Free the MOVE 9!

Ona MOVE for our Children!

2011-05-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Never forget 1985! Now is the time to free the MOVE 9!
Friday May 13, Join the MOVE organization to watch “MOVE: A Confrontation” to understand the unjust incarceration of the MOVE 9 and how the battle for their release leads to the bombing of MOVE in 1985.
L-13 Gladfelter Hall, Temple University
1115 W. Berks Street, Philadelphia 6-9 pm
Saturday May 14, join us for a rally Broad & Chestnut sts, Philadelphia 12-3pm

Ona MOVE for our Children!
Patrick Murphy, MOVE Supporter

The MOVE 9 has been incarcerated for 32 years. 32 years ago they were punished for a taking a stand against this system. They stood against brutality, rape, racism, drugs and they stood against the destruction and exploitation of family. They stood for ALL LIFE. The struggle of living truth against power continues.

MOVE has long fought to protect children from the money first/slave based/murderous values- attacks of this system. A system that regularly beat and murdered move children and unborn babies- a system that seeks to destroy/control all of our children every day.

The systems power over our children is stronger then ever. The beautiful and natural process of childbirth and motherhood is under attack- at best it is disregarded as an inconvenience- at worst mother and children’s lives are considered worthless by man’s laws n courts.

The truth is that their lives are valued in accordance with the slave-colonial based/ white male patriarchal supremacy we all live under.

The mentality of this system commands greed and selfish pride as its major flag bearers. These ideals, passed down from generation to generation, continue to destroy all life. This is why we consider ourselves to be a society making great progress yet all of life- the air, water, and soil we need to live, continue to be further damaged everyday. This system financially thrives upon the 2 million people in the US incarcerated and the deaths of over 100,000 people each day
from starvation and poverty.

In order to destroy and exploit life the mind is conditioned, by the system, to thrive off of a false wholeness- a fake feeling of rightness through constant monetary based instant gratification. Everyone is addicted to feel good bullshit. These fake oddities of human advancement- these technological “advances” are leaving us lifeless- keeping us blind and or emotionally unavailable to the fact that all of our privileges hinge on the death and exploitation of all life. Instead of life, everyone derives there worth from the phone in their pocket, the label on their clothes, the name on their car, etc…

This system is everywhere, in everything, in every one of us. It imposes upon every aspect of life. Life has never been and never will be its goal. Its goal as built and maintained is to have more “capital gains”- more privileges - at any cost.

We need to free the MOVE 9 because they were imprisoned for being true protectors of all life. We need the MOVE 9 and all those who support life over money to work together to defeat this system.

REMEMBER, THE FIGHT THE MOVE ORGANIZATION IS WAGING IN THE COURTS AND PRISONS IS FOR YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS TOO, THE DRUGS, THE BEATINGS AND THE HOMOSEXUAL RAPE OF MEN AND WOMEN BY PRISON OFFICALS AND INMATES EXIST, THE MENTALLY CRUELTY PRISONERS HAVE TO ENDURE EXIST, AND UNLESS YOU ARE RICH YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THESE CONDITIONS. THE MOVE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO PUTTING AN END TO THESE CONDITIONS, NOT ONLY IN THE PRISONS BUT OUTSIDE THE PRISONS AS WELL…TO QUOTE JOHN AFRICA “ FOR WHILE THE LIE ONLY SCARS THE ENTRANCE TO THE MIND, THE TRUTH ERASES THE LIE AND PLANT ITSELF IN THE MIND FOREVER…” JOHN AFRICA

The truth is that we must stop depending on this system to raise our children and change our lives; it is only making things worse. A definition of insanity: repeating the same thing over and expecting a different result. I’d say that definition fits perfectly to us who think we can make it through the system. The system has and always will fail life. Wake up people, please, now, before it is too late and humans are responsible for destroying all life. This is 32 years too long. We need our brothers and sisters back. We need to grow as a people in revolution with life - sharing in the life first example MOVE has given us. Free the MOVE 9 Now! We need them more then ever!

Defeat the Media War on MOVE!

2011-05-10T04:01:00.000-07:00

DEFEAT THE MEDIA WAR on MOVE!
Sis Marpessa Kupendua, MOVE Supporter

MOVE is the most committed family of revolutionaries I have ever known because they uphold that all forms of life be free of repression and all forms of terrorism. They are also the victims of one of the most vicious and diabolical media campaigns ever waged against an organization.

The malicious portrayals of MOVE by the Philadelphia media as subhuman and violent are insidious and very well documented. Kitty Caparella, among many others, wrote despicable lies about MOVE on a daily basis from 1977 through the August 8, 1978 police siege on their home and continued sporadically through the May 13, 1985 bombing. MOVE was repeatedly mischaracterized as a 'cult" that was 'brainwashed' into behaving in a programmed manner, insane and devoid of logic. The virus of hate within these pre-packaged talking points sped zinging across the wires to be repeated as a mantra in every media outlet. These messages proclaimed that it was MOVE who were responsible for the attacks upon their own selves by police who invaded their own property! Clever wordplay changed the ‘bombing of MOVE’ to ‘the MOVE Bombing’ and continues to be referred to as such to this day.

This is the power of the press, which distorts reality to suit its own hellacious purposes, even unto the murders of innocent babies. As the flames raged on May 13, 1985, there was BREAKING NEWS – breathless reports that there were male MOVE members seen fleeing the burning house and escaping down the alley, so you betta watch out! A dangerous MOVE (boogie)man might just get ya! Many dreadlocked Black men in Philly and surrounding areas were either laying low or chopping off their hair while the panicked public had visions of these burning, running men that the media had dropped into through their heads. It will never be known how many Black men suffered as the murderous lynch mob rained down terror on MOVE that terrible ‘Mother’s’ day.

News reports focused less on the murder victims and more on the neighbors who had lost their homes. Human interest stories abounded, such as the neighbor who lost his jazz record collection and all those good-hearted Philadelphians who donated records to him. Glossy pamphlets appeared on the Septa train featuring an elderly couple from the neighborhood selling fire insurance because "You just never know what might happen!” (for real!).

The sci-fi invasion of the brain-snatchers caused far too many to unwittingly ingest and repeat this shitstem's sick media propaganda without blinking.

It's outrageous that this city had no problem sacrificing 61 homes in its zeal to murder MOVE people, but we all know that material possessions are not more valuable than people's lives, right! Since we also know that that it's truly HEINOUS that 11 men, women and children were murdered on that day, we have to conclude that they are not equal! Far too often the media blurs the conversation to simply state, "the MOVE bombing and destruction of 61 homes." Who was responsible for the bombing? Where is the mention of the stolen lives? Who, then, are the true brainwash victims?

Although the cellphone video evidence in the police murder of 22 years young Oscar Grant was able to at least garner an unprecedented trial for one of the killer cops who murdered him in San Francisco on New Years Day, 2009, the violent siege on MOVE in 1978 as well as the massacre of MOVE people in 1985 were both captured on news cameras and shown worldwide with no arrests of ANY of the perpetrators. MOVE people are also still being denied the right to bring their people home from the bowels of this shitstem after 32 LONG YEARS of wrongful incarceration!
We can and must double, triple and quadruple the creation of our own independent media, many of us have the gifts and talents to do so right from our home computers, blogs, cameras, etc., to build videos, organize events, speak-outs, demonstrations, and we better take advantage of this technology while we still have it! Did you know that at one point when the movement to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal was at its height in the mid 90's, Mumia was refused a simple pencil and paper? This man in a cell within a cell on death row, clinking and clanking with shackles and chains, became a frightening prospect when armed with a writing utensil! If he can do it in there, we can do more, we MUST and WILL do more!

Produce and deliver information to your communities and talk with people on a regular basis to give them a different conversation than that which they’re used to hearing. We've got to be on it as hard and as consistently as mainstream media and put out correct information to rebut their every attack. Those who are already doing independent media through newspapers, radio shows and other means depend on us to subscribe to and advertise in their newspapers and we must support their fundraisers for all forms of RESISTANCE media, they need us and we need them! We must also support our truth-telling journalists when they come under attack as without them we are left at the mercy of mainstream media. And we already know what that’s like, right? Ask MOVE.

Let the lessons of MOVE not be lost upon us, they are excellent teachers and have always stressed the importance of putting out information as a regular and consistent activity.

When there is information that must get out, people must know where to get it, and it must be there for them. As the MOVE organization says, THE POWER OF TRUTH IS FINAL! The ONLY way to defeat a lie is through the truth!
And if we don't fight
if we don't resist
if we don't organize and unify and
get the power to control our own lives
Then we will wear
the exaggerated look of captivity
the stylized look of submission
the bizarre look of suicide
the dehumanized look of fear
and the decomposed look of repression
forever and ever and ever
And there it is

(From "There it Is" by Jayne Cortez)

Never forget 1985! Now is the time to free the MOVE 9!
Friday May 13, Join the MOVE organization to watch “MOVE: A Confrontation” to understand the unjust incarceration of the MOVE 9 and how the battle for their release leads to the bombing of MOVE in 1985.
L-13 Gladfelter Hall, Temple University
1115 W. Berks Street, Philadelphia 6-9 pm

Saturday May 14, join us for a rally Broad & Chestnut sts, Philadelphia 12-3 pm

What's Time or Money Got to Do With It?

2011-05-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

Never forget 1985! Now is the time to free the MOVE 9!

Friday May 13, Join the MOVE organization to watch “MOVE: A Confrontation” to understand the unjust incarceration of the MOVE 9 and how the battle for their release leads to the bombing of MOVE in 1985.
L-13 Gladfelter Hall, Temple University
1115 W. Berks Street, Philadelphia 6-9 pm

Saturday May 14, join us for a rally Broad & Chestnut sts, Philadelphia 12-3 pm

What’s Time or Money Got to Do with It?
Phil Africa, MOVE 9
Ona MOVE!You may have heard about our family going to the D.A. last year to have murder charges filed against city officials and police involved in the murders of eleven of our family members on May 13th 1985. The D.A.’s office refused to carry out the filing of murder charges against its bosses and murderous racist buddies. A situation very familiar to all of us poor folks and people of color who have ever tried to have officials held responsible for crimes committed against us through out history. Nothing has changed from the older days of slavery til’ today. The double standard of how the poor and of color are mistreated compared to Monies & Official people still stands more than ever!

In a system where they still hunt Nazis for war crimes from World War 2, where soldiers are still being killed and killing long after the war created on lies in Iraq is suppose to be over, there are hundreds of people held captive on death rows waiting to be murdered many years after the crimes they were accused of committing have passes, but when it come to going after those who’ve murdered MOVE folks, the only thing of importance to this system is time, dollars and cents. In a system that is well known for its revengeful, violent attitude of never forget/never forgive and drive to hunt down those it sees as responsible no matter how long it takes or how much it cost when something is sees as wrong is done to it, for it to say our charges were “investigated decades ago” and that it is a legitimate policy decision for the D.A.’s office to save resources by not investigating a matter again” is racist and insane. Neither of the issues sighted by the D.A. and upheld by common pleas Judge Palumbo had anything to do with justice or being right. They both were the pattern response to Black and Poor folks complaints when they are against this system and its agents, that time and money are those in office only concern!
Of course both excuses are crap! This state has over fifty-one thousand people locked up in prison and adding more each day! At a time when other states prison populations are going down, this state is sky rocketing! The federal government stated that all crimes are down across the nation, yet Pennsylvania continues to lock people up and keep them locked up to the point where they have to build even more prisons, costing the tax payer more money.

One of the prisons alone is expected to cost $127 million, so three would put around $381 million. This system admits these three new prisons will be filled as soon as they are completed in about three years! And these officials got the nerve to talk about “saying scarce resources” as their reason for not wanting to investigate the murders of 11 move members that includes five children. Everyone should be outrages about this foul injustice.

Like with the case of Oscar Grant out in LA, as long as this system thinks that it can murder Black folks, poor folks at will and get only a slap on the wrist if convicted, they have no motivation to stop. These official criminals that hide behind the labels of Judge/DA/Mayor/Governor/Police Officer and misuse those positions/labels to commit crimes that non-officials go to jail for every day, must be stopped! These officials must be made to realize that they are public servants and when they cease to do the will of the public, the people, when they are exposed as being the same as slave plantation overseers, then they must be removed as any overseer should be removed. Keep in mind what John Africa teach “that just because its legal, don’t make it right”, LONG LIVE JOHN AFRICA! That Judge and DA can talk all the legal crap they want, but it don’t make their rulings right. It is not right that they try to act like “time” has something to do with justice, that money has anything to do with justice, because they do not. 11 MOVE people were murdered on May 13th, 1985 and everyone knows that any honest investigation must be viewed as a accomplice in those murders. That’s how they roll when it comes to poor folks who they claim can hinder an investigation. What’s time or money got to do with justice making sure that those who are responsible for the murders of 11 people don’t get away! Bringing the guilty to justice should be the only concern. Clearly that’s not how the judges and D.A.’s office feels. Now if it were a cop who’d been murdered we all know the D.A. and Judge would be singing another tune! They would be kicking down doors, having Black males face down in the streets, the Mayor would be on the news vowing to capture those they think are responsible, every cop would be towing the Blue Line of saying they will never forgive or forget and swearing to look for the killer no matter how long it took or how much money it cost. Time or money would never be an issue. But when its Black lives we’re talking about, poor people’s lives we’re talking about.

Folks don’t let these people get away with murder! Don’t let these same people who have pulled every lie and trick they could invent to put and keep innocent MOVE people in jail for over 32 years at a cost of well over 5 million dollars for crimes this system know that we did not commit, get away with 11 murders and that the world knows that this system committed!

Like I said, Time and Cost got nothing to do with seeing that justice is done! People must demand that those responsible for the murders of 11 MOVE people including 5 children be made to face the charges like all those they hunt down daily for far less!

Let me make this clear, we in MOVE are not looking for justice from this system, John Africa has exposed this system for being completely corrupt with no justice to give, how could it, when it is founded on the foundation of rape, murder, slave, genocide, lies and oppression. People need to see that there is No justice in this system and need to stop allowing this system to ride hard over people as if it is just, fair, balanced, when all this system is, is a LIE! Each time we expose this system for being the racist, unjust monster that it is, we are doing the work needed to wake people up to stop allowing this system to get away with the crimes it constantly commits. LONG LIVE JOHN AFRICA’S REVOLUTION AND DOWN WITH THIS ROTTEN REFORM WORLD SYSTEM! Free All Political & Class prisoners! Unity is Power!

2011-05-05T17:26:00.001-07:00

“...it is time to put what I have learned into practice; freedom will only be won by the sweat on our brows”
—Safiya Bukhari

Four years ago, as a junior in college in Virginia, I met this Elder named Leroy who was the janitor at the school library. After about five minutes of conversation, he asked of my origins. I replied “home of the moonshine, Franklin, Virginia”. After turning the question back on him, he responded―”I am from Philly, home of a Black mayor throwing a bomb on some Black folks house.”

That was my first piece of information about MOVE.

Three Years ago, I moved to Philly and I was surprised to see the light being dimmed on the MOVE 9’s case. It was one of the biggest cases of injustice in Philadelphia, and people had seem to forget that not only one, but nine of their own political prisoners were doing a 30-100 year bid in prison.

I remember watching the gritty, Black and White, documentary, “MOVE: Confrontation in Philadelphia” and feeling the outrage of the community after the August 8, 1978 incident. People were in the streets cursing and exposing the corruption of Philadelphia police and rallying together for the MOVE 9. Fast Forward thirty years later and while engaging in dialogue with people around the MOVE 9 case, I hear time and time again, ―”they are still incarcerated?”, “Hold up, you mean to tell me there are people in prison right now who are apart of MOVE?”

This type of brain drain is very devastating to an important case such as this one that needs support in the form of people power in demanding the MOVE 9’s freedom!

Everyday, I am making more of a personal commitment to the MOVE 9, while working towards enlightening my community about this case and putting out the information in order to ensure that our brothers and sisters of the MOVE 9 will make it back to us as well.

Even if you do not agree with the principles of the MOVE organization, or support their stance, we can agree on as a community that our political prisoners must come home! We must take the initiative to enlighten one another about the MOVE 9 and strategize on how we can get Chuck, Mike, Janet, Janine, Debbie, Delbert, Phil, and Eddie home (and justice for Sis Merle as well). Along the way, hopefully we can enlighten others to find it in their conscience to make a MOVE for the MOVE 9!

Ona MOVE,

Iresha

Remembering May 13th!

2011-05-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

The MOVE Organization will have events marking May 13th and continuing the fight for the release of the MOVE 9.

Friday May 13, Screening "August 8, 1978" to understand the unjust incarceration of the MOVE 9 and how that lead to the bombing on May 13, 1985
L-13 Gladfelter Hall, Temple University, 1115 W. Berks Ave, Phila
6-9 pm

Saturday May 14, Demonstration at Broad & Chestnut Sts
12-3 pm

The Questioning Incarceration Coalition will meet tomorrow, April 28 from 6-7 pm at the A-Space, 4722 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia. Among other agenda items, we will be coordinating support and logistics for these events. Be there if you can help out!

At this time of year the MOVE Organization always appreciates donations to help cover the costs of the MOVE 9's living expenses. Phil Africa especially always appreciates funds to help cover the costs of the art supplies he uses to make political art and donate to organizations globally. He's also cut back on calling his family due to high phone card costs. All our political prisoners could use any funds you can provide. Go to Jpay.com to make a contribution. All the MOVE 9's information is available on www.onamove.com.See More

A Tribute to a Fallen Warrior: Merle Africa

2011-03-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

Merle Austin Africa was the embodiment of strength, endurance and a welcoming spirit. A radiant smile was a partner of her commitment. A Black Woman, a MOVE member. A rebel, revolutionary. Bright, beautiful, genuine. The perfect sister.

It was thirteen years ago today—March 13th, that Merle passed away at the prison for women in Northwestern Pennsylvania in Cambridge Springs. She had been in prison for twenty straight years, doing a sentence of 30-100 years for essentially not renouncing the teachings of John African and turning on MOVE.

Merle maintained her innocence along with her family/co-defendants who 33 years in prison. Merle was a human being who was the soul of the family; her laughter was infectious. She must never be forgotten and in that spirit. I wish to reach out to all who embrace our sisters for their enduring spirit and centuries long dedication to the resistance of racism, misogamy and all forms of White Supremacy.

Too many of our unsung heroes go unnoticed or under-appreciated. We do not want Merle in that category. Merle was robbed of twenty years of her life. John Africa said if you rob someone of their life—impose on their contentment, you have in fact killed that person. She was murdered by the state.

Our concerted efforts to educate must be relentless as we strive to get justice and redress for all of these loses. And we must continue to link Merle’s persecution as a political prisoner and Black Women to all of our Political Prisoners and Women being oppressed. Over all objectives is our quest for eventual freedom for all and our God given right o determine for ourselves.

Merle died on March 13th, thirteen years ago. Those thirteen years and the date of her death are significant and eerie by itself. Those numbers bear a real, historical relation to MOVE and a chronology that started when MOVE members were arrested March 13th, 1981; our home bombed and eleven members murdered May 13th, 1985 and of course, her death, March 13th 1998.

If this bleak account is disturbing—as it should be—let us unify our effort wherever we can in honoring Merle and keeping her spirit alive as we re-double our efforts to fight for the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of war and human beings.

Free All Political Prisoners
Ona MOVE

Chuck Africa, MOVE 9
&
Iresha Picot, MOVE Supporter

Philadelphia's War on MOVE is a War on the Black Community!

2011-01-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement invites the community out to the film screening of MOVE: A Documentary with Post-Discussion from Pam Africa, minister of confrontation of the MOVE organization and chairwoman of the International Concern Family and Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal

MOVE: A Documentary goes behind the 1978 and 1985 attack on the Philadelphia revolutionary organization MOVE and the repression they suffered from the racist and brutal policies of the Philadelphia police department and the US justice system.

January 19th, 2010
Uhuru Solidarity Center
3733 Lancaster Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19104
6pm
$3-$5 suggested donation

For more information contact Iresha.Picot@gmail.com
--

FREE the MOVE 9 display at the A-Space

2010-12-19T18:42:00.000-08:00

Come out to a display on the MOVE 9 and Phil Africa's artwork from December 19th to January 27th.

A-Space
4722 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Merle and Janet in the MXGM Newsletter

2010-11-27T20:28:00.000-08:00

Two of the four women whom make up the MOVE 9 (Janet and Merle) are featured in the new fall newsletter of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement. Scroll down to the "Freedom Fighters" section.

FREE THE MOVE 9!

2010-11-09T17:07:00.000-08:00

Interview with Ramona Africa and new article on May 13, 1985

2010-10-13T02:35:00.000-07:00

This is a new video interview conducted by Angola 3 News, an official project of the International Coalition to free the Angola 3.

Accompanying the video is a written article detailing the many arguments that can be made in support of MOVE's request for murder charges for the death of 5 children and 6 adults on May 13, 1985. Read the article here, as well as Angola 3 News' previous article and video-interview with Ramona focusing on the MOVE 9 here.

Ex-SPAND

2010-10-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ex-SPAND

I see C-Span a national forum
Being wasted with passive decorum
We must be wise, thoughtful and revolutionary bold
I see another Political Prisoner’s story but wonder why other’s aren’t being told
Oh Sis please remember
When in the spot light mention a MOVE member
Have we not suffered enough through time?
And am I right now begrudged for speaking my mind?
And what about that dead sister of mine?
I feel so upset when Merles name isn’t mentioned
Does she not deserve a few lines?
I know my tongue is hard to hold onto…
Truth isn’t always kind
Don’t retreat to the narrow part of the mind
This is no slight to a forever brother of mine
It’s just an urgent message to cover all ground.

Chuck Africa

MOVE 9 on MXGM

2010-09-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

Ona MOVE,

The MOVE 9 are one of many political prisoners highlighted on the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement site. Link below:

http://mxgm.org/category/political-prisoners/

Ona MOVE

Deafening Silence, Chuck Africa

2010-09-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Peace People,

This poem is from Chuck Africa, one of the MOVE 9, who is currently serving 30-100 years on trump up charges of killing a police officer. After 32 years in prison, the MOVE 9 are repeatly denied parole, after serving their minimum sentence. Chuck wanted me to share this with the people, so that we can see how our silence in demanding the MOVE 9’s freedom is inherently an invitation to their death behind prison walls.

Deafening Silence

Don’t ya’ll hear cries of anguish?

In the climate of pain come joining voices?

But voices become unheard and strained by inactions

Of dead brains

How long will thou Philly soul remain in the pit of agonizing apathy?

Indifference seems to greet you like the morning mirror

Look closely in the mirror and realize it’s a period of mourning….

My Sistas, mothers, daughters, wives and warriors

Languish in prisons obscurity like a distant star in the galaxies as does their brothers

We need to be free….

How loud can you stay silence?

Have the courage to stand up and have a say,

Choose resistance and let go of your fears.

The history of injustice to MOVE; we all know so well

But your deafening silence could be my DEATH KNELL.

Chuck Africa

Please share, inform people get involve in demanding the MOVE 9’s freedom!

Say, "Hello No, to Death Row"

2010-08-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

WORLD DAY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY : USA
10-10-10

WE DEMAND 100% ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY NOW!
NO EXCEPTIONS (INCLUDING MUMIA ABU-JAMAL)!

Several key members of US anti-death penalty organizations have recently made a move to exclude Mumia Abu-Jamal from the movement to abolish the death penalty, arguing that Mumia's inclusion alienated potential law enforcement supporters of the abolition movement!!! This position caused an international uproar. October 9th will be a reaffirmation of a real and unifying abolition movement: 100% ABOLITION! NO EXCEPTIONS!

BE IN PHILADELPHIA SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

9 AM RALLY AT THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
HEADQUARTERS (longtime fighters for executions
and perpetrators of terrorism on those who fight for justice)
Broad Street and Springfield Gardens)
10 AM MARCH BEGINS

11:30 AM INDOOR RALLY BEGINS
LA FAMILIA
1310 North Broad Street

Scheduled Participants:
International representatives
Former Death Row Prisoners
Journalist Linn Washington
And many others

People's Lunch Counter: Black August

2010-08-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

People's Lunch Counter Presents: Ramona and Pam Africa
Southside On Lamar
1409 S Lamar
Dallas, TX

The People's Lunch Counter is an organization in Dallas that works as an advocate for food justice and sustainability.The PLC provides a holistic approach to ending food insecurity and focus on a healthy body and mind through education, gardening and environmental awareness.

Part of our awareness campaigns include bringing awareness to the communities about political prisoners and organizations like MOVE who set the presidence and created a path for groups like us to be able and speak out against the misinformation and propaganda of the system.

Every August, PLC along with The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and other organizations come together to recognize the contributions made in August for the liberation of black people. We focus on political prisoners and events that occured in August throughout history. This year our Black August Course is dedicated to MOVE. We have two classes a week studying MOVE and the events leading up to the 1985 Bombing, the continued incarceration of the MOVE 9 and current events that MOVE is working on for Mumia also. Participants are encouraged to write to the 8 comrades at the end of the course and continue to show them love and support after the course as well.

The last week of this years Black August Course is ending with two special guest speakers! Ramona and Pam Africa will be in Dallas to host showings of the MOVE documentary on August 26th at Doc Shop Bookstore in Fort Worth and August 27th in Dallas at the Progressive Center. PLC is truly honored to have them and we are looking forward to continuing to support the MOVE and the campaign to bring home the Africa family still imprisoned.The People's Lunch Counter can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plcdallas or email us at plcdallas@gmail.com

Free the MOVE 9: Putting Pressure on the Parole Board

2010-08-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

The information below is from Phil Africa on behalf of the MOVE 9. Nine Black men and women who are serving a 30-100 year sentence for the murder of a cop back in 1978. After completing their minumum sentence of thirty years, they are continually being denied by the parole board. I encourage everyone to call and/or (contact info at the bottom) write on their behalf to the parole board for their release. Please circulate this around.

Chairman Catherine McVey
(717) 787-5699

Tips for Calling Parole Board

1—Keep a copy of our parole sheets with you when calling. This way you will know just what they said and how to attack it.

2—Key points are that we have done all that is required to be released.
a. All required programs have been completed
b. Have been misconduct free for over 20 years
c. Have the recommendation of the prisons to be released
d. We have home plans
e. We have job plans
f. We have strong community support networks
g. We have very strong family supports

Keep in mind, that the aforementionables are more than most have while pre-parole, so why are we not being paroled?

3— Reiterate that parole is about the 32 years being spent in prison verses the crime being committed.

The sentencing judge has never said that we would have to admit “guilt/take responsibility” for crimes we did not commit in order to be paroled. Ask them, where does it say in their rules that a prisoner must admit guilt to be released? Point being, that it is what they are demanding of us by refusing to release us because we “refuse to accept responsibility for the offense” and some other crap, which of course is not stuff that is on any of the information sheets that are given to us after our sentencing that tells you when you get to prison what is expected of you to be ready for parole/release.

4—Be sure to tape record your calls to these people whenever possible. That way you can quote them word for word and if caught in lies, having it on tape will be very impressive. Always be sure to get the name of the person you talk to and what their job or position with the parole board is when you call.

5—Pre-release vs Parole. We had been up for pre-release which is separate from parole because it is decided on by the Department of Correction. Yet when Delbert saw the parole board, they asked him “how is your pre-release bid coming along.” We were told by the staff here that we had been approved for it until it went to Harrisburg to be voted on and that we had been approved for it until it went to Harrisburg to be voted on. We know it was politics that had them make the change in vote once the Rendell/FOP people got wind of it. Like I said, these are just suggestions of things to ask or say to these people at the parole board when you all be calling them. They should be able to state and explain why they refused us parole and ya’ll know that whatever excuse they give we can pick apart with the truth and use it to expose them even more.

6—Ask them why since nothing has changed with the women or men, they’ve got no misconducts, have the prisons recommendation done completed all of their programs, that they were not released but instead given longer parole hits. Now this is a big issue because only when you mess up do they give you a longer hit, so how do they explain giving the women those increased hits.

I encourage all to write to the parole board as well on behalf of the MOVE 9:
Attn: Inmate Inquiry
1101 South Front Street, Suite 5300
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 787-5699

Along with Chairman Catherine C. McVey, the other eight Parole Board Members are Charles Fox, Michael L. Green, Jeffrey R. Imboden, Matthew T. Mangino, Benjamin A. Martinez, Gerard N. Massaro, Judy Viglione, Lloyd A. White.

August 8, 1978, We Must Never Forget!

2010-08-08T21:08:00.000-07:00

On August 7th, MOVE members, supporters, and activists came out to 11th and Market in memorializing the attacks on the MOVE family in 1978 and rallied together in solidarity for the freedom of the MOVE 9.

On August 8th, 1978, in the wee hours of the morning, over six-hundred hundred police officers attacked MOVE’s house on 309 N. 33rd Street while MOVE members were asleep. After MOVE barricaed themselves for safety in their basement, police began to deluge hoses so powerful into the basement, it pulled bricks from the walls and also rounded countless number of bullets aimed at people; attempting to kill MOVE babies, women and men inside. Inadvertly, one of those shots fired by police, fatally killed Officer Ramp, and nine MOVE members (MOVE 9), were each sentenced to 30-100 years for killing one police officer. After serving their full minimum sentence of thirty years, the MOVE 9 have continually been denied parole and at this present moment, they have seen the parole board for the third time since 2008, unfavorably.

We need to let this year not only mark the 32nd consecutive year of the MOVE 9--Janine, Janet, Debbie, Phil, Mike, Delbert, Chuck and Eddie’s (Sis Merle past away in 1998) incarceration for a crime that they did not commit, but let their mere presence behind enemy walls, stir our continued fight for their release from a racist and unjust penal system that is so threaten in letting them have their freedom that they are hell bent on keeping them confined. We are only one part; the whole of the community has to get involve in bringing the MOVE 9 home. As the revolutionary Che Guevara profoundly stated “Words are beautiful, but action is supreme”.
ONA MOVE,
---Iresha

http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2010/08/08/move-9-supporters-continue-fight-for-justice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=move-9-supporters-continue-fight-for-justice

Metro - MOVE shooting: It’s been 32 years

2010-08-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Metro - MOVE shooting: It’s been 32 years

August 7 Event in Philadelphia

2010-07-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

ONA MOVE, All!

As I'm sure you all know, this August 8th marks 32 years of unjust imprisonment for The MOVE 9. Our main activity is to pressure the parole board about their release but we won't let August 8th go by without reminding people what that day represents. We will gather at 11th and Market Sts. from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm on Saturday August 7th. We will have info to distribute to people and will be available to talk to people about The MOVE 9.

Hope to see you there--Ramona

Free the MOVE 9 Letter Writing Campaign!

2010-07-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

July 28th
The LAVA
4134 Lancaster Ave
Phila, PA 19104

If you would like to send the letter yourself to the parole board, here is the link below:

http://hrcoalition.org/sites/default/files/MOVE%209%20support%20letter[1].doc

Free the MOVE 9 Work Meeting!

2010-07-15T19:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 17, 2010
2:00pm - 5:00pm
The Lava
4134 Lancaster Ave
Philadelphia, PA

The MOVE 9 are innocent men and women who have been in prison since August 8, 1978, following a massive police attack on their home in Powelton Village (Philadelphia). After serving their minimum sentence, they are still being unjustly imprisoned.
It will take a massive amount of public pressure to force this rotten corrupt government to release the MOVE 9 and all political prisoners—
What can YOU do to add to the pressure?
Saturday, July 17th @ 2-5pm
The LAVA-4134 Lancaster Ave
Philadelphia PA, 19104
Bring ideas,
A voice,
And let’s get to work!

MOVE: Confrontation in Philadelphia

2010-07-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

Friends of the MOVE 9, Sankofa Community Empowerment and MXGM-Philly
Invites You To:

MOVE: Confrontation in Philadelphia
A documentary Tuesday, July 13, 2010
6-8 pm
The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St, Philadelphia

Discussion afterwards with:
Mike Africa Jr., MOVE Organization
Gabriel Bryant, Sankofa Community Empowerment

MOVE: Confrontation in Philadelphia is a fast-paced, independently created documentary film of the events in the late seventies which lead up to the Philadelphia police arrest of members of nine MOVE members, who are currently serving a 30-100 year sentence. The video journalists reveal the complex relationship of media bias, police harassment, and subtle economic motivation in the violent removal of MOVE.

For more information contact us at MOVE9SupportCommittee@gmail.com or Iresha.Picot@gmail.com
www.MOVE9parole.blogspot.com

Free the MOVE 9

2010-06-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Come out to the LAVE 4134 Lancaster Ave to the letter writing night for the MOVE 9 to the parole board for their release from prison!
6-9pm.

Action Alert for Chuck Africa of the MOVE 9

2010-06-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

ONA MOVE! I’M SENDING THIS EMAIL OUT TO INFORM YOU OF A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION HAPPENING WITH OUR BROTHER, CHUCK AFRICA.

THIS FALLS ON THE HEELS OF US EXPOSING PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER COLUMNIST, MONICA YANT KINNEY AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION WE WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT DURING MEDIA INTERVIEWS MARKING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS SINCE THE BOMBING. ALSO, WE JUST GOT A JUNE 21^ST HEARING DATE ON THE MURDER COMPLAINTS WE FILED AGAINST OFFICIALS FOR MURDERING OUR FAMILY IN 1985. THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOW TARGETING CHUCK AND THE SIGNS ARE VERY CLEAR.

FIRST, CHUCK WAS RECENTLY TRANSFERRED FROM SCI-GRATERFORD WHERE HE WAS WITH OUR BROTHER MIKE AFRICA TO SCI-RETREAT, A PA. PRISON WHERE THERE IS NO OTHER MOVE PERSON. OFFICIALS AT SCI-RETREAT PUT CHUCK IN THE HOLE AND WE JUST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HIM THAT HE WAS ATTACKED BY AN INMATE. THAT’S HOW THIS SYSTEM OPERATES WHEN THEY TARGET SOMEBODY. THEY ISOLATE YOU AND THEN DO ALL MANNER OF THINGS TO PUT PRESSURE ON YOU AND ULTIMATELY ARRANGE TO TAKE YOU OUT IF NOTHING ELSE BREAKS YOU. THEY DID IT WITH LEONARD PELTIER, ONLY STANDING DEER, THE PERSON WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO ASSASSINATE LEONARD, COULDN’T DO IT AND HE EXPOSED THE CONSPIRACY.

CHUCK AND ALL OF THE MOVE 9 ARE SOON COMING UP FOR PAROLE AND WE KNOW THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT WANT ANY OF THE MOVE 9 OUT HERE ON THE STREET BUT THIS GOES BEYOND PAROLE, CHUCK’S LIFE IS AT STAKE HERE. WE KNOW THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING ANYTHING TO AVOID RELEASING INNOCENT MOVE PEOPLE FROM PRISON AND WE PUT NOTHING PASS THEM.

WE’RE ASKING PEOPLE TO CONTACT SCI-RETREAT (570 735-8754) AND SPEAK TO SUPERINTENDENT JAMES McGRADY ABOUT THIS SITUATION. CHUCK SAYS THAT A KEY PLAYER IN THIS SET UP IS A GUARD NAMED LT.DUKES SO HIS NAME SHOULD BE MENTIONED. CHUCK’S FULL NAME AND NUMBER IS CHARLES SIMS AFRICA #AM4975.

WE KNOW WE DON’T HAVE TO TELL YOU TO EXPECT OFFICIALS TO FEIGN IGNORANCE OF ANY PROBLEM AND PROBABLY DENY EVERYTHING BUT DON’T FALL FOR IT. SOMETHING SERIOUS IS HAPPENING WITH CHUCK AND WE’RE NOT TAKING IT LIGHTLY AT ALL.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

RAMONA AFRICA FOR THE MOVE ORGANIZATION

MOVE 9 Tee shirt DESIGN Contest

2010-01-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

Last April 24 we made teeshirts publicizing Mumia's most recent book, Jailhouse Lawyer's. The idea was to sell those shirts and use the profit as seed money to then make shirts for the MOVE 9. We would continue using the seed money to make more shirts and donating anything earned after towards organizing for Mumia and the MOVE 9. Tee shirts are important-- they're visible, a conversation starter. Lauryn Hill wore a “Welcome to Philly” tee shirt that generated a lot of interest in the MOVE 9. People have talked about coming across “Free Mumia” tee shirts in Kuwait, Chiapas, and beyond. They become a living, walking, artistic form of resistance and history. In a movement with limited resources, but boundless energy, we want to make use of everything at our disposal.

So far we've sold $300 worth of teeshirts. We need to sell another $300 to afford a printing of the MOVE 9 shirts. Also, we need a design. So, here's the thing: We have beautiful, amazing, TALENTED artists in the movement the world over. We need you to design something that somehow communicates the battle for parole for the MOVE 9. It doesn't have to be wordy-- it's often better if the viewer is left curious but with resources at their disposal, like listing the website www.onamove.com.

As we receive submissions we'll post them on the website of Phil Africa's art work, managed by the dedicated Dave Johnson, at http://philafrica.bravehost.com/. Folks can look at the site and comment on what designs they'd like to see printed as a teeshirt. Also, if submitters are comfortable with this, the art could be used for future poster and flyer designs.

We have a global network. This is a great way to get involved if you're not geographically close to Philly and want to help the movement. It is so meaningful to get submissions from the Czech Republic, Mongolia, Morocco, Brazil and beyond. This is another way for us to build solidarity and connection.

If you aren't an artist but can donate monetarily, please do! It will help us get the shirts printed faster, and hopefully (fingers crossed!) by the 25th anniversary of the MOVE bombing: May 13th, 2010. If you want to purchase a Jailhouse Lawyer's teeshirt please email icffmaj@aol.com.

All art submissions should be emailed to icffmaj@aol.com by April 24, 2010. Thanks for your commitment and work.

Summary of 1st Meeting for May 13, 2010

2010-01-03T18:04:00.000-08:00

ONA MOVE, Everybody! We've had our first organizing meeting to plan for May 13th 2010 which marks 25 years since the bombing of MOVE. We have a good strong foundation to build on and I will summarize the results of the meeting and ask for your input. I also hope that it will serve as a foundation for those of you who can't make it to Philly to do something in your community. This is what we came up with:

Urge journalists (radio, television & print) to seek interviews with the parole board and question them about denying a person parole because the person won't say that they're guilty. If the parole board starts getting questioned by the media about this issue they'll feel some heat.

Have an attorney draw up official murder complaints against officials involved in murdering our MOVE family and deliver the complaints to the first Black District Attorney of Philadelphia on May 13th to put him on the spot to do something about the blatant murder of MOVE people. Also, have a press conference when the murder complaints are delivered and point out how MOVE people have been in prison for over 31 years for a murder they didn't commit while nobody is in prison for murdering 11 MOVE people that everybody knows officials are guilty of.

On the evening of May 13th, have a screening of The MOVE Documentary at The African-American Museum here in Philadelphia and have the filmmakers, journalist Linn Washington and a few other speakers with relevant information about May 13th and August 8th. Also work on a poetry slam in April and then bring the poets to the museum for May 13th to draw young people.

Do wanted posters for key people involved in murdering our family and post them all over the city to lead up to the filing of murder charges.

People were also urged to write letters to the editors of local newspapers and call in to as many radio talk shows as possible about the bombing and the ongoing imprisonment of The MOVE 9. This is something people can do all year long.

Our brother, Mike Africa, Jr., is writing a play called "Animals Are People Too" for the little kids and hopes to have it ready to be performed by little MOVE kids at The African-American Museum on May 13th. This play is based on the teaching of JOHN AFRICA and is designed to encourage the principle of the equality and love of all living beings rather than prejudice and sadism.

This is a summary of the first meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for January 17th at 4:00pm. I will let people know exactly where it will be held ASAP. Feel free to express any ideas you may have and be sure to inform me if you plan to do something in your area. Have a happy, healthy, victory-filled new year!

Ona Move---Ramona

MOVE 9 Parole Update

2009-11-13T10:34:00.000-08:00

The update below was just released today by MOVE:

ONA MOVE, everbody! I want to update you on the parole status of The MOVE 9. At this point everybody but Chuck Africa has seen the parole board. Chuck should see the board sometime this month or early next month. Everybody has been denied parole except Phil Africa who hasn’t received his formal response as of yet. Everybody so far has gotten a 1 year setback except Eddie who got a 2 year setback for some unexplainable reason. Everybody that has been interviewed by the parole board was denied with the same excuse that they won’t say they’re guilty (because they’re not) and we expect nothing different with Phil and Chuck. As we explained before, what they’re doing is clearly illegal and cannot be explained. This, alone, should tell people that the government has no valid reason to deny MOVE people parole or they would cite that reason instead of some illegal unreasonable nonsense about them not saying they’re guilty. These parole boards across the country cannot be allowed to continue to trample on peoples lives and freedom like this. It has to stop and we can make it stop thru pressure, thru the power of the people, if we take a serious unrelenting stand. MOVE is in the process of contacting as many media contacts as possible (local, national and international) to urge them to request interviews with the chairwoman of the Pennsylvania board and question her about the board denying people parole because they won’t say they’re guilty. Having the media from all over calling her and questioning this procedure will put pressure on the parole board. If you know of any media people with a backbone that would be interested in getting involved in this activity, let us know so we can follow up on it. In the meantime, keep the letters and phone calls going the parole board. Thanks for all of your support and remember, this issue affects inmates all over the USA, not just MOVE.

LONG LIVE REVOLUTION!!!!

THE MOVE ORGANIZATION

WURD Radio interviews MOVE 9 members

2009-08-22T16:54:00.000-07:00

WURD Radio in Philadelphia interviewed MOVE 9 members Delbert and Phil Africa, during the week of August 8, 2009 -- the 31st 'anniversary' of the Aug. 8, 1978 police assault on MOVE's home in Powelton Village, West Philadelphia.

Listen here.

New Video: The Art of Phil Africa

2009-08-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

New interview with Ramona Africa

2009-06-22T17:40:00.001-07:00

Watch the newly released interview with Ramona Africa (part one is embedded above).

Watch the whole interview here.

Articles on May 13, 1985, and the MOVE 9

2009-05-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

Dr. Lenore Jean Daniels, a regular columnist for Black Commentator and News One has written two excellent new articles: Malcolm, the MOVE Family, and the Movement You Can Believe In and White Supremacy and Law & Order

Protest for the MOVE 9 at the US Embassy in Mexico City

2009-05-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

View all the photos from May 13, 2009 here.

Eddie Africa of the MOVE 9 has been denied parole

2009-05-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

Ramona just sent out this email:

ONAMOVE, Everybody! We were just informed that the parole has again issued the first of their decisions on the MOVE 9. They have denied parole to our brother,Eddie Africa., and given him a 2 year hit (meaning they will review him again for parole in 2 years). We will send more detailed information as to the specific excuse for the denial as we receive it. Take care and never stop resisting the insanity of this system----Ramona

Canadian 'Born Black Magazine' Spotlights MOVE 9 Parole

2009-05-07T01:39:00.000-07:00

Read the full article here, as well as the Spanish translation.

Friends of MOVE Slovakia creates new resource page

2009-05-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Click here to check out the new site.

May 16, Philadelphia Rally to Free the MOVE 9

2009-05-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 16, 12-3, 11th & Market Streets, Philadelphia.
Contact: onamovellja@aol.com, 215 387 4107

Call in campaign for the MOVE 9!

2009-03-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

This email action alert has just been sent out by MOVE supporters to help the remaining eight of the MOVE 9 prisoners, who are now having parole hearings. This website was started last year when they were eligible for the first time since their August 8, 1978 arrests and subsequent convictions. An online petition and letter campaign was initiated, but despite this, the parole board denied parole to everyone(remember that the women never even faced weapons charges!) for many unfair reasons including a "lack of remorse" for a crime for which they have always maintained their innocence.

The MOVE 9 are courageous revolutionaries who deserve our support. Please read this email alert, and check out the other postings below from last years campaign for background.

---------

Download Flyer Here

ONA MOVE!

Starting this Wednesday and every Wednesday til the parole hearings are complete we are asking people to call

Chairman Katherine C. McVey at the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole at
(717) 787-5699

and demand parole for MOVE political prisoners! The MOVE 9 are members of the MOVE Organization who have now been unjustly imprisoned for the murder of police officer James Ramp stemming from the 8/8/78 attack on MOVE headquarters. As veteran Philadelphia journalist Linn Washington stated in the Cohort Media “MOVE” documentary, there is ample proof and knowledge that police “friendly fire” killed Ramp and not MOVE as the system wants people to believe. There is no reason why MOVE people should not receive parole. They have excellent prison records and have kept down racial and gang violence in prison, helped inmates fight drug addiction, mother and fathers establish relationships with their children on the outside, and have been an overall positive influence on the prison population staff and inmates. These points can be used as well when you speak to Chairman McVey. So call this Wednesday and let's tie up the phone lines in support of the MOVE 9

If you are a Facebook member blog about who you speak to and the response on the Cause page for Free the MOVE 9 (and join the cause!). This way we can keep track of the lies these people tell and coordinate our response. Network on other sites, such as MySpace, as well.

Also attached are flyers and posters. Wallpaper your community, call into radio programs, write letters to the editor. Bring these freedom fighters home!

For those of you who cannot phone, please write. Last year we had and outpouring of letters that showed the breadth and depth of Revolution! Keep it coming.

Along with Chairman Catherine C. McVey, the other eight Parole Board Members are Charles Fox, Michael L. Green, Jeffrey R. Imboden, Matthew T. Mangino, Benjamin A. Martinez, Gerard N. Massaro, Judy Viglione, Lloyd A. White.

It is best for individuals to personally send a letter to Chairman McVey, and if folks have the resources, to also send a copy to each of the other eight board members, at the same address.

[name of Board member]
Board of Probation and Parole
Attn: Inmate Inquiry
1101 South Front Street, Suite 5300
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 787-5699
WEBSITE

However, if individuals lack the resources, the letter can be sent to:

The MOVE Organization
PO Box 19709
Philadelphia, PA, 19143

We will then send a copy of your letter to all Board Members and also each of the eight MOVE prisoners (so they can present the support letters to their interviewers).

These next few weeks are crucial. Please spread the word and help in any way you can!

For the latest news about the MOVE 9 Parole campaign, please visit:
move9parole.blogspot.com
onamove.com
Abu-Jamal-News.com

Below is a sample letter for writing the Parole Board. Feel free to personalize your letter, but please keep it polite and respectful.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Regarding: 2008 Parole of Eight Prisoners:

Debbie Sims Africa #006307, Janet Holloway Africa #006308, Janine Phillips Africa #006309, Michael Davis Africa #AM-4973, Charles Sims Africa #AM-4975, William Phillips Africa #AM-4984, Delbert Orr Africa #AM-4985, and Edward Goodman Africa #AM-4974

Board of Probation and Parole
Attn: Inmate Inquiry
1101 South Front Street, Suite 5300
Harrisburg, PA 17104

Dear Members of the Board,

Please parole Chuck, Debbie, Delbert, Eddie, Janet, Janine, Mike, and Phil Africa this year. They have not caused any major disciplinary problems during the past three decades. They have spent most of their lives in prison; please allow them to be a part of, and contribute to, society as free citizens.

There are many around the world, who have different reasons for supporting parole for these eight prisoners.

--The sentencing judge stated publicly that he did not have the faintest idea who shot the one bullet that killed Officer Ramp. Nine people cannot fire one bullet.

--Many supporters of parole feel that Officer Ramp was actually shot by police "friendly fire," because it would have been ballistically impossible for MOVE to have shot Ramp, who was across the street from MOVE's house. These supporters believe that because of MOVE's position in the basement, bullets coming from there would have had an upward trajectory, yet the medical examiner testified that the bullet entered Ramp's “chest from in front and coursed horizontally without deviation up or down.” Even the authenticity of official ballistics are in dispute. At a pre-trial hearing, in open court, the Judge allowed the prosecutor to literally use a pencil and eraser to change the medical examiner's report to conform with the medical examiner's testimony about the bullet's trajectory.

This theory about the bullet's trajectory could have been tested, but MOVE's house was illegally demolished that very day, and police did nothing to preserve the crime scene, inscribe chalk marks, or measure ballistics angles. A few days before, a Philadelphia judge had signed an order barring the city from destroying the house, but this order was violated. In a preliminary hearing on a Motion to Dismiss, MOVE unsuccessfully argued that destroying their home had prevented them from proving that it was physically impossible for MOVE to have shot Ramp.

--Yet, other supporters of parole cite the average 10-15 year sentence given for third-degree murder. MOVE prisoners have now served 2-3 times this sentence. Isn't 30 years enough? Merle Africa, who has died in prison, and these surviving eight have already paid a terrible price for what happened on that day.

Lastly, I am concerned about optional stipulations that the Parole Board may require, which I feel are unfair, and which many legal scholars feel is a violation of First-Amendment rights. In the past, as a condition for parole, MOVE prisoners have unfairly been required to renounce MOVE and their deeply held religious beliefs. I am also concerned about two other possible stipulations.

First is the “taking responsibility” stipulation, which basically asks a prisoner to admit guilt in order to be granted parole. These eight MOVE prisoners have always maintained their innocence, so it is unfair to require this of them.

Second is the “serious nature of offense” stipulation. MOVE spokesperson Ramona Africa feels that this is illegal "because the judge took this into consideration and when the sentence was issued, it meant that barring any misconduct, problems, new charges, etc. this prisoner was to be released on their minimum. To deny that is basically a re-sentence."

Please do not require these optional stipulations.

I do ask that you please grant parole to these eight prisoners so that, after 30 years, they can go home to their families.

Respectfully,

( YOUR SIGNATURE )
Your Name

Your Name
Your Address

CN8 interviews Ramona Africa about the recent denial of parole to the MOVE 9

2008-08-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

As the AFR site explains: Art Fennell Reports talks with MOVE representative Ramona Africa about the corrupt parole system in Philadelphia and the bombing of 23 years ago.

Events Organized on Aug.8/9 for the MOVE 9 and Mumia

2008-07-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

Click here for more information.

Contact the Media!

2008-07-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

Let's express our outrage over the denial of parole to the MOVE 9! Please check out this sample letter and list of media contacts.

VIDEO: May 10 Philly Demo for the MOVE 9

2008-05-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: May 13 Remembered; Free the MOVE 9!

by Hans Bennett

(Watch video at You Tube)

On May 10, the MOVE organization and supporters gathered at 11th and Market to protest the imprisonment of the MOVE 9, on the 23rd anniversary of the May 13, 1985 bombing of the MOVE's West Philadelphia home. That 1985 morning, police shot over 10,000 rounds of bullets into MOVE's 6221 Osage Ave. home and detonated several explosives on both sides and the front of their house. After the confrontation came to a standstill in the afternoon, and Mayor Goode refused to negotiate with MOVE, a State Police helicopter dropped a C-4 bomb, illegally supplied by the FBI, on MOVE’s roof, which started a fire that was allowed to burn, and eventually destroyed 60 homes: the entire block of a middle-class black neighborhood. The "MOVE Commission" affirmed accounts by survivors Ramona and Birdie Africa that police shot at MOVE members when they tried to escape the burning house. That day, 11 MOVE members were killed, including 5 children and MOVE founder John Africa.

23 years later MOVE is organizing for the freedom of the remaining MOVE 9 prisoners, who are now up for parole (watch new video series). The women (Debbie, Janine, and Janet) have already been denied parole along with two of the men (Eddie and Mike). MOVE was notified today that Delbert and Phil's parole interviews have been "postponed indefinitely," and Chuck is eligible six months later than the others.

The latest in a series of videos spotlighting the MOVE 9 parole hearings, this features interviews with several supporters, including:

--Yvonne Orr, the daughter of MOVE 9 prisoner Delbert Africa

--Anne Lamb, New York City Jericho Movement

--Jeffrey Rousset, Students for a Democratic Society

--Rick Burnley, the Poet Laureate of Camp Casey, reading his poem "Raining in America" (see more at rickburnley.com)

Watch a short video about May 13, 1985, featuring Mike Africa Jr.

J. Patrick O'Connor on MOVE 9 Parole: 'Justice Be Damned'

2008-05-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

WATCH THE VIDEO!

(and also parts one and two)

On May 1, the day of his book's release, author J. Patrick O'Connor was interviewed at Philadelphia City Hall about "The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal." In part three of this interview, he condemns the recent decision by the PA Parole Board denying parole for the three remaining MOVE 9 women.

On May 2, The New York Times featured the book in an article by Jon Hurdle: "Book Asserts Black Reporter Didn't Kill White Officer in '81."

May 10 demonstration for MOVE 9 Parole

2008-05-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

MOVE is organizing a demonstration for May 10, from 12-3pm at 11th and Market, in Philadelphia.

Young Teen Gets Jaded By Justice System

2008-05-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

In his recent Philadelphia Tribune column, Linn Washington Jr. writes that the recent denial of parole for the MOVE 9 women "underscores the pollution of politics in the justice system....The reason why so many people feel racism infects law, from police to judges to prisons, results from so many being jerked by the justice system so often."
Read the full article

MOVE 9 Women Denied Parole!

2008-04-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Read MOVE's response here.

The Philadelphia Inquirer ( READ FULL ARTICLE ) announced today that the three remaining MOVE 9 women (Debbie Sims Africa, Janet Hollaway Africa and Janine Phillips Africa) were denied parole by the PA Parole Board. The Inquirer quotes parole board spokesperson Leo Dunn as saying that parole had been denied on the grounds that the three MOVE prisoners had “minimized or denied the ‘nature and circumstances’ of the offense, ‘refused to accept responsibility’ and lacked remorse. He said the fourth reason for the rejections was the ‘negative recommendation’ by the prosecutor.”

The parole board used several of the stipulations that MOVE spokesperson Ramona Africa had predicted that they would try and use to deny parole, including that they "refused to accept responsibility" and lacked remorse.... The unfairness and arguable illegality of this is so obvious, because how can you expect someone to "admit guilt" when they've always said they are innocent? Where does remorse come from if someone is actually innocent?

The “nature and circumstances” stipulation is a blatant re-sentence, since the serious nature of the charges were considered by the judge at the time when he ruled that MOVE should be eligible for parole after 30 years. How can this fairly be used to deny parole?

A further outrage is that the women never even faced weapons charges, unlike the male MOVE 9 prisoners. Because of this, it had been thought by many observers that the women would have a better chance of receiving parole.

Therefore, if this is any indication, it does not look good for the MOVE 9 men, for whom the parole decision is still pending. If supporters want to make a difference and hold the parole board accountable for these blatantly unconstitutional parole stipulations, we must increase public pressure.

This blatantly unfair decision can only serve to validate the argument that the MOVE 9 are indeed “political prisoners”.

After 30 Years, the MOVE 9 Must be Paroled

2008-04-13T20:23:00.001-07:00

Local writer David Love wrote in this week's Black Commentator that the MOVE 9 "have been exemplary prisoners, and should be released. But many would argue that they should not have been imprisoned in the first place."

Update from Ramona Africa

2008-04-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

ONA MOVE, Everybody! This is an update on the MOVE 9 parole situation.

Janine, Janet and Debbie were interviewed by Matthew Mangino in person and Judy Viglione watched on closed circuit TV. Janine told us that Mangino questioned her about the issue of innocence and then he didn't want to hear any information about MOVE's innocence. Janet and Debbie got to put out a lot of information about how many people sit in prison for 20, 30 years and have to be released because their innocence is proven so a conviction does not make a person guilty. Viglione asked Janet and Debbie a few questions about what they would be doing if they were released. The decision could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Our brothers see the parole board sometime this month but they don't have a specific date yet. My brother, Michael, was in the U.S. Marines before joining MOVE (he was around 17 years old) and after being around MOVE he decided not to go back to the Marines. He was AWOL (away without official leave). The Military Police came to MOVE Hq. and JOHN AFRICA gave them some serious information-they never came back. Now over 35 years later, when prison officials interviewed Michael to decide if they would recommend him for parole or not, they bring up this issue of Michael going AWOL from the military when he was 17.

It's obvious that this government does not want MOVE people on the street again so we have to keep the pressure on them so they have no choice but to release innocent MOVE people. Stay strong and keep sending letters to the parole board, keep the pressure on. Ona Move----Ramona

Videos from press conference at State Capitol

2008-03-28T00:10:00.001-07:00

Please check out the new videos from Wednesday’s press conference supporting parole for the MOVE 9, that took place at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg.

EDITED Press Conference pt. 1/2 (watch here)

EDITED Press Conference pt. 2/2 (watch here)

45 minute unedited version on Google Video (watch here)

These next few days are your last chance to sign the online petition, and more importantly to write a letter to the Parole Board, because we will be sending the petition in on Monday. The interviews for the MOVE women have been scheduled for April 8, and the interviews for the men are also expected in the first week or two in April, so TIME IS SHORT TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Was Officer Ramp killed by police gunfire? An interview with Linn Washington Jr.

2008-03-07T16:05:00.000-08:00

MOVE 9 Parole Hearings in April!

--Was Officer Ramp killed by police gunfire? An interview with Linn Washington Jr.

by Hans Bennett

Almost 30 years after their imprisonment, the eight remaining "MOVE 9" prisoners are now eligible for parole (see Philadelphia Inquirer and Metro articles). April hearings are scheduled for only seven, because Chuck Africa is eligible six months later than the others. In early April, they will be interviewed on an individual basis, and ultimately a majority 5/9 vote among the nine Parole Board Members will be needed for each prisoner's release on parole.

With the hearings just weeks away, MOVE is asking for support by contacting the Parole Board and signing the online petition. A new series of videos about the parole hearings features interviews with MOVE members Ramona Africa (the sole adult survivor of the May 13, 1985 police bombing of MOVE headquarters) and Mike Africa Jr. (the son of MOVE 9 prisoners Debbie and Mike Sr.). Ramona recently spoke in Harrisburg about parole, and the new Ona Move Newsletter has just been released.

Following the shooting death of Philadelphia Police Officer James Ramp during the Aug. 8, 1978 police siege on MOVE's headquarters in West Philadelphia, MOVE members Janine, Debbie, Janet, Merle, Delbert, Mike, Phil, Eddie, and Chuck Africa were convicted of 3rd degree murder, conspiracy, and multiple counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault. Each was given a sentence of 30-100 years. The MOVE 9 are widely considered to be political prisoners. Both the evidence and the fairness of the MOVE 9 trial have been hotly contested by MOVE and others (READ MORE).

Following their conviction, the presiding Judge admitted that he had "absolutely no idea” who had actually shot Officer Ramp, and explained that since MOVE called itself a family, he sentenced them as such. In a recent newsletter, MOVE argues that if they had shot from the basement, the bullet would have been coming at an “upward” trajectory instead of the “horizontal” and “downward” accounts that had been presented. This crucial point aside, MOVE also argues that it would have been essentially impossible to take a clean shot at that time. The water in the basement, estimated more than 7 feet deep, forced the adults to hold up children and animals to prevent them from drowning. “The water pressure was so powerful it was picking up 6 foot long railroad ties (beams that were part of our fence) and throwing them through the basement windows in on us. There’s no way anybody could have stood up against this type of water pressure, debris, and shoot a gun, or aim to kill somebody.”

Veteran Philadelphia journalist Linn Washington Jr. reported from the scene on August 8, 1978. In this exclusive interview, Washington cites several sources in the police department who told him that Officer James Ramp was actually shot by police gunfire, and not MOVE.

This interview has been edited into short audio clips: Was Officer Ramp Killed By Police Gunfire?, The Illegal Destruction of MOVE's House, Manipulation of Evidence and Media Bias, Ed Rendell and Prison Guard Violence Against MOVE, MOVE 9 Parole and Unfair Stipulations, and May 13, 1985 and American Justice. The unedited segment about MOVE is also available with the full, one-hour interview from May, 2007.

A graduate of the Yale Law Journalism Fellowship Program, Linn Washington Jr. is currently a Professor of Journalism at Temple University and a columnist for the Philadelphia Tribune Newspaper. He was prominently featured in the recent documentary on MOVE, made by Cohort Media and narrated by Howard Zinn (Watch in full or on You Tube).

Hans Bennett: In the recent documentary on MOVE, you cite your sources within the police department who told you that the police know Ramp was killed by police gunfire. Can you say anything more about this?

Linn Washington Jr: I will confirm that I was told that by my sources in the police department. However, I have never identified the sources to MOVE, and I will never identify them to anyone else.

But I will tell you this.

Officer Ramp was allegedly shot and killed by a bullet that came from a weapon that fired a .223 caliber round. .223 is the same caliber used in an M-16. Inside MOVE’s house, police claimed that they found four carbines called Mini-14’s, made by Ruger and they fired this .223 round.

The day immediately after the shootout, police were claiming that not a single officer out there that day carried that particular type of weapon. About three weeks later, during the pre-trial proceedings, the police department began to acknowledge the fact that there were police officers who had the Mini-14s firing the .223 rounds. They first said that they had just been out there, but not near the scene. Then, subsequent reports put the officers with those guns closer to the scene, however the official version was “Yes, they were part of the assault, but no, they never fired their weapon.”

So, if in fact, there were no improprieties, why the constantly changing stories and why the heavy-handed cover-up?

There’s another thing, and this is where the destruction of the property precluded a thorough examination, as well as how the trial was handled by MOVE and when the court-appointed attorneys came in, it really became a circus.

But let’s think about this for a minute. You don’t have to be a ballistician to figure this one out. It’s just common sense. You’ve got four male MOVE members in the basement allegedly armed, according to police testimony. A basement by its very nature means it’s below ground level. They’re allegedly firing out of windows, and let’s understand, this was not like The Alamo where people are close up at the window and shooting out. They’re away from the windows, hiding behind pillars in the basement. So, anything they’re shooting out of the windows has to be at an upward trajectory. They would have to shoot up to get out the window.

Ramp was directly across the street at ground level. So how could something hit him in what was said to be a downward type angle when MOVE members were firing upward from that basement?

Okay, maybe the bullet could have ricocheted a little bit. The apartment building across the street from the old MOVE compound is a brick building. However, their compound was made of wood, so the idea that the bullet ricocheted off the brick, back towards MOVE’s house, and then back again to hit Ramp somewhere near ground level, is highly problematic.

Furthermore, the .223 bullet is actually a very small, light weight bullet. Since it’s a very light bullet it will likely break up bouncing back and forth off a brick wall. It’s not going to maintain its integrity and be able to ricochet back and forth a couple times. Unless this was a bullet like the one that Arlen Specter, when he worked for the Warren Commission, said killed Kennedy. You know, one able to change directions in the air a couple times? It’s questionable to unlikely that the bullet that killed Ramp came from that basement.

But, it’s hard for anyone to ever know, because police destroyed evidence. Earlier that year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that it’s illegal for authorities to destroy a crime scene before the defense has a chance to examine it.

Furthermore, a couple days before the Aug. 8, raid, a Philadelphia judge signed an order barring the city from destroying the MOVE house. Yet, the city did it in violation of this order.

And guess what? They were never called to account for violating that court order. There are copies of the court order too, so they can’t say that it does not exist.

One of my most vivid memories was of MOVE’s house being destroyed around 1:30 that afternoon, just hours after MOVE’s arrest. The shoot out had stopped around 10:30, and the last MOVE person was out around 11:00.

The police had dumped 250,000 gallons of water into the basement. I know this because I was hiding behind the pumping truck that they used for the water cannon when the shooting started. I was talking to the guy as he was pumping the water in. So I know how much water went into that basement. It was a darkened basement filled with water and tear gas, and you can not adequately do an investigation of that within a few hours. Yet police claimed they conducted a thorough investigation and then they tore the compound down.

So, the destruction of evidence alone raises serious questions about the propriety of the evidence used for the charges against them.

HB: Why do you think they destroyed it?

LW: I think they tore down the house in part because they wanted to destroy evidence. Mayor Frank “the racist” Rizzo’s administration and Police Commissioner O’Neill claimed they tore it down because they didn’t want it to become a shrine for MOVE and they felt that they could not maintain security around the house to prevent MOVE people from occupying it again.

The patent absurdity of that is shown by this: From the beginning of March to around the middle of April, 1978, the police enacted a starvation blockade around the house where they sealed off a whole section of Powelton Village, and did not let anyone in or out. People that lived there had to have special passes like in South Africa to get in and out of their homes. So the notion that police couldn’t adequately secure the house is absolutely absurd.

One point of view is that the destruction of evidence destroyed any semblance of a fair trial.

You asked about “vivid memories,” and I remember covering one of the early preliminary hearings. It was held in prison, where they brought in a mini-courtroom and a presiding judge (who was later fired for corruption). I remember vividly when the medical examiner came in and gave his testimony based on the autopsy report related to James Ramp, the officer who was killed.

The medical examiner testified to one thing, in terms of how the bullet entered the body and such. Then, when the prosecutor was getting ready to introduce the medical examiner’s report as evidence, he looked at the first couple paragraphs, and said “Oh, your honor, the medical report here does not conform with the testimony you just heard, let me correct it right here.” This dude pulled out a pencil and changed the damn report right in the courtroom, and then introduced it as evidence. Unbelievably, the judge accepted it!

Once again, this was a very fundamental and egregious violation of procedures. I left the courtroom and called my boss at the Philadelphia Journal, where I was working at the time. I was told, “Yeah, okay, well, we’ll talk about it when you get back.” I was also covering it for the United Press International (UPI) news service, so I called them up, but they told me they weren’t interested.

I said, “Wait a minute. This whole confrontation between the city of Philadelphia and MOVE, starting from 1972, has been about double-standards of justice and violations of rules and procedures. Here you have a clear example of one, and it’s not newsworthy?” UPI answered: “No. It’s not newsworthy, Linn. If you find something else out, give me a call back.”

HB: So, did anybody use your story?

LW: No!

Nobody used it because they didn’t think it was important. This is a separate argument from whether MOVE is right or wrong, but when you look at the media coverage of MOVE, everything that was perceived as MOVE doing something wrong, was publicized. In contrast, the attacks on MOVE, the injustices, and the deprivations that they endured never found any coverage in the mainstream media. I know it was covered in the Tribune because I was covering for them. It was also on black radio stations because there were black reporters that believed that you should be fair and balanced, and we were criticized for it, Mumia being one of them. This was just because we felt that there were two sides to the story. We weren’t taking MOVE’s side, but we felt they had a legitimate side that needed to be accurately presented.

If they’re getting beaten up, the women getting kicked in the vagina and having miscarried babies, that should be a news story.

February of 1978, there were MOVE members being held in the Philadelphia prisons. The guards jumped on these guys and beat them horribly and then turned around and charged them with assault on the prison guards.

Now, MOVE would normally say, “No, we don’t participate in any kind of cooperation with the system, because we know the system is corrupt.” But, in this particular instance, they said “We’ll cooperate just to show that even if we do cooperate, it won’t mean anything.” So they cooperated with the DA’s office (then headed by Ed Rendell), and after a lengthy investigation, the DA concluded that the victims had indeed been MOVE, who had been attacked by the guards.

So, that meant that the prison guards should have been charged with assault and other crimes. However, Rendell’s office concluded that the appropriate action was not to take any action against the guards, but rather to simply drop the false charges against the MOVE members.

Now, filing a false police report is a crime, as well as lying about something in the report. There are many crimes short of assault (that had been proven in the investigation) that could have been brought against them, but they didn’t do anything.

And, you know what? Little of this that I just told you about that confrontation at the prison ever got into the news media.

HB: Do you think the MOVE 9 should be granted parole in 2008?

LW: Parole is supposedly based on adjustment to prison. From what I understand, there have been few infractions, if any at all. So, the short answer is yes.

They’ve served 30 years in jail for a third-degree murder conviction. The average sentence for third-degree murder is 10-15 years, so they’ve already served twice that. So, yes, they should be released.

Will that happen? I don’t think so.

The Parole Board has a couple of arguably illegal standards in place. One of them says you have to accept responsibility for your crime. But, if you’ve maintained your innocence the whole time you’re in there, how can you say “Okay, I did it?”

This next standard is clearly illegal. It will demand that for MOVE members to be released without serving their full sentence, they will have to renounce membership in MOVE. This is something that would easily happen in China, North Korea, or Russia, saying “You have to denounce these un-communist feelings that you have.” But in America, we’re not supposed to do that. But we do that in Pennsylvania with MOVE members, and nobody says that it’s a problem.

Once again, this is another example of what I was saying at the beginning of our conversation, that there is a big gap between what America says it is and what it actually does.

--Hans Bennett is an independent journalist based in Philadelphia (insubordination.blogspot.com) and co-founder of Journalists for Mumia (Abu-Jamal-News.com).

Call, Sign Petition, and Write a Letter for The MOVE 9!

2008-03-06T00:34:00.000-08:00

SIGN THE PETITION / DOWNLOAD SAMPLE LETTER

--Watch new videos about the Parole Hearings, featuring Ramona Africa and Mike Africa Jr.

Almost 30 years after their 1978 imprisonment, the eight remaining "MOVE 9" prisoners are now eligible for parole. April hearings are scheduled for Debbie, Delbert, Eddie, Janet, Janine, Mike, and Phil Africa (Chuck is eligible six months later than the others). In early April, they will be interviewed on an individual basis, and ultimately a majority 5/9 vote among the nine Parole Board Members will be needed for each prisoner's release on parole.

At this urgent time, MOVE is asking for support by writing letters, making telephone calls (717-787-5699), and signing the online petition that will be delivered to the Board later this month.

Along with Chairman Catherine C. McVey, the other eight Parole Board Members are Charles Fox, Michael L. Green, Jeffrey R. Imboden, Matthew T. Mangino, Benjamin A. Martinez, Gerard N. Massaro, Judy Viglione, Lloyd A. White.

It is best for individuals to personally send a letter to Chairman McVey, and if folks have the resources, to also send a copy to each of the other eight board members, at the same address.

[name of Board member]
Board of Probation and Parole
Attn: Inmate Inquiry
1101 South Front Street, Suite 5300
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 787-5699
WEBSITE

However, if individuals lack the resources, the letter can be sent to:

Journalists for Mumia Abu-Jamal
PO Box 30770
Philadelphia, PA, 19104

We will then send a copy of your letter to all Board Members and also each of the eight MOVE prisoners (so they can present the support letters to their interviewers).

These next few weeks are crucial. Please spread the word and help in any way you can!

For the latest news about the MOVE 9 Parole campaign, please visit:
move9parole.blogspot.com
onamove.com
Abu-Jamal-News.com

Below is a sample letter for writing the Parole Board. Feel free to personalize your letter, but please keep it polite and respectful.

SAMPLE LETTER (download as word file):

Regarding: 2008 Parole of Eight Prisoners:

Debbie Sims Africa #006307, Janet Holloway Africa #006308, Janine Phillips Africa #006309, Michael Davis Africa #AM-4973, Charles Sims Africa #AM-4975, William Phillips Africa #AM-4984, Delbert Orr Africa #AM-4985, and Edward Goodman Africa #AM-4974

Board of Probation and Parole
Attn: Inmate Inquiry
1101 South Front Street, Suite 5300
Harrisburg, PA 17104

Dear Members of the Board,

Please parole Chuck, Debbie, Delbert, Eddie, Janet, Janine, Mike, and Phil Africa this year. They have not caused any major disciplinary problems during the past three decades. They have spent most of their lives in prison; please allow them to be a part of, and contribute to, society as free citizens.

There are many around the world, who have different reasons for supporting parole for these eight prisoners.

--The sentencing judge stated publicly that he did not have the faintest idea who shot the one bullet that killed Officer Ramp. Nine people cannot fire one bullet.

--Many supporters of parole feel that Officer Ramp was actually shot by police "friendly fire," because it would have been ballistically impossible for MOVE to have shot Ramp, who was across the street from MOVE's house. These supporters believe that because of MOVE's position in the basement, bullets coming from there would have had an upward trajectory, yet the medical examiner testified that the bullet entered Ramp's “chest from in front and coursed horizontally without deviation up or down.” Even the authenticity of official ballistics are in dispute. At a pre-trial hearing, in open court, the Judge allowed the prosecutor to literally use a pencil and eraser to change the medical examiner's report to conform with the medical examiner's testimony about the bullet's trajectory.

This theory about the bullet's trajectory could have been tested, but MOVE's house was illegally demolished that very day, and police did nothing to preserve the crime scene, inscribe chalk marks, or measure ballistics angles. A few days before, a Philadelphia judge had signed an order barring the city from destroying the house, but this order was violated. In a preliminary hearing on a Motion to Dismiss, MOVE unsuccessfully argued that destroying their home had prevented them from proving that it was physically impossible for MOVE to have shot Ramp.

--Yet, other supporters of parole cite the average 10-15 year sentence given for third-degree murder. MOVE prisoners have now served 2-3 times this sentence. Isn't 30 years enough? Merle Africa, who has died in prison, and these surviving eight have already paid a terrible price for what happened on that day.

Lastly, I am concerned about optional stipulations that the Parole Board may require, which I feel are unfair, and which many legal scholars feel is a violation of First-Amendment rights. In the past, as a condition for parole, MOVE prisoners have unfairly been required to renounce MOVE and their deeply held religious beliefs. I am also concerned about two other possible stipulations.

First is the “taking responsibility” stipulation, which basically asks a prisoner to admit guilt in order to be granted parole. These eight MOVE prisoners have always maintained their innocence, so it is unfair to require this of them.

Second is the “serious nature of offense” stipulation. MOVE spokesperson Ramona Africa feels that this is illegal "because the judge took this into consideration and when the sentence was issued, it meant that barring any misconduct, problems, new charges, etc. this prisoner was to be released on their minimum. To deny that is basically a re-sentence."

Please do not require these optional stipulations.

I do ask that you please grant parole to these eight prisoners so that, after 30 years, they can go home to their families.

Respectfully,

( YOUR SIGNATURE )
Your Name

Your Name
Your Address

VIDEO: Ramona Africa interview about the MOVE 9 Parole Hearings

2008-03-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

(also see the new interview with Mike Africa Jr.)

In this new interview, Ramona Africa talks about the upcoming MOVE 9 Parole Hearings that are scheduled for April. MOVE is asking for support. Stay tuned for an online petition and sample letter to send to the Parole Board. Visit the new move9parole.blogspot.com site created for this important time.

Ramona Africa is the sole adult survivor of the May 13, 1985 massacre of 11 members of the MOVE organization. The FBI and the City of Philadelphia dropped a C4 bomb on MOVE's Osage Avenue home in West Philadelphia. Both 30-year old Ramona and 13-year old Birdie Africa (the only 2 survivors) report that as the MOVE family attempted to escape their burning home, their were met with massive rounds of automatic gunfire, forcing 11 members of the MOVE family to be burnt alive. Ramona dodged gunfire and escaped from the fire with permanent scarring from the burns.

Ramona was charged with conspiracy, riot, and multiple counts of simple and aggravated assault. Subsequently Ramona served 7 years in prison. If she had chosen to sever her ties with MOVE and renounce the teachings of John Africa, she could have been released far earlier. In the face of this she held true to her revolutionary beliefs and was uncompromising in the face of state terror. In his essay, "May 13 Remembered," featured in his book "All Things Censored," Mumia Abu-Jamal writes:

"Had Ramona Africa emerged from the sea of flames wrapped in fear, had she not instead escaped with her aura of resistance intact, she would have been free long before the seven years she spent in a hellhole. Her prosecutor, describing MOVE as a cult of resistance, demanded the jury convict her of a range of charges that, if they did so, would have exposed her to fifty years in prison. Only her naturalist faith, the teachings of John Africa, allowed her to competently defend herself, where she beat the majority of the charges. Ramona is "free" today."

Since her release from prison, Ramona has tirelessly worked on behalf of the MOVE 9, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and all political prisoners and prisoners of war. She travels around the world, working for the revolution.

VIDEO: Mike Africa Jr. interview about the MOVE 9 Parole Hearings

2008-03-02T04:21:00.000-08:00

VIDEO: Mike Africa Jr. interview about the MOVE 9 Parole Hearings

by Hans Bennett

Abu-Jamal-News.com

Watch video here.

Along with excerpts of archival footage from the Cohort Media documentary titled "MOVE", this video features a new interview with MOVE member Mike Africa Jr.

Born in prison, he is the son of MOVE prisoners Mike Sr. and Debbie Africa, who are both eligible for parole in 2008, after 30 years in prison, along with the six other remaining MOVE prisoners. This video is the first in a series of videos to be released in the weeks leading up to the Parole Hearings in April.

Recently I have written an article on The MOVE 9 and interviewed journalist Linn Washington Jr. about covering MOVE since the 1970s. Also, Ramona Africa recently was interviewed by Uprising Radio. And of course, there is the documentary about MOVE, narrated by Howard Zinn, viewable online at Brightcove or You Tube. MOVE's website is onamove.com

This April parole hearing is SO important. Letters and calls to the Parole Board now can really help.

The eight remaining prisoners are Janine, Debbie, Janet, Delbert, Mike, Phil, Eddie, and Chuck Africa.

It is probably a good idea for folks to send letters to each of the nine Board members. The chairperson was appointed by Ed "1985 Bomber" Rendell so don't count on her getting your message to the whole Board. Their individual names are on this web page:

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/pbppinfo/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=154178&pbppNav=|

Letters can all be sent to this address:

[name of Board member], Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, 1101 South Front Street, Suite #5100, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2517, tel: (717) 787-5699

Please send copies of the letters to Phil Africa at:

William Phillips Africa #AM-4984, SCI-Dallas, 1000 Follies Rd., Dallas, PA 18612

Stay tuned for more information and coverage in the coming months!