Prison Radio
Mumia Abu-Jamal

“MOVE Women: Janet and Janine Africa Free at Last.”

For two MOVE women, Janet and Janine Africa, it had been decades since they walked the streets of Philadelphia or rode in a car. Decades? Yes. Over four to be exact. Exactly 41 years since the urban war in west Philadelphia on August 8th, 1978.

Just a few days ago, they walked away from Cambridge Springs Women’s Prison, got into a car, and began the long-awaited trek home some six months after their MOVE sister Debbie Africa was released. For Janet and Janine, entering the car was a trip into the future, for the car was full of electronic gadgetry. One sister, having not traveled by car in decades, experienced a brief bout of car sickness. But now, for the first time in 41 years, Janet and Janine Africa can walk in a park and smell the flowers for the first time in 41 years.

Janet and Janine Africa can walk down a city street unencumbered. For them, Philadelphia is surely not the city of brotherly love. Janet and Janine Africa are the last MOVE women held after the MOVE confrontation of August 8th, 1978 when cops attacked the west Philadelphia MOVE house. Several MOVE brothers remain

From imprisoned nation, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.

These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.