After hearing some speakers, the 50 rally participants fanned out across the corners of Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue holding colorful signs and passed out leaflets explaining the case to people walking by and motorists stopped at the lights. They then marched around the campus of the University of Iowa chanting and passing out more leaflets.

Many of the participants in the rally were students from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. There were also several students from high schools in Des Moines and a grocery store worker visiting from Wisconsin. Residents in Iowa City and some workers from Des Moines also joined the action.

James Kosloske, 19, a grocery store worker and member of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in Silver Lake, Wisconsin, was visiting some friends in Des Moines when he heard about the rally. "This is my first rally and I feel pretty good about helping out a good cause," Kosloske said. "The lack of evidence against him is there, but they still don't want to give him a retrial."

The Grinnell Coalition in Defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal, an ad hoc committee in Des Moines, and some people from Iowa City organized the rally. Marianne MacKelbergh, a 22-year-old restaurant worker in Iowa City, was part of this effort. "Since I have lived here there have been several rallies, and this one is the biggest one I have seen yet," she commented.

Several speakers were featured at the rally, including Paul Ford of the Grinnell Coalition in Defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Jennifer Ponce of the Young Socialists in Des Moines, Sean Parson from Drake University, and Drew Chebuhar from Iowa City.

The ad hoc committee in Des Moines was formed following the signing of a death warrant for Abu-Jamal by Pennsylvania governor Thomas Ridge. The group has been meeting at Drake University. The first meeting took place October 20, with more than 40 people attending. University and high school students along with community activists and workers are planning a future action in Des Moines. Paul Ford announced at the rally that regional demonstrations have been called for Chicago, San Francisco, and Philadelphia on December 11.

The evening before, some rally participants attended a panel discussion titled "Free Mumia Abu-Jamal and end the death penalty" at the Militant Labor Forum in Des Moines.

Javier Aravena is a member of UFCW Local 1149 in Perry, Iowa. Jennifer Ponce is a member United Auto Workers Local 1672 in Des Moines.  
 
 
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