August 8 for the MOVE 9

FREE THE MOVE 9!! FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!
*
From: *ONAMOVELLJA@aol.com
Date: *July 30, 2012

As most of you know, august 8th marks 34 years of unjust imprisonment
for The MOVE 9. We are pushing for as many radio programs as possible
and as many newspapers as possible focus on The MOVE 9 on or as close to
August 8th as possible. The prison radio project has recorded a
statement from Mumia Abu Jamal and is working on recordings from Janine
Africa & Mike Africa (2 of The MOVE 9). These statements can be
downloaded and played on radio programs. For our supporters that are
not affiliated with a radio program, you listen to these statements
and/or download them to CDs. The prison radio web site
www.prisonradio.org Look for updated info
as we get closer to August. In the meantime, take care and be
well----Ramona
-----------------

Letter from Janine Africa of the Move 9 (political prisoners of the MOVE
Organization) for the Sao Paulo Forum held July 4-6 2012 in Caracas,
Venezuela

On the MOVE

This is Janine Africa, one of the MOVE 9 who were sentenced to 30-100
years for a crime we didn’t commit. We’ve been in prison since 1978 and
have been denied parole 3 times so far because we refuse to lie and say
we’re guilty.

My thoughts on ending the U.S. Blockade of Cuba is this… I feel the U.S.
condemnation of the Cuban government is like calling the kettle black!
The u.s. government is doing the same things they’re punishing Cuba for.
The u.s. prisons are full of political prisoners, people like the MOVE
9, who dared to tell the _truth _ about this country’s corrupt
practices. This government has innocent people in prison, have _executed
_people that was proven to be innocent because they were a minority,
money poor and seen as worthless. Police shooting people down,
hand-cuffed and in the back and unarmed and getting away with it, just
like other police states.

The economy is set to protect the rich. The majority in _this _country
is struggling, living in cars, subways, alleys, eating out of trash
cans. The conditions here are the _same_ as the conditions in Cuba. Cuba
is a poor country so the conditions of the majority are harsher. The
u.s. blockade is only affecting the poor who are already suffering. This
blockade isn’t out of concern for the _people_or to “protect democracy”.
This is being done for political advantage, its an attempt to bend the
Cuban government to the u.s. rules. The u.s. only gets involved in other
countries affairs when its something in it for _them_. If the u.s. was
truly against injustice, persecution, crime- it would show here in
_their_ own country. There is no equality, justice in America. The u.s.
need to clean up its own backyard first before trying to control other
countries.

On the MOVE Janine Africa

------------------

On The Move!

By Michael Davis Africa

On August 8, 1978, the Move organization’s headquarters was attacked in
a pre-dawn raid by several hundred Philadelphia cops and officials.
Under cover of smoke, tear gas, and thousands of gallons of water from
water cannons, the cops fired thousands of bullets from all directions.
During the assault one cop was killed, and several other cops and
firemen were wounded, all from police fire. However, Move members were
charged for the assault we all miraculously survived.

We were all given a sentence of 30-100 years in a railroad trial. That
30 year minimum was up as of August 2008, and we were given our first
parole denial. The parole board has denied us our freedom four more
times, making it perfectly clear to all those that didn’t understand
their role that they fully intend to finish up where the cops and city
officials left off.

While there has always been some debate about the guilt of the men, one
fact that has never been disputed is the innocence of the women. Police
on the scene, the D.A., and the courts all collectively agree that none
of the Move women could possibly be guilty of the death of that cop.
Yet, they are still languishing in prison. Victimized by the same cops
and officials that dropped a bomb, brutally murdering _their_ children
on May 13, 1985. A heinous attack broadcast live nationally captured the
cops murdering babies, unarmed Move women and men. Not a single cop or
official was even charged.

Debbie, Janet, and Janine have spent the last 34 years of their lives in
prison for a crime city officials know they could not possibly be guilty
of. However, the parole board, at the insistence _of_ Philadelphia
officials, continues to deny their release. Even worse, the parole board
actually gives the Move women longer sanctions than they do even men.

The issue is not what the parole board will do on the 5^th or 6^th
time around. Anyone claiming to be conscious knows full well that the
“decision” they claim to be contemplating in 2012 was already decided
back in 1978 when we survived their murderous assault.

So the issue ain’t what the parole board will “decide”, the real issue
is what _the people _will *_allow_*_._ The parole board, like all public
officials, make those decisions in the _name_ of the people, and when
_the people_ demand justice, it will happen. Look at Sanford, Florida.
Look at L.A. in the wake of Rodney King. It’s _the people_ that have the
power to effect real change.

If people want to know just how the government can get away with giving
Marissa Alexander a 20 year sentence for simply trying to protect
herself in 2012, it’s because the people were silent as the cops
attacked in 1978.

If people want to know why Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, Trayvon Martin, and
countless other Black, Latino, and poor whites continue to be caught on
film being brutalized and murdered with impunity, it’s because the
people seem to forget 1985, and every other atrocity, _until it becomes
*their* turn._

All those that sit back in the face of the oppression of your brothers
and sisters, remaining silent as poor folks’ children are murdered and
sent away like slaves to the many prisons scattered through-out this
country, refusing to support those who_do_ resist and fight, only
further encourage the system to _keep_ assaulting. Because finally,
people’s apathy and silence _is_ their permission.

People have to demand justice not just from the 1%, but also from the
masses in the ranks of the 99% who will never fight to occupy anything
other than jobs that exploit on behalf of the 1%. Cops, parole agents,
prison guards, judges, and all of the many others feeding from the
bottomless trough of the law enforcement budget, comes directly from the
ranks of the 99%. They feed their families by enslaving yours.

The army that enforces hegemony for the U.S. industrialists is made up
of the 99%. The workers that foreclose on your home, that cut off all
your utilities in mid-winter, that dispense poison chemicals into your
food and water at the behest of the 1%, come from the 99%.

So finally, how is the person that takes a job executing people any
different than the person that legislated the racist policy. Try to make
that distinction to the person _being_ executed.

A _just_ person would refuse to carry out an _unjust_ order.

_The People_ must close its ranks to _all_ agents of repression and
_demand_ justice for all our sisters and brothers.


_Free our Move sisters!! Free all of our soldiers!! Free all political
prisoners!!_

_ _

On the Move!

Michael Davis Africa

The Move Organization


_Long Live John Africa!!!_

Who is Delbert Orr Africa (in a snapshot)

by Yvonne Orr on Friday, May 13, 2011

Delbert Orr Africa is a political prisoner who
has been wrongfully incarcerated for over 30
years. Delbert Orr was born June 21, 1951 (this
is the media published date, NOT the real one
which will remain undisclosed...for the record,
my dad is actually 65...do the math =).  As a
young man he joined the Chicago Chapter of the
Black Panther Party, where he met my mom. A
loving relationship ensued with her being a
feisty officer of the BPP and him being a nubuck
in the game of stand-up-for-yourself
revolution.  In 1969 the FBI put forth false
warrants on the Chicago BPP leadership, including
my parents.  They and others then fled to Canada
and birthed One Phoenix Rising...they originally
named me Malaika.  They struggled to get any
financial support while in exile and started
carrying out bank expropriations to sustain
themselves. I was born in a shack, by the water
with no medical personnel, just a young woman (who
had finished high school at 16, college at 19 and
been declared a Mensa member) dead set on ensuring
that I would have a life.

 In October of 1969 Delbert had been back in
Chicago.  As he was driving back to Canada he
crashed and ended up in the hospital. Later, my
mom got word that he was the sole survivor of the
accident and unable to walk. She spoke of
bringing me back to Chicago, but he warned of
raids being enacted against the BPP in Chicago.
In December 1969, Fred Hampton, Sr. was murdered
and they knew we had to head elsewhere.

In March of 1970 Delbert and three other friends
decided to head down to Philadelphia because one
of them was originally from there.  It was there
in Philadelphia that he met members of the MOVE
organization.  He was inspired by their uplifting
approach to revolution and stayed on with them.
My mom stayed in Philly for a few years and
brought me back to Chicago in 1973. Meanwhile,
Delbert ended up becoming Minister of
Confrontation and Security for the MOVE Organization.


MOVE vs. The police

After countless false charges, ongoing harassment
and many altercations, police finally decided
that it was time for MOVE to be vanquished. When
the police raided the MOVE house in August 1978,
Delbert was the one videotaped being beaten
brutally by police.  He suffered a broken jaw and
fractured eye socket from the attack.


Life in Prison

Delbert started his prison sentence out in the
"hole" for 6 years in a Dallas prison for
refusing to break his religious beliefs and cut
his hair. I was not allowed to visit with him
during this time. In fact, on one occasion my
Granny-- who didnt' drive-- enlisted her
girlfriend to drive us from Texas to Philly after
getting word that we could see him. Some 20 odd
hours later, we were denied because my birth
certificate "didn't look right". We traveled back
with me in tears. I did get to see him a year 1/2
later, though, making the same trek as
before.   In December 1989 he was transferred out
of Dallas, they had riots at Camp Hill prison,
which though he wasn't even a part of, the state
prison used as an excuse to send him to the
Federal system. We didn't get word of his
transfer for 11 months! In federal prison he was
under 23 hour lock up, 24 hours lock up on
weekends where they wouldn't even let him out for
yard. He stayed in long-term solitary confinement
until May of that year. Then they transferred him
to another prison (again without informing his family).

At the new prison he was offered a job in the
printing shop. They were mystified when he turned
them down because pay was good for prison work-
$86 a month. Delbert explained the situation,

"I said, 'Naw, I don't want that." They said,
"Wait a minute. This is just starting off, you
can move right on up." I said, "Look, I've been
in the hole for 6 years. I want some air! I don't
want no career in the prison." So they assigned
me to the yard detail. And that was it, I loved
that. I stayed in there a year and they shipped
me back to state. When I got back they put me in
the hole for about 3 weeks, then I got out, they
put me in population.

That "population" consists of repeat rapists,
serial killers, true murderers and gang thugs.
What I have learned through my father/daughter
relationship is that I am loved (despite the
distance & circumstances) by two parents. I've
never heard anything remotely cult-ish come out
of my father's mouth. He's never "strongly
encouraged" me to join MOVE. He's been an
educator, mentor, protector and father as best as
he could given his situation. I love him, have no
shame to claim him and will forever be bound by our blood.

 The May 13, 1985 bombing of the MOVE house
wasn't justice! The bombing resulted in 11
deaths, including 5 children and the group's
leader John Africa. Only 2 occupants survived,
Ramona, an adult and Birdy, a child. In addition,
60 homes were destroyed in the resulting fires.
There does come a time when HUMANITY should take
precedence over political agendas.

 Shame on us all for allowing many others beyond
the MOVE 9 to be wrongfully incarcerated as well.


See
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/92093604.html

for more.

DEFEAT THE MEDIA WAR on MOVE!

May 10, 2011 move9parole.blogspot.com

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? - Bro. Phil Africa, MOVE 9

Sunday, May 8, 2011

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

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!

MOVE Film Showing May 13

Friday, May 13 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location

L-13 Gladfelter Hall, Temple University

115 W. Berks Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ona MOVE!

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.    

Political Prisoners on War Resisters & Honoring Mumia Abu Jamal's B-day

Time
Saturday, April 23 · 7:30pm - 10:00pm

Location
Sanctuary Wholistic Arts
2737 Cambridge Street
Philadelphia, PA

April 23rd, at 7:30pm, the "Questioning Incarceration Coalition" would like to
invite everyone to join us for a cultural event, with art, music, and poetry, that
will focus on solidarity between US Political Prisoners, and War Resistors.

Statements will be read from the writings of political prisoners and former
political prisoners such as:
Marshall Eddie Conway
Maroon Shoatz
...David Gilbert
Mumia Abu Jamal
Safiya Bukhari
Lynne Stewart
Women of the MOVE 9

Special Guests: Pam Africa from the ICFFMAJ and the MOVE organization, and Russell
Maroon Shoatz III, speaking about his father, Political Prisoner Russell Maroon
Shoatz

Also, Performances by Kevin Price,
Bohiti, I Abdul Jon, Joseph Xavier Mack

**We will be honoring the birthday of death row political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal.
Mumia is on deathrow facing imminent execution and continues to report on
international social justice issues. Mumia has been been writing in opposition to US
led wars and occupations throughout and prior to his 1981 conviction.

***Saturday April 23rd, Sanctuary Wholistic Arts, 2737 Cambridge Street
Philadelphia, PA
--donations will be collected to help pay for the venue
gases.

ORGANIZE 5/13 EVENTS TO RALLY AGAINST BOMBING AND MURDER OF MOVE FAMILY MEMBERS

by Sis Marpessa on Wednesday, April 13, 2011

From: ONAMOVELLJA@aol.com
Subj: May 13, 2011

ONA MOVE, All!  As I'm sure you all are aware, May 13th is close at hand, and of
course we never let it go by without reminding folks of the bombing and murder of
our MOVE family that day in 1985.  We plan to rally and distribute info/ updates on
the four corners of Broad and Chestnut Sts. in Philly on Saturday May 14th from
12:00pm til 3:00pm.  It's always good to get out there with the people to talk to
them and pass out info. Also, I would really like to do a screening of the August
8th film on Friday evening May 13th so if any of our Philly supporters have ideas on
a good place to do that please let me know ASAP.  For our supporters outside of
Philly, particularly those outside the country, I urge you to do something in your
area.  One of the things that we encourage you to do is a screening of the August
8th film.  We have them available for $10.00 plus postage if you need to order it.
Take care and hope to see you all in May---Ramona

3/19 NY Political Prisoner Panel w/Pam Africa + More!

From NY Jericho

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANEL AT THE LEFT FORUM AT PACE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN!

U.S. Imperialism, Political Prisoners Past & Present, and the Anti-War Struggle

E324, G. Panel Session 3—Saturday, March 19, 3:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

* Anne Lamb—NYC Chapter of the Jericho Movement for Recognition & Amnesty for US
Political Prisoners
* Matthis Chiroux—Disobedient
* Pam Africa—Free Mumia Coalition, MOVE
* Ralph K. Poynter—Lynne Stewart Defense Committee, New Abolitionist Movement, Green
Party
* Ralph Schoenman—Take Back WBAI
* Ramsey Clark—Former Attorney General of the US
* Suzanne Ross—Free Mumia Coalition

--
A revolution now cannot be confined to the place or people where it may commence,
but flashes with lightning speed from heart to heart, from land to land, til it has
traversed the globe ...
--Frederick Douglass

Free All Political Prisoners!
nycjericho@gmail.com • www.jerichony.org

Tribute to a Fallen Warrior: Merle Africa

From:  Sis. Iresha Picot via Sis. Marpessa
--------

A Tribute to a Fallen Warrior: Merle Africa

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 & Iresha Picot

(Also check out Sis. Merle's page at
http://www.onamove.com/merle.html