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"There are only a few officials who will
acknowledge the righteousness of our demand for the release of innocent
MOVE people but then they try to justify their casualness about the situation
by saying that we are "too aggressive," "too uncompromisin’ in our position,
yet how can any action be "too aggressive" when talkin’ about your innocent
sisters and brothers, husbands and wives rottin’ in prison for one hundred
years?"
In the early hours of Friday, March 13, 1998, renowned MOVE political prisoner, Merle Austin Africa died under what MOVE has said are "very suspicious circumstances." MOVE Communication Minister, Ramona Africa, issued a press release setting out the following facts: After a short bout with a stomach virus from which she was almost fully recovered (family visited with Merle last Thursday 3/5/98) she fainted in the cell last night going to the bathroom. The prison authorities removed Debbie Sims Africa and stayed in the cell with Merle for 45 minutes and finally called in ambulance and took her to an outside hospital. We were not allowed any information and only after Merle’s mother insisted was she told that Merle had died. Information is sketchy, but on Thursday the 5th Merle was looking good and feeling back to her old self and gave strong hugs to family who came to visit. Merle was a young woman in her mid 40s, of good health and strong spirit. One week later she is dead! We need to have answers! Meanwhile, Ramona notes, another emergency has arisen; "Debbie Sims Africa is being forced to go back to the cell she shared with Merle and is not being allowed to be with her other two sisters Janet and Janine." She asks that you make your feelings known to state and prison administrators on this matter, and that you also inquire vigorously into the death of Merle, to: Gov. Tom Ridge
Martin F. Horn, Secretary
William Wolf, Supt.
For many that read this, the name Merle Austin Africa is little more than a name. They may recognize the name, but a name, even a recognizable one, is not a being. How many saw her radiant smile? How many heard her give a speech that was more like a sermon? I once saw her come into a courtroom and speak of MOVE’s history of repression and resistance with such passion and power that everyone within earshot was stunned. For over 20 years this brave, beautiful, committed woman stood strong in defense of her belief, the Teachings of JOHN AFRICA, against tremendous odds. On August 8th, 1978, the city of Philadelphia sent a phalanx of armed troops to Merle’s house, in a paramilitary attempt to wipe out MOVE. She was arrested because she was a MOVE member; convicted for being a MOVE member, and sentenced to a century in hell for being a MOVE member. After over two decades in Pennsylvania dungeons, there remains 8 MOVE men and women who we should work hard for in defense of their freedom. We should move Heaven and earth to insure that these principled revolutionaries die in their own beds, over 100 years old, after having lived most of their lives in freedom. Free the MOVE 8 now! Honor the Revolutionary spirit of Merle Africa! © 1998 Mumia Abu-Jamal
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Merle Africa: A Life of Resistance