“30 to 100 years, no more! Free move now! Open up the door!,” a marchers chant. To hear news accounts their numbers weren’t impressive, with less than 50 marchers participating in a May 13, 1993 march calling for the freedom of move political prisoners.
In this respect, local and regionally published reports were accurate, if not explanatory, of the significance of the event. To be sure, it was reported that the march also marked the eighth anniversary of the police bombing and mass murder of eleven MOVE members from moves home on Osage Avenue. And also the first anniversary of the day MOVE’s Communications Minister Ramona Africa, was released from prison after seven years as a political prisoner. So, that was accurate. In their endless fascination with numbers, the media counted numbers, researched dates, took a few pictures and considered their story told.
As ever with MOVE, that is seldom, if ever, the case. Who were the people marching? “We’re fired up, still on the move!”, a march chant. Their voices were light, heavy, thin and thunderous. Theirs were the voices of MOVE men, MOVE women, and MOVE children, the young sons and daughters of revolution. Tall with lithe, lean forms or tiny bundles of baby fat, all uncosmetic.
The move children march militantly from West Philadelphia, the site of the old MOVE headquarters at 33rd and Powelton Avenue, site of the August 8, 1978 MOVE confrontation, to Philadelphia City Hall, which they circled twice in the rain. The children, many who were themselves, although babies, veterans from the August 8th confrontation, are a sight to behold. Strong limbed, clear eyes like dark stars, teeth like shimmering pearls, radiant and beautiful.
Numbers did not disturb them, as they demonstrated for their parents, their brothers and sisters. For they were comfortable among themselves, and excited about their activity. These remarkable children called “The Seeds of Wisdom,” by John Africa, are born in revolution, in resistance, in anti systematic natural law. Their young brothers and sisters were murdered by the government on May 13th 1985. Their older brothers and sisters were also murdered by the government on May 13th, and some were railroaded to nearly a century in prison. At least one child was born in prison.
“Jail Rendell! Set MOVE free!”, march chant. Reporters told that a march occurred and how many participated on that rainy day in May. But, by not showing who marched, they missed the heart of the story. A story of resistance, generation by generation and the living tale of survival. From Death Row., this is Mumia Abu Jamal. For more information about my case, racism and the death penalty and what you can do contact Equal Justice USA, at (301) 699-0042.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.
