Memories of Phil Africa

Ona Move !!

There's  a  photo of Phil , Chuck, and me that was taken around 1993 . I love that photo and remember the scene like it was yesterday .

That was at a state boxing tournament at huntingdon , where  I was being held at the time . Chuck was coming in from Pittsburg for a fight, Phil was coming in from rockview as a trainer , and I ran the sound system at huntingdon which meant I would be in the auditorium when they first arrived. None of us had seen each for 13 years at this point . So when they both finally came in and we all saw each other we all hugged. We were just standing there in three man bundle just hugging and laughing , and both Phil and Chuck had tears streaming down their faces . Everybody was looking at us but nobody ever interfered or intruded . They could  all see how close and happy we all were to be seeing each other . I was  so happy to see my brothers again .to me it seemed we hadn't seen each other in 1000 years rather than 13 .

The thing is though , I also remember a very similar scene back at headquarters in 1975 where Phil and other Move folks had just been released . , Through  The Strategy Of JOHN AFRICA , Afrter  a demonstration and contempt of court charges. Phil's face looked the same as I described of huntingdon after not seeing us for those 13 years . Only in this case , he had only been separated from his family for maybe a month or so .

See with Phil , The length of time nor the particular people wasn't the ruling factor as it would have been for most folks . Phil just genuinely loved and missed his Move Family . Loved and missed everything connected to our family , and really really loved The Coordnator for giving it to him. But just as quick as he was with his smile, tears of happiness at being with the family ,anybody that has ever encountered him knows that he is even quicker to defend anyone even remotely connected to Move., John Africa , with every ounce of his being. Phil is the true epitome of a Move Solider.

The epitome of A Move Brother Someone dedicated to  the work of life .
His example will always be with us , with the very best of all of us
Long Live Our Family . We are all one with Moma .

LONG LIVE THE COORDNATOR !!!

Mike Africa

My Tribute To Phil Africa

Phil taught me various political and survival skills and  strategies that enabled me to overcome the anguish and wretchedness of incarceration and onward to the passageway to become a self empowered , self determined life long learner and  teacher . He inspired me to reach for greater truths and understanding , and never give up regardless of the odds against me.

I along with many prisoners and organizations relied on his wisdom and understanding and inspiration . He embodied the courage of every noble warrior . I am profoundly privileged and honered to have met him and be one of his many students and friends .

Respectfully ,

Tiyo

More Statements On Phil Africa

Phil,

In Perpetual Motion , Always Moving , Always Progressing Never Dying HE LIVES ON !

LEV

I celebrate My Brother Phil's life in the struggle , He will always be in my heart and mind and infinitely  ONA MOVE !

Bro Tariq


There are no words that I can express except empty for the loss of my old head and  Brother
Long Live Phil Africa

On The Move Forever

Love Rob Ruffin

Denver ABCF On Phil Africa

This letter was written for Phil's Wife Janine Africa From Brother Illy From The Denver ABCF

Janine Phillips Africa #OO-6309
SCI Cambridge Springs 451 Fullerton Ave Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238
Dear Janine,

Illy Voxi
Denver ABC
P.O. Box 11236 Denver, CO 80211

Words cannot explain the hurt, the pain, and the anger that has overwhelmingly crushed me. Phil's death is some of the worst pain I've felt. I'm so fortunate that I was able to visit with him one time, just a matter of days before. At least there is that, I can go on knowing I got to see his fearless smile just one more time. Phil was one of my most active correspondents, and wonderful friend. While he was constantly busy responding to each and every letter he received, he still prioritized my letters over others to keep our communication close. I love Phil Africa so much, and now that I won't be receiving letters from him, life feels much more empty.
I spent the first half of the next day, shedding more tears then I have in years. I drove my van to the store to buy a pack of cigarettes. Before I entered the store I though to my self 'Phil wouldn't want me smoking right now, he would want me to be strong'. I then decided it must be Phil talking to me, as he is now part of life that flows free in the wind. I literally could feel myself breathing in some Phil as I obtained my breaths. I also wanted to just sit at home and mourn, but the element of Phil, once again encouraged me to hold my head up and move forward as strong as ever. So instead of staying home, I carried out the day with one of Denver ABC's most productive meetings. I know Phil wants for this situation to empower me and fuel my revolution more. Therefor, that's exactly what I'm allowing this hurt to do. I'm so lucky to have had such a strong, radical, and loving person to constantly give me wisdom and inspiration. When I was feeling down, a letter from Phil always brought me right back to focus. Now he's not here in person to coach me, but with his spirit in the air, I'm feeling a sense of guidance and focus like never before. Still however, I hurt and I miss him.
Janine, I cannot even imagine how much this must hurt for you. One cannot even visualize the torture of being locked in a cage while your husband was dying. To know also that he was murdered by those bloodthirsty drooling crazies that suck the the life and liberation out of humanity, is impaling. I hurt so bad for you right now Janine, but I know my hurt can never compare to yours. You have been through this pain before, with Life Africa and Little Phil, and yet you're still so incredibly strong thanks to John Africa. It's epic, and I work to have such strength one day. Though you're experienced in dealing with such pain, it still must hurt like hell to feel every time it comes. My friend and comrade, I am offering you and your family my absolute deepest condolences for your loss. You have my deepest love, support, and encouragement. Please just let me know of anything you need that I can provide, to help you through these hard times. I've got your back Janine, as do all of us here at Denver ABC.
Fuck the system, fuck the PADOC, fuck the nerve climbing parole board, and fuck the prison medical staff that applied the lethal dose. We will never forget our comrade Phil Africa. We will never forgive those responsible for his death. We will stop at nothing to find out what really happened in that infirmary, and we'll stop at nothing to hold them accountable. My rage is easily 10x what it was before. I'm ready for revolution, and I will give my all into getting you, and the rest of your imprisoned brothers and sisters out. We want you paroled, we want you released, we want you free. Let Phil's death mark the next stages in your campaigns, and empower all of us on the outside to fight harder, faster, stronger then ever before. Until every cage is empty... R.I.P. Phil Africa | Love & Solidarity,

Mumia Speaks on Phil Africa

BRO. PHIL AFRICA (1956-2015), MOVE MEMBER

[col. writ. 1/10/15] © ’15 Mumia Abu-Jamal

He was born William Phillips, on Jan. 1, 1956, but few people called him by that name.

Most people knew him as Phil, and after joining the revolutionary naturalist MOVE organization in the early 1970s, most called him Phil Africa.

He was part of the confrontation of Aug. 8, 1978, in Philadelphia, where nearly a dozen MOVE members were charged in connection with that conflict, in which a cop likely died from friendly fire – but MOVE members were charged.

Among them, Phil Africa. Phil was among 9 MOVE men and women charged with murder, and convicted in a hotly disputed trial, of third degree murder. So disputed, in fact, that several days after the trial, Judge Edwin Malmed would admit, in a locally broadcast interview, that he ‘Hadn’t the faintest idea’….”the faintest idea” (his very words) …who killed the cop.

The 9 MOVE members were sentenced to 30 to 100 years: the longest in Pennsylvania history since third-degree became law in PA. Judge Malmed reportedly acknowledged the illegality of such a sentence, telling those sentenced that it may be reversed on appeal, but, for now, it would hold them. It appears Malmed believed the State Appellate courts were fairer than even they believed.

But not to people named Africa it seems.

For today, 37 years after the events of August, 1978, the fact that 7 remaining men and women are still in prison is nothing short of a scandal.

The MOVE men and women should’ve been free, at least 7 years ago, when they reached their minimums.

But this is Pennsylvania, where madness passes as normality.

Phil lost a son back in the mid –‘70s, when police trampled his child, Life Africa.

On May 13, 1985, when the police bombed a MOVE home, another son, Little Phil, was among the 11 people shot and burned to death.

Phil was an extremely talented artist and painter. He was a man with a gift of lightness, a witty sense of humor, and an ever-present smile.

Phil Africa, MOVE member, will be long loved and remembered by his wife, Janine Africa, by his brothers and sister in MOVE, and by many, many prisoners across the state, whom he counseled over the years.

Phil lived through 59 cycles of planet earth, before being returned to his Mother.

Statement For Brother Phil Africa's Celebration Of Life

I would like to thank the Move family especially Mona for providing me the opportunity to write a statement on behalf of Brother Phil Africa. I met Phil once during the summer with some of the Move family. Prior to the visit, my knowledge about Phil was through his incredible art, Move documentaries and personal stories by Move members. When I met Phil, he acted as if he known me for years. He smiled and laughed the entire visit. He teased Theresa like brothers tease their sisters. It was hilarious seeing them fight. We talked about jazz and some of his favorite artist which included John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, and Thelonious Monk.

Phil shifted the conversation to the struggle of today and the role of the system. He said, “The system will always test you to see how strong and committed you are.” While listening to Phil, I was thinking about how this revolutionary freedom fighter was stolen from his family and community. And how we will always be at a level of disadvantage with our political prisoners away from us. But this disadvantage has not hindered our struggle!

The gathering today for our dear brother is to celebrate his life and legacy. To honor and salute his courage and commitment to the revolution. But we have to truly honor his legacy and continue the work. The work to FREE the Move 9 and all political prisoners. We will not let the 37 years you spent incarcerated as an innocent man be in vein. The current movement of Black Lives Matter include our political prisoners.

We honor you Phil by speaking truth to power about the Move 9’s innocence. We honor you by supporting Mona when she calls on the community for assistance. We honor you by staying steadfast and not backing down and compromising to this system. We honor you by never letting this city forget about the 78’ confrontation and the 85’ bombing of our brothers and sisters. We honor you by collectively organizing and mobilizing for the 30 – Year Anniversary of the May 13, 1985 bombing

Brother Phil you were an exemplary soldier for the struggle of Black Liberation. We love and honor your life and legacy.

Long live the spirit of revolution!

Long live the spirit of Brother Phil Africa!

Ona Move,

Sister Patrice K. Armstead

Brother Phil

Phil Africa Brother and Friend . Man of vision and hope . His presence and sense of balance affected all of us . Thank you, Phil , for sharing your life with us . We all make choices and Phil chose to live with us . Wow .

Love and Respect Always

Ona Move

Larry Giddings  Seattle , Wa 1/31/15

Political Prisoner Tom Manning On Phil Africa

To The Move Family ,

Thank you for sharing Phil with all of us . He was an outstanding comrade and painter . I am so honored to have a picture of the painting Phil did of me . It is a small island of sanity when I see his name on the painting

Respect and Up The Rebel

Tom Manning  PP

Fmc Butner Nc

4Struggle Magazine on Phil Africa

This is an excerpt written on Phil in 4 Struggle Magazine written by Political Prisoner Jaan Laaman

Some Reflections on Comrades, The Spirit of Resistance, Struggle and Death

by Jaan Laaman - 4sm editor

2015 is almost a month old and my overall outlook has been optimistic and energized. With a months long new movement in the streets, fighting against government repression and police killings of unarmed men, boys and women too, mostly of color, for me it has been a time of gathering information and supporting and contributing to this new movement.

It is within this context, that I just received somber and hard information about two comrades of mine, two very good human beings, steadfast brothers and courageous fighters in the Freedom Struggle. I am talking about two friends of mine, both long held political prisoners -- Phil Africa and Bill Dunne.

William Phillips Africa died on January 10, 2015, in the Pennsylvania state prison system, at SCI Dallas.

Phil Africa was one of the Move 9, all of whom have been in captivity since August 8, 1978. On that day, the Philadelphia police and other government forces launched an unprovoked assault on the Move home. The Move 9 are completely innocent women and men who were thrown into prison for 30 to 100 year sentences. They are all still in prison, except for Merle Africa who died in 1998, and now Phil.

Phil Africa never stopped struggling for justice and freedom, not only for the Move Family and his co-defendants, but for poor and oppressed people of all colors, across this country and around the world. Phil was a good man, intelligent and brave, thoughtful and caring. He could make you laugh and he was self disciplined and worked to stay in shape. He was a father figure, as well as a boxing teacher and sports coach to many younger men.

Phil's death in the Pennsylvania state correctional institution at Dallas, came under very questionable and suspicious circumstances. See a more detailed posting on Phil's death athttp://www.4strugglemag.org.

My political prisoner brother and friend, Phil Africa, died in that Pennsylvania prison cell in his 37th year of captivity. Phil's hardships and deprivations are now over. Phil was never a man who bemoaned the harsh, inhumane and injust realities he and other prisoners were forced to endure. Dying in prison is always a sad reality. Phil's hardships are now over and that is a good thing, even while we mourn his passing. We should also question the circumstances surrounding his death and demand answers from Pennsylvania prison officials.

For Phil Africa

POEM & WRITING FOR PHIL AFRICA

Your system is made to numb people
Your system is meant to bring evil
Your system of lies and countless deception
Your system of genocide and exploitation

You murdered countless spirited folk
And then you smile and make it a joke
You tell other nations you are coming to save
And when you arrive you prepare their grave

Your system is not for righteousness
You can see it in your very own citizens
Look how they go about their daily lives
Careless, indifferent of the sufferer's cries

You've twisted the priority in people's minds
Now they believe that truths are lies
But to us others with three-fold eyes
Your corrupted system we stigmatize

We see and read between the lines
And educate others with power rhymes
We use our art to touch the lives
WAKE UP MIGHTY PEOPLE, it's time to rise.

Don't you think that you'll get away
With all the lives you've took away
Be prepared, for the time is near
When you kill one, a thousand shall appear

When you thought no one was looking
You thought you could stop MOVE from existing
Today, the whole world knows what you did
No matter what evidence you've tried to rid

Whoever doesn't support your wicked schemes
You call them terrorists, and make the people believe
But a lie cannot stand on its two feet
For the power of Truth is always final.

The end of your reign will strongly be cheered
Empowering the people is your biggest fear
Informing the masses is your worst nightmare
That's why we shall always persevere

You've murdered John Africa
You've stomped Life Africa
You've killed Merle Africa
And now you took Phil Africa

No, this shall not go unnoticed
Cuz we are fuckin pissed
And we've had more than enough of you
You shall be crushed by the power of Truth

I never met Phil before,
But we've corresponded back and forth
He helped me through some very tough times
And for that he's always on my mind

I've even made a video of his art
His drawings and paintings touch the heart
And this is all you need to do
In order to change the world anew

And this is why you took him away
But as my poem is read today
His soul is present, filling the air
You can't see him but his vibration is there

For those whose lives are interrupted
Become roaming souls for a long period
But those who go the natural way
Are reborn within a couple of days

(This is from the Yogic science,
Something they don't teach you at school)

MOVE has heard my calling cry
They've all given me strength to survive
To live up and to help others strive
All praises to the Order of Life!

None of you could stop our flow
Just give in to Nature's show
What is your empire meant for
When you know you'll die tomorrow?

And I wait to see if Obama speaks
Speak out Obama at what your country reeks!
Come take matters in your own hands
Show the people where you stand

It's the murder of another innocent man
By the system that YOU represent
You cannot ignore this,
You cannot ignore MOVE.

But we know you won't speak out
Cause if you do,
Tomorrow's news will show a dead black president,
Shot in the head as he was leaving his house.

"What happened to him???
He tried to speak out for justice."

This is why we need to do the job ourselves
Cause nobody is gonna do it for us
We can't ask the system to stop itself
John Africa had already said this.

So lets all work towards LIFE!
And each time they take one of us away,
We should work a hundred times more!
And use the bad news of our close ones being murdered,
To spark more light in more people!
And at this pace, we can only be victorious.
And the system shall see its end sooner than we think!
And if done right, this work shall not stress you or tire you,
But it shall enlighten you, empower you, bring you satisfaction and peace of mind.
For no fruit bearing tree grows without the tenderness of sun and water and fertile soil.
No life could grow without love and care.
When done with love, NOTHING is stressful.
And who can't love Life?
Who can't love Nature?
Who can't love Health?
Who can't love Truth?
And if you love these things, how can you sit and watch them be exploited?
If you love them, you can't.
And if you don't love them, you can't know Life, you can only know death, jealousy, egoism, violence, destructiveness, exploitation, oppression; this is what the system is.
So put down your i-phones, your i-pads, and spend more time with the I.
Switch off the channel of the system, and open the windows and the doors of reality.
Let us do this for everyone who was murdered.
Let us do it for Phil Africa.
And let us not let the same thing happen to Mumia Abu-Jamal or to the rest of the MOVE 9, or to anybody else unjustly imprisoned, or whoever is being exploited.
Let us help eachother, be real to eachother, patient and wise.
Let us make that change RIGHT THE FUCK NOW!!!!!!!!

--Omar Schekhli, a.k.a. Omar Africa

Dedicated to the passing of Phil Africa, written in the morning of Sunday 25th January 2015.

Celebration Of Life For Phil Africa Be In Philly Sat 1/31/15

From Ramona Africa:

ONA MOVE, Everybody. First, let me thank each of you for your genuine and kind words to this family regarding the loss of our brother, Phil Africa. We wish we could thank you individually but the sheer number of the responses we have received makes that impossible. Know that we love you all and our family truly appreciates your response to our loss. We want to inform you that there will be a celebration of the revolutionary life our brother, Phil Africa, on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Kingsessing Recreation Center, located at 49th and Kingsessing Ave. from 1-4 pm. We're inviting all of you that can attend. If you choose to, you can take the opportunity to verbally express how Phil touched you; what his revolutionary life means to you or whatever you would like to say about Phil Africa. If you are located far away or can not attend for whatever reason but would like to send us a brief comment about Phil, please do so and we will see that it's read at the celebration. Again, thanks to each and every one of you for all of your kind words of support.


Ramona Africa for The MOVE Family

Our thanks to Brother for helping us secure the venue.

Delbert Africa Under Attack

ONA MOVE, Everybody.  Another disturbing situation has surfaced at SCI-Dallas. Our brother, Delbert Africa, has been without a cellmate since the passing of our brother Phil Africa.  Dallas officials told Delbert that they would not give him a cellmate for a while yet the other day Delbert was brought a new cellmate. The issue is, C/O Lindler who works on Delbert’s block (block I) trying to provoke Delbert, whether it was on his own because he hates MOVE, or because he had orders.  Lindlerwas saying things like, “everybody else has cellmates, what’s so special about him”.  If this guard has a problem with MOVE people then he should request not to work Delbert’s block and leave our brother alone.  This example is so outstanding because the whole jail knows that our brother, Phil, just passed and people don’t usually antagonize and try to provoke a person that has just lost a loved one.  So what is Lindler’s problem?  We are alerting people to this situation because it looks like they’re trying to provoke something with Delbert and we won’t let themget away with this treachery, we’re doing as JOHN AFRICA teaches us to do, we’re exposing it.  Understand, this is not about Delbert having a cellmate or not, it’s about this guardmisusing the situation to try to provoke Delbert.  Robin Lucas is the superintendent’s assistant and the person to contact with your concerns. Her number is 570 675-1101, after the recordingpush 0 for operator and ask for her. Her email address isrlucas@pa.gov.  Thanks for your continued support----Ramona for the MOVE family

Phil Africa Passes Away

On Saturday, January 10th Phil Africa, revolutionary, John Africa’s First Minister of Defense, and beloved brother, husband and father,  passed away under suspicious circumstances at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas, PA. On Sunday, January 4th Phil Africa wasn’t feeling well and went to the prison infirmary. Though he wasn’t feeling well, other inmates saw Phil Africa walking, stretching and doing jumping jacks. Hearing that Phil was in the infirmary MOVE members drove up to visit him and were denied a visit by the prison. While they were visiting with Delbert Africa, Phil was secretly transported to Wilkes Barre General Hospital where he was held in total isolation, incommunicado for five days.

Prison officials at SCI-Dallas wouldn’t communicate about Phil’s condition. They told MOVE that Phil was at Wilkes Barre General hospital and the hospital denied he was there. The hospital and the prison behaved very suspiciously denying Phil the ability to call family members or his wife of 44 years, Janine Africa, stating that she was not a blood relative. The hospital and prison received hundreds of phone calls in support of Phil from around the world. When they finally submitted to pressure and allowed Phil to call Janine on Thursday, January 8th he was heavily drugged, incoherent and couldn’t even hold the phone to talk to her.

On Friday, January 9th Phil was sent back to the prison infirmary and placed in hospice care upon arrival. On Saturday, January 10th Ramona and Carlos Africa were granted permission to visit Phil in the prison infirmary. When they reached him he was incoherent and couldn’t talk or move his head to look at them. An hour after they left Delbert called with the news that Phil passed away.

Inmates in the infirmary and others in the prison were shocked when they heard the news. They had witnessed his vigorous health for decades in the prisons, had just seen him stretching and doing jumping jacks six days earlier. This rapid decline all occurred while he was being held for six days in isolation, incommunicado from his MOVE family at Wilkes Barre General Hospital.

The fact that Phil was isolated for the six days before he passed, that he was in such better health before he was taken to the hospital, and that the hospital refused to release his medical information is beyond suspicious.

This is another example of how the system hates MOVE and will do anything to stop MOVE. You can look at the example of August 8th, 1978 when the MOVE 9 were illegally imprisoned, and May 13th, 1985 when the government dropped a bomb and intentionally murdered 11 MOVE members to see this point clearly. When Merle Africa died in prison on March 13th, 1998 the conditions were very similar. She had been one way in the prison, but within hours of being forced to go to an outside hospital she was dead.

Phil made a deep impression on people all around the world. He was constantly writing, often dozens of letters a day, encouraging solidarity and strength, and warmly advising hundreds of people. Phil worked hard to learn to paint and created countless paintings which he sent to supporters for free to draw attention to issues, get raffled off for the struggle, and bring people together. Phil took his commitment and work as a revolutionary very seriously, but was often smiling, laughing, and giving people hugs and encouragement. He was a warm father figure to many in the prison where he taught inmates how to box, to think, and how to get stronger. Despite having two of his children murdered by the system and being separated by prison, Phil was a father figure to many. He was separated from his wife Janine for over 36 of the 44 years they were married, but he worked hard to stay connected with her even though they were so callously isolated by the system.

It’s this system’s  intention for MOVE people to die in prison. The MOVE 9 never should have been imprisoned at all, and according to their sentence they should have been paroled over six years ago. The death of Merle and Phil Africa rests directly at the feet of this government! Phil will never be forgotten. He is dearly missed, but his strong example should inspire everyone to fight harder for the freedom of the MOVE 9 and all political prisoners!

LONG LIVE PHIL AFRICA!

LONG LIVE MERLE AFRICA!

FREE THE MOVE 9!

LONG LIVE JOHN AFRICA!