Mumia Abu-Jamal, who's serving a life term for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer, is among the plaintiffs asking a federal judge to block a Pennsylvania law they say violates prisoners' free-speech rights.
Arguments on a pair of lawsuits seeking preliminary injunctions to stop the law's enforcement will be heard Thursday by U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner in Harrisburg.
The law allows victims of violent crimes to take legal action against offenders whose conduct perpetuates their mental anguish.
Lawmakers passed the bill after a prerecorded speech by Abu-Jamal was played before graduates of Vermont's Goddard College last October. He claims he's the victim of a racist justice system.
Plaintiffs in both lawsuits contend the law unconstitutionally restricts the rights of prisoners and those who work with them.
