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Press Conference–

Date: Fri., February 21, 2019,
Time: 10 am,
Location: Philadelphia Student Union,
501 South St.; Philadelphia, PA 19143
,

On Friday, February 21st, Eddie Africa, 69, one of the MOVE 9, was released from Phoenix prison in Pennsylvania–more than a decade after he became eligible for parole. Eddie and his lawyers will be at this press conference. Eddie is reunited with his mother, 90, four surviving children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The cases of Delbert and Chuck Africa, the two remaining members of the MOVE 9 still imprisoned will be discussed as well.

Filed Under: Eddie Africa

Free Delbert Africa

ONA MOVE 

Delbert Orr Africa #AM4985 was 32 years old when he was wrongfully imprisoned along with 8 other men & women. His “crime” was being a part of an organization against corrupt government, racism and the degradation of our people. He is now 73 years old, having served nearly 42 years for a crime none of them committed. He has been eligible for parole since 2008 but has continually been denied because of his political views.

Del has 8 codefendants. Two died in prison (Phil Africa and his wife, Merle), and five have been released from prison onto parole just between Fall 2018 and Spring 2019. It’s past the time that Delbert should be coming home from prison. Just like others from the MOVE 9 are thriving, so should Delbert Orr Africa have the same opportunity.

Our community has supported those who came home to excel and we are committed to doing the same for Del so that he can excel as well. From having one of his daughters murdered during the bombing of MOVE Headquarters by the government to having his eldest daughter battling breast cancer, it’s overdue for him to be with his family. 

Delbert Africa, famous for surviving extremely vicious Philly police assault.
Young Delbert

Filed Under: featured news, news Tagged With: Delbert Africa, parole, Philadelphia police, police brutality

Eddie Africa Paroled Fri., June 21st! Press Conf. June 27.

Early Friday morning joyous MOVE family and friends came to bring Eddie Africa home after 40 years of imprisonment.

Eddie Africa (rust colored shirt, third from left) is free! LLJA.

Press Conference
Thurs., June 27th
10 am
Philadelphia Student Union
501 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Now the fight remains to free the last two imprisoned MOVE members: Delbert and Chuck Africa. Send them cards of solidarity and love and stay tuned for more actions.

  • Free Delbert Africa
  • Free Chuck Africa

Filed Under: Eddie Africa, featured news

Janine and Janet Africa Are Free!

Mike Africa Jr.
Friday, May 24, 2019

For over 40 years, we have been immersed in a fight that has been long and arduous. But thanks to the support locally from the MOVE family following the teaching of John Africa, thanks to our supporters from all over the world, and our lawyers Brad Thomson and Bret Grote, we are two steps closer to freeing all of the MOVE 9. Thank you to everyone who has ever supported the freedom for the MOVE 9.

Free all political prisoners!!!
On the MOVE
LONG LIVE REVOLUTION
LONG LIVE JOHN AFRICA

#nevergiveup


Press Release from The Abolitionist Law Center and People’s Law Office

Janine Africa and Janet Africa are free!
Janine and Janet Africa are freed on parole

The Abolitionist Law Center and the People’s Law Office are proud to share that Janet Holloway Africa and Janine Phillips Africa of the MOVE 9 have been released from state custody after more than forty years of incarceration. Earlier this morning [May 24, 2019], the MOVE sisters were finally released on parole from SCI Cambridge Springs and are now with family and friends. The sisters have been battling for their freedom after being consistently denied parole for a decade despite an impeccable disciplinary record and extensive record of mentorship and community service during their time in prison.

Following their 2018 parole denial, attorneys from Abolitionist Law Center and People’s Law Office filed petitions for habeas corpus seeking their release from prison. The habeas petitions challenged their parole denials on the grounds that the decisions were arbitrary and lacking in any evidence that Janet or Janine presented a risk to public safety. Under pressure from litigation and with a court date for May 28 looming, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (board) granted Janet and Janine parole on May 14, 2019, just one day after the anniversary of the notorious May 13, 1985 bombing of the MOVE home.

“The release of Janet and Janine is a victory not only for them and their loved ones, but also for the MOVE Organization and the movement to free all political prisoners,” said attorney Brad Thomson of People’s Law Office. “Janet and Janine were excellent candidates for parole. They have been described by DOC staff as model prisoners and neither of them has had a single disciplinary incident in over twenty years. While in prison, they have participated in community fundraisers, and social programs, including training service dogs. They are remarkable women to deserve to be free.”

Like Debbie and Mike Africa, who were released last year, Janet and Janine are now able to experience holding their loved ones outside of prison walls for the first time in decades. The release of Janet and Janine after forty years is the culmination of the MOVE organization, public support, legal action, and policy changes.

Three other members of the MOVE 9 remain incarcerated (Chuck, Delbert and Eddie Africa), while two others (Merle Africa and Phil Africa) died in custody. Abolitionist Law Center and People’s Law Office represent Chuck, Delbert and Eddie in the struggle for their freedom. To support the fight, you may donate to the MOVE9 Legal Fund.

Press Contact: Mike Africa Jr., MikeAfricaJr [at] gmail.com
Brad Thomson bradjaythomson[at]gmail.com 773-297-9689

Filed Under: news Tagged With: Abolitionist Law Center, Janet Africa, Janine Africa, Mike Africa Jr

Celebrate Ramona on her birthday!

On Sat., June 8, 2019, there will be a Celebration and Tribute to Ramona Africa, on her birthday. We want to celebrate Ramona’s improving health, cancer-free status, that she is back home, and all the work and love she has and continues to give. Ramona will be attending!
On a Move,
The Move Family
LONG LIVE JOHN AFRICA FOREVER

Filed Under: event, Ramona Africa

Interview with Debbie Africa, Mike Africa Sr and Mike Africa Jr

February 26, 2019
Reprint from Global Research News Hour

“There are so many injustices in this system, man, about the things they do to people, the harm they cause to people. It’s not just MOVE that are treated horribly like this.” – Mike Africa Sr, MOVE 9 member interviewed

Global Research: It’s a pleasure to have you on our show, thank you so much for making the time to speak with our listeners

Mike Africa Sr: You got it, man! On a move!

Debbie Africa: On A Move!

Global Research: Debbie, Mike Sr, please, if you could, could you convey to our listeners the feelings that you experienced on having finally being released and being reunited with each other and with your kids and grandkids for the first time after 40 years behind prison walls?

Debbie Africa: Relief. I always tell the story that when I was first sent to prison in …1978, my oldest child was only 2 years, she wasn’t even 2 years old yet. And Michael Jr wasn’t born yet. So, I was pregnant with him. I had a two year old baby that I was holding when the raid took place, and she was taken from me. And – my daughter was taken from me.

And, without even realizing how long I felt so heavy, when I finally got released it was like a weight just came off of my heart, and that’s really all I can explain to you. As soon as I walked out that door, Michael Jr was there and the family was there – his wife, his children, which are my grandchildren, it was just like the weight was just lifted up off of my heart … it was just a really great feeling, to know that they finally, finally did something they were supposed to do. Release us.

Read (and hear) the rest of this interview: https://www.globalresearch.ca/black-history-trump-era-resistance-mumias-plight-and-freedom-for-the-move-9/5669694

Filed Under: Debbie Africa, Mike Africa Sr, news, philadelphia Tagged With: Debbie Africa, Global Research, Mike Africa Jr, Mike Africa Sr, reunited

Eddie Africa remains in Pennsylvania, but correspondance goes to Florida

Edward Africa
Eddie Africa

The State of Pennsylvania, out of all the other States in America, has taken draconian restrictions on mail. Prison authorities are opening legal mail and photocopying it in direct violation of the First Amendment. They are also doing so to personal mail. Now when you write Eddie Goodman Africa (#AM4974) you need to write to SCI Phoenix in St. Petersburg, Florida, which copies the mail and sends the copy to Eddie! There are lawsuits challenging the legality of these changes. In the meantime, send Eddie a card or letter so Eddie can have extra mail to make up for all the mail to him going to Pennsylvania that is not being delivered:
Edward Goodman Africa #AM4974
SCI Phoenix
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

Filed Under: news Tagged With: Edward Africa, Florida, SCI Phoenix, St. Petersburg

‘I’m ecstatic’: black liberation prisoner Mike Africa Sr released after 40 years

Reprinted from The Guardian
October 23, 2018
By Ed Pilkington

Member of the radical Philadelphia-based group Move 9, sentenced after violent confrontation with police in 1978, reunited with wife Debbie Africa and son Mike Jr

Move 9 prisoner Mike Africa Sr and his wife Debbie Africa reunited in Philadelphia after 40 years in prison. Photo: Tommy Oliver

 

Mike Africa Sr has become the second member of the Philadelphia-based group of black radicals known as the Move 9 to be released from prison, more than 40 years after they were arrested for the death of a police officer in one of the most dramatic shootouts of the black liberation era.

He was paroled from SCI Phoenix prison in Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning [October 23, 2018] to be reunited with his wife Debbie Africa, who was also let out on parole in June having been arrested alongside him at the climax of a police siege in 1978. They were joined by their son, Mike Africa Jr, who until Tuesday had never spent time with both parents in the same room.

“I’m ecstatic coming from where I was just a couple of hours ago,” Mike Sr told the Guardian, speaking from his son’s house outside Philadelphia. “I wasn’t convinced in my mind that this would happen until I walked out the prison gates.”

He said it was amazing to be reunited with his wife, who was held in separate women’s prisons for 40 years. “I missed her and I loved her. She’s been my girl since we were kids. That’s never wavered at all.”

Debbie Africa said she was overwhelmed to have her family back.

Mike Africa Sr’s release marks a big step in the struggle of black militants who are still behind bars decades after they were arrested for police killings and other violent acts in the late 1960s and 1970s. The Guardian highlighted their plight in July.

Eighteen individuals, including two Move women, Janine Phillips Africa, and Janet Hollaway Africa, remain in prison. Many of them insist they are innocent of the charges brought against them.

In the case of the Move 9, they were convicted collectively of the death of a police officer, James Ramp, in the 1978 siege of their group home in Philadelphia even though only one shot killed him. Debbie Africa was eight months pregnant at the time.

Mike Africa Sr’s parole is of even greater consequence for his family, and especially for his son Mike Africa Jr, who for 40 years has never seen both of his parents together or out of prison. He was born in a cell where his mother Debbie gave birth to him a month after she and her husband were arrested during the siege.

For three days Debbie kept her baby son concealed in the cell, hiding him under the covers, until she was forced to hand him over to prison guards. With both parents imprisoned until the eve of his 40th birthday, Mike Jr effectively became an orphan of the black liberation struggle.

He was raised by relatives and other members of Move and now lives with a family of his own outside Philadelphia.

“I’m having an out-of-body experience right now,” Mike Jr told the Guardian as he drove his father back to his home to be reunited with Debbie. “I’m floating over the top of the car.”

He said that this was what he had waiting for more than four decades – to be together for the first time with both his parents. “I’ve always hoped for this, but I never knew that it would happen,” he said.

Mike Africa Sr with Debbie Africa
Mike Africa Sr with Debbie Africa: ‘I missed her and I loved her – she’s been my girl since we were kids – that’s never wavered at all.’ Photo: Tommy Oliver

 

The 1978 siege of the Move 9 house in the Powelton Village neighborhood of Philadelphia was one of the most violent and visceral incidents of the years of black liberation struggle. At the time, 12 adults and 11 children were living in a communal house, along with 48 dogs.

Move was a unique organization that mixed revolutionary ideology better associated with the Black Panther party with care for nature and the environment better associated with flower power and the hippy movement. The group still exists today, largely in the Philadelphia area, and continues to campaign for the release of its remaining members behind bars.

Mike Sr’s release reduces the number of still-incarcerated Move 9 members to five. In addition to his parole and that of his wife, two others have died behind bars from health complications related to their imprisonment – Merle Austin Africa, in March 1998, and Phil Africa in January 2015.

Brad Thomson, of the Chicago-based People’s Law Office, who was part of the legal team presenting the released prisoner, said that Mike Sr’s record in prison was exceptional, making him a prime candidate for parole. “With this decision, the parole board recognizes that Mike, like Debbie, and the rest of the Move 9, poses absolutely no threat to the community.”

The siege that led to the incarceration of five Move men and four women occurred on 8 August 1978. Tension had mounted for months between the commune and Philadelphia police following complaints from neighbors and fears that the group was stockpiling weapons.

The order was given for hundreds of police officers to go in and evict the residents by the notoriously hardline then mayor of Philadelphia, the city’s former police commissioner Frank Rizzo. In the melee, Ramp was killed.

Mike Africa Jr
Mike Africa Jr: ‘I’m having an out-of-body experience right now.’ Photo: Mark Makela

All nine adult members of Move living in the house were held responsible for the shooting and sentenced to 30 to 100 years. At trial they told the jury that they had no working firearms in the house, though that was disputed by prosecutors.

With Mike and Debbie Africa now released, thoughts are turning to the remaining five Move members still in prison. Petitions for habeas corpus have been filed in federal court on behalf of the two women, Janine Phillips Africa and Janet Hollaway Africa, challenging recent parole denials.

Bret Grote, of the Abolitionist Law Center, another lawyer for the Move 9, said: “This historic release of Mike Africa renders the parole board’s decision to deny the rest of the Move 9 all the more incomprehensible. For example, Janet and Janine have both maintained prison records that are as exemplary as Mike’s and essentially identical to that of Debbie, yet they were inexplicably denied parole in May.”

Seven years after the siege of the Move house, a second trauma was dealt to the black radical group. The then mayor of Philadelphia, Wilson Goode, gave the go-ahead for an incendiary bomb to be dropped on top of another Move house.

It caused an inferno that killed 11 people, including five children. More than 60 houses in the predominantly African American neighborhood were razed to the ground.


Read more by Ed Pilkington for The Guardian
“A siege. A bomb. 48 dogs. And the black commune that would not surrender”
Forty years ago, Philadelphia erupted in one of the most dramatic shoot-outs of the black liberation struggle. Ed Pilkington tells the surreal story of the Move 9 – and what happened to them next. Read more.

Filed Under: info, news, philadelphia Tagged With: Abolitionist Law Center, Bret Grote, Debbie Africa, Ed Pilkington, Mike Africa Jr, Mike Africa Sr, MOVE 9, parole for move 9, The Guardian

Pack the Court and Streets for Mumia on Mon., December 3, 2018!

Monday, December 3, 2018 – 8 am,
Court Hearing for Mumia,
Criminal Justice Center,
1301 Filbert Street,
Room 1108,
Philadelphia, PA;
Get directions

 

In a court case that could eventually lead to Mumia Abu-Jamal’s freedom, Judge Leon Tucker has ordered the District Attorney’s office to present new testimony in reference to Ronald Castille, on August 30, 2018. Castille is a former PA Supreme Court judge who refused to disqualify himself when Mumia’s case came before the court despite having been the Philadelphia District Attorney during Mumia’s prior appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that such conduct is unconstitutional.

A New Chance for Mumia
Click graphic for large version

 

 

 


A recent update on Mumia Abu Jamal’s case:
Philadelphia DA’s office stonewalls at hearing for Mumia Abu-Jamal
May 3, 2018

Filed Under: advocacy, event, philadelphia Tagged With: Court Hearing, Larry Krasner, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Philadelphia, Ronald Castille

Sole remaining survivor of MOVE 9 tragedy gravely ill; community seeks funds

By Cherri Gregg
August 22, 2018
Reprinted from WKY News Radio

Supporters have launched a GoFundMe account.

WEST PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The last remaining survivor of the 1985 MOVE tragedy is gravely ill, and her supporters are asking for help.

“Ramona Africa’s health is critical at this point,” Sue Africa told reporters Wednesday, August 22, 2018, as she stood [at a press conference] outside of a home in West Philadelphia. Several members of the MOVE organization stood alongside her, including Michael Africa, Pam Africa, and Consuela Africa, whose two daughters were killed in the bombing.

“The people must come together to fight with us to ensure she comes through this,” said Consuela. She asked the public to help Ramona, who they say has lymphoma [which caused a stroke] and is disabled.

“She cannot walk because she suffered a terrible stroke,” Sue continued, “and now her insurance has run out.”


Sue said Ramona has insurance through UnitedHealthcare, which only pays for 30 days of treatment. Supporters are looking for more insurance, but say there is a lag time for the new insurance to kick in. While they wait, they say Ramona is regressing and she needs help now.

“They say it could take three to six months,” she said. “Mona can’t survive three to six months without therapy.”

Ramona Africa in hospitalSupporters launched a GoFundMe account seven days ago. So far, they have raised more than $14,000 of the $40,000 goal.

“We just need help at this particular time,” said Pam Africa.

The family refused to identify the facility that Ramona is housed in, citing her safety and wellness as a concern. Pam said Ramona took ill two months ago, around the same time Debbie Africa, the first member of the MOVE 9 imprisoned for the death of Philadelphia Police Officer James Ramp, was released.

“We have the best interest of our sister at heart,” Pam added. “We have good doctors working with her, as well as our own herbalists helping her.”

The family says they will be pressuring the insurance company to provide services. In the meantime, Sue said Ramona remains in good spirits.

“Mona is a survivor — it’s in her,” she said. “She will survive this and walk away from this and teach around the world.”

Audio story: https://omny.fm/shows/kywam-on-demand/supporters-announce-efforts-to-help-last-survivor/embed?style=cover&size=square&share=1

Donate to Ramona at https://www.gofundme.com/helpsaveramonaafrica.

Filed Under: Ramona Africa Tagged With: cancer, Cherri Gregg, ill, lymphoma, MOVE Organization, Press Conference, PTSD, Ramona Africa, stroke, WKY News Radio

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All MOVE members freed from prison! LLJA!

Debbie Sims Africa, June 2018

Mike Africa Sr, October 2018

Janine Phillips Africa

Janet Holloway Africa, May 2019

Eddie Goodman Africa, June 2019

Delbert Orr Africa, January 2020

Chuck Sims Africa February 2020

And, we always remember the two MOVE members who died suspiciously in prison:

Merle Africa, March 1998
Phil Africa, January 2015

42 years after the Aug. 8, 1978 confrontation in Philadelphia, FINALLY all of the “MOVE 9” prisoners are out of prison!

Also, check out: move9parole.blogspot.com for more information.

The MOVE family was bombed in an attempt to stop their work to free all Life.  They remain steadfast. Long Live John Africa!

Life

All living beings, things that move, are equally important, whether they are human beings, dogs, birds, fish, trees, ants, weeds, rivers, wind or rain. To stay healthy and strong, life must have clean air, clear water and pure food. If deprived of these things, life will cycle to the next level, or as the system says, ‘die’. - John Africa

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