The Released Six
Debbie Africa, Mike Africa, Janet Africa, Janine Africa, Chuck Africa, Delbert Africa
What They Face:
- Age: All released in their late 60s-early 70s
- Health: Decades of inadequate prison healthcare left them with chronic conditions
- World Changed: They went to prison in 1978-1980; released 2018-2020. Imagine the changes: internet, cell phones, social media, entire cultural shifts
- Starting Over: Building lives after 40 years means learning everything from scratch
What They’re Doing:
- Reconnecting with family (many have grandchildren they’re meeting for first time)
- Advocating for Edward Africa’s release
- Keeping MOVE’s message alive
- Speaking about criminal justice reform
- Simply trying to live the years they have left in freedom
The Tragedy: They lost 40 years. Went in young; came out elderly. Missed children growing up, missed parents dying, missed lives.
But at least they got out. Edward is still waiting.
The Dead Two
Merle Africa (died 1998) and Phil Africa (died 2015)
Both died in prison. Merle after 20 years. Phil after 37 years. Neither got to live as a free adult. Both went into prison in their late 20s and died there.
Pennsylvania kept them imprisoned until death despite compassionate release laws that should have freed dying inmates.
The Last One
Edward Goodman Africa – Still Imprisoned
Edward is 72. He’s been in prison 47 years. He has chronic health conditions. He’s been denied parole over 10 times.
Unless something changes, Edward will become the third MOVE 9 member to die in prison.
He’ll die having spent 47 years imprisoned for third-degree murder. He’ll die having served a sentence longer than most first-degree murderers. He’ll die insisting he didn’t kill the person they say he did.
What Should Happen
Edward Africa Should Be Released Immediately
Reasons:
- Time Served: 47 years far exceeds any reasonable sentence for third-degree murder
- Age: At 72, he poses no public safety risk
- Health: Chronic conditions require care he’s not receiving in prison
- Sentencing Disparity: People convicted of worse crimes with clearer evidence have been paroled after less time
- Questionable Conviction: Forensic evidence never proved MOVE killed Officer Ramp
- Humanitarian: Simply the right thing to do for an elderly, sick man who’s served nearly half a century
How This Could Happen
Compassionate Release:
- Pennsylvania law allows release for elderly, ill inmates
- Edward meets criteria
- Governor could grant clemency
Parole:
- Parole board could finally grant parole
- Requires political will to override “MOVE affiliation” excuse
Gubernatorial Clemency:
- Pennsylvania Governor can commute sentence or grant pardon
- Would require public pressure
None of these require new laws. Just will to act.
Why This Matters Beyond MOVE
The Pattern This Represents
The MOVE 9 case shows how criminal justice system can be weaponized:
Political Persecution:
- Punish people for their beliefs by using criminal law
- “Continued affiliation with MOVE” as parole denial reason is thought-policing
Excessive Sentencing:
- Sentences far beyond norms for similar crimes
- Used to destroy organizations by imprisoning members indefinitely
Parole as Control:
- Make parole contingent on renouncing beliefs
- Force choice: maintain innocence and stay imprisoned, or lie and maybe get free
Conspiracy Law Abuse:
- Convict people who didn’t commit the actual crime
- Hold them responsible for acts they may not have committed
Broader Implications
If this can happen to MOVE 9, it can happen to any group that challenges power:
- Environmental activists
- Racial justice organizers
- Anti-war protesters
- Any dissenting voice
The template is clear:
- Create confrontation with dissenting group
- When violence erupts (even if police-caused), charge group members
- Use conspiracy law to convict everyone
- Give excessive sentences
- Deny parole based on continued belief in cause
- Effectively imprison people for their politics
That’s not justice. That’s authoritarianism with judicial veneer.
For the Record
Nine people were arrested August 8, 1978.
Nine people were convicted of third-degree murder.
Nine people received 30-100 year sentences.
Two died in prison.
Six were finally released after 40+ years.
One remains imprisoned at age 72 after 47 years.
Forensic evidence never proved beyond doubt who killed Officer James Ramp.
The MOVE 9 maintain they didn’t do it.
They’ve spent a combined 370+ years in prison.
Edward Goodman Africa is still there, at 72, in failing health, denied parole again and again.
If the purpose was punishment, it’s been served a hundred times over.
If the purpose was justice, it failed the day they were sentenced to 30-100 years for third-degree murder.
If the purpose was to destroy MOVE, it didn’t work. The organization still exists. The released members still advocate.
If the purpose was to send a message—”challenge the system and spend your life in prison”—message received.
Edward Africa should come home. He should die free, not in a cell.
That’s not radical. That’s basic humanity.
Truth Has No Borders.
Edward Goodman Africa, age 72, imprisoned for 47 years. He should come home.
James Theodore Wilson is a Senior Investigative Reporter at True Signal Media focusing on historical accountability. He has covered criminal justice and excessive sentencing for five decades.