Delbert Orr Africa
Born: 1950s
Age at Arrest (1978): Late 20s
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Time Served: 42 years
Released: January 2020 (age approximately 70)
Current Status: Free; living in Philadelphia area; advocating for Edward Africa’s release
Who He Was: Delbert was a founding MOVE member, deeply committed to John Africa’s philosophy. He was known for strong convictions and unwillingness to compromise with “the system.”
In Prison: Delbert spent 42 years incarcerated. He was repeatedly denied parole despite meeting eligibility requirements. Parole boards cited his continued commitment to MOVE and refusal to express “remorse” for Officer Ramp’s death (which he maintains MOVE didn’t cause).
Now: At 70+, Delbert works to keep MOVE’s message alive and advocates for the release of Edward Africa, the last MOVE 9 member still imprisoned.
Michael Davis Africa
Born: 1950s
Age at Arrest (1978): Late 20s
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Time Served: 40 years
Released: October 2018
Current Status: Free; active in MOVE advocacy
Who He Was: Michael was committed to MOVE’s revolutionary naturalist philosophy and lived communally in Powelton Village.
Family Connection: His son, Mike Africa Jr., was born shortly before the 1978 confrontation. Mike Jr. spent his entire childhood and young adulthood fighting for his parents’ release. He became a prominent activist and documentary subject in “40 Years a Prisoner” (HBO, 2020).
In Prison: Michael spent 40 years imprisoned, during which his son grew from infant to middle-aged man. He missed his son’s entire childhood, adolescence, and much of his adulthood.
Now: Michael was reunited with his family in 2018. He continues MOVE advocacy and works with Mike Jr. on justice campaigns.
Janet Holloway Africa
Born: 1950s
Age at Arrest (1978): Late 20s
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Time Served: 41 years
Released: May 2019
Current Status: Free; living with family
Who She Was: Janet was married to Eddie Africa (another MOVE 9 member). She was devoted to MOVE’s principles and helped care for communal children.
In Prison: Janet spent 41 years incarcerated—longer than many people convicted of first-degree murder with premeditation. She was repeatedly denied parole.
Now: Janet was released in 2019 at age approximately 70. She reconnected with family after four decades behind bars.
Janine Phillips Africa
Born: 1950s
Age at Arrest (1978): Late 20s
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Time Served: 41 years
Released: June 2019
Current Status: Free; living with family; health issues from decades of incarceration
Who She Was: Janine, like other MOVE 9 women, was deeply committed to the organization’s philosophy and communal living practices.
In Prison: Janine served 41 years. Health deteriorated significantly during incarceration. She developed chronic health conditions that advocates say were inadequately treated in prison.
Now: Released in 2019, Janine is recovering from health issues and rebuilding life with family. At 70+, she’s learning to navigate a world that changed entirely during her incarceration.
Debbie Sims Africa
Born: 1950s
Age at Arrest (1978): Late 20s
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Time Served: 40 years
Released: June 2018
Current Status: Free; living with family
Who She Was: Debbie was married to Mike Africa (another MOVE 9 member). She gave birth to Mike Africa Jr. shortly before the 1978 confrontation.
Family Connection: Her son, Mike Jr., was a baby when she was imprisoned. He grew up visiting her in prison, fighting for her release his entire life.
In Prison: Debbie spent 40 years imprisoned—her son’s entire childhood and much of his adulthood. She missed every milestone: first words, first steps, graduations, his own children being born.
Now: Debbie was released in 2018, finally able to live with her family. She’s now a grandmother, having missed her son growing up but present for her grandchildren.
Charles Sims Africa
Born: 1950s
Age at Arrest (1978): Late 20s
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Time Served: 41 years
Released: January 2020
Current Status: Free; living in Philadelphia area
Who He Was: Chuck was a dedicated MOVE member, committed to the organization’s principles of natural living and resistance to “the system.”
In Prison: Chuck served 41 years—among the longest sentences in Pennsylvania history for third-degree murder. Like others, he was repeatedly denied parole for maintaining innocence and refusing to denounce MOVE.
Now: Released at age 70+, Chuck is rebuilding life outside prison and advocating for Edward Africa’s freedom.
Merle Austin Africa
Born: 1950s
Age at Arrest (1978): Late 20s
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Died in Prison: March 1998 (age approximately 48)
Time Served: 20 years
Who He Was: Merle was among the younger MOVE 9 members, passionate about the organization’s philosophy.
In Prison: Merle developed serious health problems while incarcerated. Advocates say medical care was inadequate. His condition deteriorated over several years.
Death: Merle died in prison in March 1998 at approximately age 48. He’d served 20 years of his 30-100 year sentence. He never lived as a free man again after age 28.
Why His Death Matters: Merle was the first MOVE 9 member to die. His death drove home the reality: the 30-100 year sentences weren’t symbolic. The system intended to keep all nine imprisoned until they died.
Phil Africa
Born: 1950s
Age at Arrest (1978): Late 20s
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Died in Prison: January 2015 (age approximately 64)
Time Served: 37 years
Who He Was: Phil Africa (no relation to Little Phil Africa, the child killed in 1985 bombing) was a core MOVE member and strong advocate for the organization’s principles.
In Prison: Phil spent 37 years imprisoned. He developed cancer while incarcerated. Despite terminal diagnosis, he was repeatedly denied compassionate release. The system kept him imprisoned until death.
Death: Phil died in prison in January 2015, age approximately 64, from cancer. He’d served 37 years for third-degree murder—nearly twice the typical maximum sentence.
Why His Death Matters: Phil’s death while imprisoned, despite terminal illness, showed the cruelty of the sentences. Pennsylvania has compassionate release provisions for dying inmates. They weren’t applied to Phil. He died in a cell.
Edward Goodman Africa
Born: 1952
Age at Arrest (1978): 26
Convicted: Third-degree murder, 1980
Sentence: 30-100 years
Time Served: 47 years and counting
Current Status: STILL IMPRISONED at age 72
Current Location: SCI Phoenix, Pennsylvania
Who He Is: Edward is the last. The last MOVE 9 member still imprisoned. The last one still fighting for freedom at 72 years old after 47 years behind bars.
Edward was 26 when arrested—young, committed to MOVE’s philosophy, caught in a confrontation he maintains he didn’t start and didn’t kill anyone in.
In Prison: Edward has now spent 47 years in Pennsylvania prisons. He’s been denied parole over 10 times. Parole boards cite his continued affiliation with MOVE and refusal to express remorse for a death he maintains he didn’t cause.
Health Status: At 72, Edward’s health is failing. Supporters report chronic conditions including heart disease and diabetes. He receives inadequate medical care. Time is running out.
Why He’s Still Imprisoned: Pennsylvania parole boards have extraordinary discretion. They can deny parole for “attitude” or “lack of remorse” even when minimum sentence is served. Edward has served 47 years—far beyond any reasonable sentence for third-degree murder.
He remains imprisoned because he won’t denounce MOVE and won’t confess to killing someone he says he didn’t kill.
Advocacy for His Release:
- Family members, including Mike Africa Jr., campaign constantly for his release
- Health advocates note his medical needs require release
- Criminal justice reformers cite his case as example of excessive sentencing
- MOVE organization makes his release their central demand
Why This Matters: Edward Goodman Africa has served 47 years for third-degree murder. Typical maximum sentence: 20-40 years. He’s served more time than many first-degree murderers. He’s served more time than people convicted of intentional, premeditated killing.
And he may die in prison. At 72, with failing health, each denied parole hearing brings him closer to becoming the third MOVE 9 member to die behind bars.