https://socialistaction.org/2019/06/26/free-at-last-three-members-of-the-move-9-released-from-prison/
Free at last! Three members of the MOVE 9 released from prison
/ 2 days ago
July 2019 MOVE photo
Photo includes from far left: Fred Riley, Carlos Africa, Eddie in the
middle, his son Little Eddie, daughter in law Sukona, and Raymond Africa Jr.
(Photo courtesy of MOVE)
By STEVE XAVIER
Political prisoner Eddie Goodman Africa, a member of the MOVE 9, was
released from prison on the morning of June 2, after 40 years of unjust
incarceration. Janet Holloway Africa and Janine Phillips Africa were
also released recently (on May 25), becoming the third and fourth MOVE
members to be set free after spending four decades in prison. MOVE
member Mike Africa Sr. was paroled in October of 2018, and Debbie Sims
Africa was set free in June of 2018.
Two MOVE 9 prisoners, Phil and Merle Africa, died in prison. Two members
of the MOVE 9, Chuck and Delbert Africa, remain incarcerated. The fight
to gain freedom for the remaining incarcerated MOVE members, and all
other prisoners, must be redoubled.
In a press release, Attorney Brad Thomson said, ???Eddie???s release is a
victory for him, his family, and the movement that has been fighting for
his freedom. This is the newest chapter in the decades-long struggle to
free all the MOVE 9, which is a struggle that continues with the fight
to free Delbert and Chuck Africa, who are both up for parole this year.???
Speaking at a press conference in Philadelphia on June 27, Eddie Africa
spoke about his struggles in prison, the loss of Phil and Merle, and the
need to reach youth before they get sent to prison. Eddie talked about
coming home, saying, ???It???s good to be with family. I???m telling you now,
as I told them then, I am innocent. I did not???we did not???kill Ramp. They
know we didn???t do it. I???ve had parole agents tell me they know we didn???t
kill the cop, but somebody???s got to pay. So, they chose us.???
Following Eddie???s comments, Janine Africa took the mike. She said, ???It???s
really emotional because Delbert should be here too. And it???s hard to
leave your family behind. They [Eddie and Delbert] have been through a
lot together. They were beaten together. They spent time down at
Holmesburg, where they were attacked defending us [referring to the MOVE
9 women prisoners] because we were attacked. They???ve been through a lot,
and there???s no reason that Delbert???s not here except that he???s a MOVE
member.???
1978 Powelton Village confrontation
Founded by John Africa in 1972, the MOVE organization was persecuted by
Philadelphia cops from the beginning. Philly cops were, and still are,
notorious for targeting Black activists. Frank Rizzo, a Philly cop
turned police chief, and later mayor, was a hardcore racist and
reactionary who encouraged his cops to treat Black people with
disrespect and brutality.
Beginning in 1977, cops blockaded MOVE???s house in the Powelton Village
section of Philadelphia. The attempt to force MOVE out included a 50-day
siege in which no one was allowed in or out of the house and water was
shut off.
On Aug. 8, 1978, at 4 a.m., 600 police surrounded the house on N. 33rd
St. ???The police made the first move. O???Neill ordered a bulldozer, which
had a Lexan plastic shield to protect the operator from gunfire, to mow
down the barricade. A long-armed ram tore the windows out of the upper
floors. With the windows gone, fire hoses threw streams of water into
the house??? (???Frank Rizzo, The Last Big Man In Big City America??? by S.A
Paolantonio).
Shortly after 8 a.m., shooting started and Officer James Ramp was struck
and killed, likely by police fire. Police rained bullets into the house,
as well as tear gas???and more water blasted from fire trucks. MOVE
members surrendered and cops savagely beat Delbert Africa in full view
of news cameras. Police commanders ordered the house destroyed with
heavy equipment later the same day, destroying any remaining forensic
evidence. Police claimed that they found 11 or 12 weapons in the house.
Nine MOVE members were tried and convicted in the death of Officer Ramp,
in spite of evidence that he was killed by the gunfire of other cops.
Sentences in the case ranged from 30 to 100 years. MOVE founder, John
Africa, was found not guilty on Federal conspiracy and weapons charges.
Three cops who participated in the beating of Delbert Africa were later
acquitted. Speaking at a support rally for the 3 cops, the head of the
cop union said, ???They should have killed them all.???
???At his press conference following the cop assault, Frank Rizzo, then
the mayor, looked directly at Mumia (Abu-Jamal) and declared that a ???new
breed of journalism??? was to blame for Ramp???s death and that someday
those like Mumia were ???going to have to be held responsible and
accountable.?????? (???The Fight to Free Mumia Jamal??? by Rachel Wolkenstein)
1985 MOVE bombing
After the frame-up trial of the MOVE 9, the organization moved to West
Philadelphia and continued to advocate for the freedom of their
comrades. Their tactics to pressure the authorities included the use of
a loud sound system. Police harassment of MOVE continued.
On May 13, 1985, Philly cops surrounded the MOVE house on Osage Avenue
in West Philadelphia. Police Commissioner Sambor shouted into a
bullhorn, ???Attention MOVE! This is America! You have to abide by the
laws of the United States!??? Afterwards, two assault teams entered the
houses on either side of 6221 Osage carrying explosives and automatic
weapons. In an attack lasting for hours, police used plastic explosives
to try to breach holes in the walls between the row homes in order to
pump tear gas into the house. Police bombs blew the front of the house off.
Police fired more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition in 90 minutes. Fire
trucks deluged the house with 450,000 gallons of water. Later that day,
a police helicopter dropped a bomb on the roof of the house in order to
get rid of what cops and the media term as a ???bunker??? and a fire broke
out. Police Commissioner Gregore J. Sambor and Fire Commissioner William
C. Richmond decided to let the fire burn in order to take out the
alleged bunker. The fire burned out of control, destroying 61 homes and
leaving more than 250 people homeless. Children trying to flee the
burning building were fired on by cops, driving them back inside.
Six adult members of MOVE, including founder John Africa, and five
children were killed. Hundreds who had gathered on surrounding streets
shouted, ???Murderers!??? at police. Not one of the cops or city officials
who perpetrated this crime served a day in jail. One of the two
survivors, Ramona Africa, is the only person to serve any jail time in
this whole catastrophe.
Continue the fight!
The Philadelphia police continue to commit acts of violence against
Black and Brown communities. Recently, researchers revealed that
hundreds of Philadelphia police officers had made racist posts on social
media. Seventy-two Philadelphia cops are on desk duty pending
investigation of their racist posts.
The struggle to free Chuck and Delbert Africa must now be redoubled
until they are allowed to return home. Similarly, the legal battle to
free Mumia Abu-Jamal continues. Mumia???s health is failing, and efforts
to get him the medical care he needs and release him from prison continues.
Additionally, Black Panther political prisoners and Black Liberation
Army (BLA) prisoners of war remain behind bars. In Pennsylvania, this
includes Russell ???Maroon??? Shoatz, who has spent almost 50 years in
prison, including 22 in solitary. Free Chuck and Delbert Africa! Free
Mumia and all political prisoners!
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June 26, 2019 in Black Liberation, Philadelphia, Prisons. Tags: MOVE
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??? Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. ???
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