Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell is one of America’s most beloved symbols of freedom—on July 8, 1776, the ringing of the bell announced the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. Symbols, however, lose meaning when what they represent is proven false. America’s false fairness when it comes to race was exposed once again on July 3, 1999, at this symbol of freedom.

Activists descended on the Liberty Bell to point to the lack of justice for Mumia Abu Jamal, a former Black Panther and journalist, who sits on Pennsylvania’s death row. "July 4th is a false freedom. None of us are free until the least of us is free. We are here today to let real freedom ring," Mark Taylor, a theologian from Princeton University, who was arrested later that day, told The Final Call.

Nearly 100 demonstrators were arrested when they shut down access to the bell for several hours. Supporters charge police and prosecutorial misconduct led to Mr. Jamal’s conviction for the murder of a city police officer in 1982. Some witnesses who testified against Mr. Jamal have since said police coerced them to lie about what they saw.

His defenders also say Mr. Jamal has serious health problems and while they once simply called for a new trial, many want him released immediately.