As the Waco incident re-enters headline news, I am appalled by the blindly patriotic denials that many flag waving Americans dare to still boldly embrace. Like MOVE, the Waco torching was a public execution. Like Ramona Africa, I hope the Branch Davidians litigate relentlessly, until they win their righteous legal suits against the FBI.
This incident is a profound example of the fact that oppression is contagion. None of us are free until all of us are free. Those fascists who murder black persons because of their skin and dreadlocks, will also murder white persons because of their religion and personal property. Those who come for us today, will return for you tomorrow.
In 1985, Philadelphia police bombed the home of dreadlocked revolutionary rebels known as MOVE. That attack led to the state sanctioned torching of 61 homes and left 250 people homeless. 11 African people were murdered, including 5 children. In 1996, warrior Ramona Africa, the only adult survivor of this public execution, won $500,000 for pain and suffering. The family of MOVE founder John Africa, who was murdered in the execution, won $1,000,000. Other plaintiffs won smaller tokens.
Yet, this legal victory was never motivated by cash. As Ramona stated after the verdict was announced, “Money don’t have nothing to do with this! This is about taking a stand for all people so that their government knows that the people ain’t gonna have them bombing people and burning people alive!”
If what Ramona stated had been regarded as truth in 1985, perhaps Waco may not have happened in 1993. In some small way, that second execution may have played an accidental role in the legacy of MOVE. Now, millions of Americans are beginning to finally understand the fascist evil of martial law and how it threatens all of our lives across all boundaries of race and class.
Rabid racism was the reason for the terrorist attack upon MOVE and droves of their neighbors. The city of Philadelphia harassed MOVE members heinously. These ongoing abuses went on far longer than the siege at WACO. MOVE members were beaten, incarcerated, murdered, tortured, and harassed by Philadelphia police at two residences since 1974.
Even today, 14 years, and counting, after the public executions, 8 of 9 innocent MOVE members remain in prison; even after the legal victory has established that they were framed for the murder of a police officer, killed in the fray of friendly fire during the ambush and torching of their rebel peers. Merle Africa died while she was caged (See “Merle Africa” herein). Janine Africa, Janet Africa, Debbie Africa, Delbert Africa, Mike Africa, Edward Africa, Phil Africa, and Chuck Africa remain innocent as they are still being held captive inside the belly of the beast of the state of Philadelphia!
Rabid racism is also glaringly evident in the fact that trigger happy agents of martial law shot to kill and fire bombed MOVE members in mere minutes! On May 13, 1985, within 30 minutes after policemen arrived on the scene, MOVE members were torched . Federal killers waited several days before they filled the WACO compound with gas and then blasted bullets into flames.
State sanctioned murder is still murder. Gang banger drive-by massacres are still ambushes, even when the gangs are the ATF or the FBI. Freedom is a constant struggle. Power corrupts constantly. The Branch Davidians should have been free to collect guns and to practice their own religion. The FBI murdered these peaceful persons on their own private property. For that execution, the FBI should pay millions.
FREE THE MOVE 8 NOW!!!!
PAY THE BRANCH DIVIDIANS NOW!!!
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
12/99