APPEAL DENIED IN MOVE 9 CASE

By Greg Butterfield

On Nov. 17, 2000, Philadelphia Judge Gary Glazer turned down a  post-conviction relief appeal for the eight surviving  members of the MOVE 9. MOVE Minister of Communications  Ramona Africa said, "Once again this system, through its  courts, has demonstrated its contempt for justice and its  obvious intent to keep the MOVE 9 in prison despite their  innocence."

The eight--Chuck Africa, Debbie Africa, Delbert Africa,  Edward Africa, Janet Africa, Janine Africa, Mike Africa and  Phil Africa--have spent 22 years behind bars, convicted of  killing Police Officer James J. Ramp during a 1978 police  assault on a MOVE house. All are serving sentences ranging  from 30 to 100 years.

Supporters call the MOVE 9 political prisoners who were  targeted for daring to advocate Black armed self-defense  during Frank Rizzo's reign as mayor of Philadelphia.

Merle Africa, the ninth member, died in prison in 1998 under  mysterious circumstances.

When the post-conviction appeal was filed in July 1999, MOVE  9 attorney Paul J. Hetznecker said, "The trial was a  travesty of justice. The result cannot be just if the  process of trial is unjust." He said the original judge,  Edwin Malmed, "acted as an advocate for the prosecution."

Hetznecker said the nine defendants, who were representing  themselves, were illegally removed from the courtroom. They  were saddled with ineffective court-appointed lawyers.

Ramona Africa said prosecutors withheld vital evidence,  including a February 1977 secret memo outlining plans for a  police attack to "eradicate MOVE."

Police finally did attack and bomb the MOVE house in May  1985. The resulting fire killed 11 MOVE members and burned  down 60 homes in the surrounding African American  neighborhood.

The MOVE 9 have vowed to continue their struggle for  freedom.