Imprisoned Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal turned 60 years old on Thursday. He has spent more than three decades in prison, much of it on death row until his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2012. He was convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer, but maintains he is innocent of the charges. Human rights groups have pointed to racial bias that pervaded the trial, and have long called for a new trial. Abu-Jamal thanked his supporters in a birthday recording made from prison.

Mumia Abu-Jamal: “I breathe today because you fought for my breath. The state hates you and attacks you because you fought for me, with me every step of the way. I’m humbled by your support and energized by it. Struggles like this prove the possible and we are not done.”

Abu-Jamal’s supporters are holding a “Celebration of Life” festival in Philadelphia Saturday to celebrate his 60th birthday.