“It is offensive and callous to have a street named in honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a man found guilty of murdering a police officer in cold blood. This is an outrage to the memory of Officer Daniel Faulkner and to his family and loved ones,” said Rep. Schwartz.

Schwartz sent a letter to the mayor of Saint-Denis, Didier Paillard, calling upon him to rename the street. Schwartz also sent a copy of the letter to the French Ambassador to the United States, Jean-David Levitte.

A copy of the letter Rep. Schwartz sent follows below.

Monsieur Didier Paillard

Maire de Saint-Denis

Monsieur le Maire

BP 269-93205 Saint-Denis Cedex

France

Dear Mayor Didier Paillard:

I am writing to express my strongest objection to the recent dedication of Rue Mumia Abu-Jamal in the city of Saint-Denis.  As you are well aware, an honorary street naming is typically reserved for individuals who make a positive contribution to society.  In December 1981, Mumia Abu-Jamal, the man for whom you bestowed this honor, murdered a young Philadelphia Police Officer, Daniel Faulkner, in cold blood.  Mr. Jamal was convicted of this crime in 1982 and is currently serving the sentence of life in prison.

As a Member of the United States Congress and a representative of the City of Philadelphia, I am proud to represent many brave police officers who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect our communities.  Daniel Faulkner was one such police officer who paid the ultimate price for his service to our city and our nation.  He was a loving husband, an active church parishioner, and a respected member of his Philadelphia community.  Officer Faulkner deserves the deepest respect and his family deserves the most sincere sympathies – sentiments that I hope you share. 

While I recognize that Mr. Jamal’s case has become a cause célèbre for some activists, both in your country and mine, Mr. Jamal was found guilty of the murder of Officer Daniel Faulkner.  To name a street for a convicted murderer is at best inappropriate.  At worst, it is an insult to Daniel Faulkner’s memory, to his family, and to all of us who stand for the rule of law.  It is my hope that you will recognize the highly offensive nature of naming a street in honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal and consider an alternative name.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Allyson Y. Schwartz

Member of Congress

CC:  His Excellency Jean-David Levitte, French Ambassador to the United States

####