FREE the MOVE 9 display at the A-Space

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

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!

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

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.

MOVE 9 on MXGM

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

Say "Hell No" to Death Row

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

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

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!

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

Metro - MOVE shooting: It’s been 32 years

August 7 Event in Philadelphia

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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