. . . On police and a concert

Tuesday, January 26, 1999

A Sunday editorial said the state police have to patrol the meadowlands benefit concert for a man who is on Death Row in Pennsylvania for killing a police officer.

Helen Skunca, Hackensack

It is deplorable that any amount of money will be spent on state police patrol for this farce in the name of free speech. Cancel this abomination; give the money to a community food bank or the Policemen's Benevolent Association. We are in big trouble when someone like Abu-Jamal has the right to a benefit concert but we as a state cannot legally stop it. The inevitable violence that will result from this concert is too frightening even to think about. That's good enough reason to cancel the show.

Don Holmes, Bergenfield

If they are holding a benefit concert for Mumia Abu-Jamal, a convicted cop killer, what's next? A bake sale for Charles Manson? Too bad Jeffrey Dahmer is gone; my car could use a wash.

Michael Massoni, Hackensack

I would agree that it's hard not to sympathize with the feelings of the police. However, although it may be hard for them to do, they have to realize that their position is to protect and to serve.

Once you allow the police the option of whom to protect, then they're no longer police; they're private security being vended out to the highest bidder. The best way to handle something like this when feelings are so high is say nothing. As soon as things get printed, you're going to attract people who might come to this event to accidentally on purpose bump into a policeman and create an incident so that people will say, "We told you this was going to happen."

To the Editor:

Governor Whitman, the FOP and the State Police fail to understand the real issue regarding Mumia Abu Jamal.� The Rage Against the Machine concert will benefit his legal defense, to which all Americans are entitled. Individuals accused of certain crimes, such as killing a police officer or child, are often viewed as having less rights, as monsters.� Instead of being treated as innocent until proven guilty, there is a lynch-mob mentality - "Let's string 'em up!"� Our laws and Constitution were written to protect just such individuals and ensure they receive an impartial trial and judgment.� Police officers and Governors alike are sworn to enforce and uphold these laws.� Unfortunately in this case they can't see the forest for the trees.

Many politicians often criticize today's youth as apathetic.� Yet when a group like Rage Against the Machine tries to motivate young people to become involved in political and social issues they are condemned by those same politicians.� Perhaps the benefit should be changed to something they support, like paying for an investigation of the President's sex life.

Matthew Bernick