“Delbert Africa, Free!”
MOVE member Delbert Africa, held in prison since the confrontation of August 8th, 1978, has walked out of a Pennsylvania prison after 42 years. Delbert, in his 69th year of life, came out to meet other members of the MOVE organization: Ramona, Pam, Janet, Janine, Mo, Mary, Carlos, and Consuewella Africa, who greeted him with a hearty chant of “long live John Africa” and the MOVE salute.
Del was in a good mood and high spirit, cracking jokes and eating sandwiches. August 8th, 1978 was a date of infamy, for it marked an attack on the MOVE house in west Philadelphia’s Powelton Village where hundreds of cops shot thousands of shots into the structure where men, women, and children were huddled in the basement. Gunfire was followed by water cannons where MOVE people had to fight to stay alive from being drowned. When Delbert exited the house, he was beaten by several cops, rifle-butted, stomped, and kicked viciously.
When several of these cops were charged with assaulting Del, they had nothing to worry about thanks to Judge Stanley [inaudible], ignoring videotapes. He acquitted the cops, citing, among other things, Delbert’s muscles as justification for the beating. Ironically, one of those cops charged might’ve been luckier if he were sent to prison, for several weeks after the trial, he was shot and paralyzed by his wife who also happened to be a cop.
Delbert Africa move member walks free after 42 years in the joint.
From imprisoned nation, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.
these commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.