“In Search of Delbert Africa.”
MOVE member Delbert Africa is missing. How can that be? Delbert Africa, of 68 years, is the oldest MOVE member of the August 8th, 1978 prisoners, and he has been missing since Wednesday, July 31st.
Delbert wrote a sick call slip recently, complaining of swelling in his lower extremities. When medical staff saw him, they promptly ordered him transported to a hospital. But what hospital? No one knows. Delbert’s state name is Delbert Orr, and MOVE people look at his present situation and remember with alarm the case of Phil Africa, who also went to a hospital and never returned.
MOVE people have good reason to be distrustful of hospitals. For those who don’t remember or can’t picture Delbert, think of the 1978 MOVE confrontation in Philadelphia. If you think of the images from that event, you’ll remember a well-muscled man bare from the waist up, standing with his arms raised before heavily armed cops. That iconic image of a man, his arms spread out from his sides, is Delbert Africa.
The MOVE organization has requested its supporters to call DOC Chief John Wetzel at 717-728-2573 and demand that Delbert be allowed to speak with his family and loved ones. Again, Delbert’s records identify him as Delbert Orr. His prison number is AM4985.
From imprisoned nation, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.
These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.
