urged concert goers to get refunds for their tickets. Mumia supporters are confused that a call for a fair trial should excite such rage. GUEST: Mark Taylor, Assoc. Prof. of Religion and Culture at Princeton and national coordinator for "Academics for Mumia Abu-Jamal". GUEST: Bob Mandell, adult education teacher and main organizer of a teach-in on Mumia in Oakland, CA that was cancelled by the school superintendent. GUEST: Bob Henelly, journalist for the Village Voice. Colombia Earthquake Rescue workers in Colombia continue today to search for survivors and victims of the powerful earthquake that struck on Monday. An estimated 2,000 people are still buried. GUEST: Astrid Villegas, Emergency Coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, who is at the site of the earthquake and has been organizing relief efforts there for the past few days. A Pocket Guide to Environmental Bad Guys As Congress continues to pass fast-track legislation, we take a look at the politics of the environment - which companies are lobbying the hardest for fast-track, and what individuals have tried the hardest to stop them. GUEST: Jim Ridgeway, co-author of BOOK: A POCKET GUIDE TO ENVIRONMENTAL BAD GUYS. GUEST: Jeffrey St. Clair, co-author of above mentioned book.