We've had more than thirty years to forget - unless you count the day the Philly PD dropped a bomb on their house. That was May 13, 1985. No one paid much attention to it then, either.
Most people probably don't know who I'm talking about, I guess.
Not long ago I saw MOVE; the 2004 documentary narrated by Howard Zinn.
They were revolutionaries.
They still are.
We have to raise our voices to set these people free.
If you don't take my word for it, then watch the film, scan the net, check out Mumia, try YouTube hit Wikipedia, do what you need to do to be "well-informed" (there are plenty of anti-Move sites too) - but do it soon. Here's the alert I received from the Jericho Movement about the Move 9 today:
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(717) 787-5699
Chairwoman Katherine McVey
Charles Fox
Michael L. Green
Jeffry R. Imboden
Matthew T. Mangino
Benjamin A. Martinez
Gerald N. Massaro
Judy Viglione
Lloyd A. White
Board of Probation and Parole
Attn: Inmate Inquiry
1101 South Front Street, Suite 5300
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 787-5699
Since the prison system insists on having DIN numbers, make sure to have them on hand when you call or write.
SCI Graterford, Box 244, Graterford PA 19426
451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238
SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612
301 Morea Road, Frackville, PA 17932
451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238
451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238
SCI Graterford, Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0244
SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612
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Merle Africa died while incacerated in Indiana.
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Finally, this wasn't part of their ask but I think it's okay to say: Historically the parole board has stipulated that the MOVE family dissociate from one another and have no contact with eachother on the outside. They are being told they must disown their family.
MOVE has argued unsuccessfully - but I think rightfully - that such a requirement is a violation of the freedoms of religion, speech, and association. I believe this prevented their parole before.
It seems to violate something even more fundamental than constitutional liberties to keep people in chains until they betray loved ones, forsake their religion, or otherwise completely submit to the will of the state. That's a violation of human rights.
MOVE and supporters have been family to eachother over years and across countless prison walls; their love must be deep and renewing to sustain the brutalities of incarceration. Their faith - their adherance to their beliefs - must be more sound than most, that they would spend another year in prison before they renounce them.
The MOVE 9 (now 8) are no threat to neighbors or the state.
What kind of twisted society really wants to punish these politics, anyway? Love, radical ideas, and sustainable living are so hard to come by anymore: we might as well be locking up all the writers and artists too (oh, wait - we are. See all those links on the left....).
Just something to keep in mind when you make that call or write that letter for MOVE 9 members tomorrow. Thanks for whatever you can do for MOVE
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