Reason #1: Revenge for Officer Ramp
Police unions never forget. Officer James Ramp died August 8, 1978. Every time Edward comes up for parole, police unions mobilize:
- Testimony at hearings opposing release
- Media campaigns emphasizing officer’s death
- Pressure on parole board members
- Framing any release as betrayal of fallen officer
The Message: MOVE killed a cop. MOVE must never be forgiven.
The Problem: Edward may not have killed Officer Ramp. Forensics were inconclusive. But truth matters less than symbolic punishment.
Reason #2: Political Pressure
Pennsylvania politicians face zero pressure to release Edward and massive pressure to keep him imprisoned:
- Police unions oppose release (votes/endorsements)
- Conservative voters oppose release (law-and-order politics)
- Media would cover release negatively (“cop killer freed”)
- Almost no political upside to showing mercy
The Calculation: Keeping Edward imprisoned is politically safe. Releasing him is politically risky.
The Result: Edward stays in prison not because justice requires it, but because politics demands it.
Reason #3: MOVE Is Still Controversial
MOVE never apologized. MOVE never disbanded. MOVE never said “we were wrong.”
Ramona Africa still tours the country defending MOVE. Mike Africa Jr. is a prominent activist. The organization persists.
Releasing Edward would be seen as validating MOVE. Pennsylvania can’t stomach that.
The Logic: Make Edward renounce MOVE as condition of release. If he won’t, he stays imprisoned.
The Problem: That’s thought-policing. That’s punishing someone for beliefs, not actions.
Reason #4: The System Protects Itself
The 1978 confrontation was a failure of city government:
- Police escalated when negotiation was possible
- Use of force was excessive
- Officer may have died from police crossfire
Releasing Edward would invite examination of what really happened. Easier to keep him imprisoned and maintain the official narrative: MOVE killed a cop, MOVE deserved long sentences, case closed.
The Health Crisis
Edward Africa is 72 years old and dying slowly in prison.
Documented Conditions
Heart Disease:
- Chronic condition requiring ongoing medication
- Risk of heart attack increases with age
- Prison medical care inadequate for serious cardiac issues
Diabetes:
- Type 2 diabetes, insulin-dependent
- Requires careful diet management (not possible in prison)
- Can lead to complications: kidney failure, blindness, amputation
- Prison nutrition not designed for diabetic needs
High Blood Pressure:
- Related to heart disease
- Exacerbated by prison stress
- Requires consistent monitoring and medication
Age-Related Decline:
- General health deterioration from nearly five decades of incarceration
- Inadequate medical care throughout imprisonment
- Effects of aging accelerated by prison conditions
Why This Matters
Pennsylvania has compassionate release provisions for elderly, seriously ill inmates. Criteria:
- Age 65+ – Edward is 72 ✓
- Serious medical condition – Multiple chronic conditions ✓
- No longer a threat – Never was ✓
- Served substantial portion of sentence – 47 years ✓
Edward meets every criterion. Yet he remains imprisoned.
The Clock Is Ticking
At 72 with multiple chronic conditions, Edward likely has limited years left. Each parole denial could be his last chance.
If he dies in prison, he becomes the third MOVE 9 member to die behind bars:
- Merle Africa – died 1998 (age ~48, served 20 years)
- Phil Africa – died 2015 (age ~64, served 37 years)
- Edward Africa – will die at 72+ having served 47+ years
That’s not justice. That’s state-sanctioned killing through medical neglect and excessive imprisonment.