Death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal delivered yet another recorded address to graduating college seniors, this one at Occidental College near Los Angeles. Unlike his previous year's address at Antioch College, this one drew no protests, perhaps because Antioch is much closer to Pennsylvania, where he murdered Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1982.

"I think he has a message that fits perfectly with [Occidental]—radicalism, justice, activism," commented Bre Fahs, a 21-year-old senior who led the effort to have Abu-Jamal speak. "This is a college that's quite committed to the free expression of ideas," said Occidental College President Theodore Mitchell. "So I'm pleased that we are able to provide a venue for Mumia to speak."

"Had I known this was going on I would have gone down there and held up a picture of Danny," said the slain policeman's widow, Maureen Faulkner. "He was in college when he was murdered and he never got a chance to graduate." Not being allowed a rebuttal at past commencement ceremonies, Ms. Faulkner has held up pictures of her slain husband in silent vigils. She moved to southern California to put behind memories of her husband's murder, but California has over the years proven to be a hotbed of pro-Mumia activism.

[Ed.: After Abu-Jamal's call for a new trial was rejected the following December, the Paris City Council voted to make him an honorary citizen. Ms. Faulkner is probably racking up some serious frequent-flyer miles. His death sentence was eventually overturned, and he will get another sentencing hearing.]

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