Political prisoners are people who fought for us. We could have been them. They are us. They represent the best of what we have done, could have done, or should have done in our lifetimes. When we honor them, we honor all of humanity. (Recording from the I Hate Wal-mart album, 1998.)
I heard about civil rights down in the South
I could not keep my mind on my program
I had to use my heart and my mouth
I lived in Harlem, I was Black Panther
I looked for answers for my people
I am not famous, I’m not Mandela
But I am imprisoned in a jail
My name is Sundiata Acoli
And my soul is not for sale
They call me terrorist for conspiring
Against the government and companies
Who strip mine, pollute and destroy
In Puerto Rico they do as they please
They like to talk about freedom fighters
But not in their own back yard
They took my sister and me, we’re doin 83
And there will be no bail
My name is Ida Luz Rodriguez
And my country’s not for sale
Down at the market, no one talks about it
On the TV you won’t see this tale, but
If you can see me, then they must free me
So won’t you please lift up the veil
Driving cab is a good way to pay the rent
For a journalist who tells the truth
They been after me since I been after them
No I did not waste my youth
In Philadelphia, police won’t help ya
Except to beat you to the punch
They beat my brother, there was another
Shot the policeman, but I’m doin the time
My name is Mumia Abu-Jamal
And the system is the crime
Once proud nations reduced to reservations
Government goons come to terrorize
We had a duty to defend our family
From corruption, guns and lies
The FBI came, they played that old game
Divide and conquer to maintain their power
I am not famous, I’m not Mandela
But I am imprisoned in a jail
My name is Leonard, Leonard Peltier
And this land is not for sale
Down at the market, no one talks about it
On the TV you won’t see this tale, but
If you can see me, then they must free me
So won’t you please lift up the veil