I'm writing to you about a project that would be extremely helpful to the MOVE Organization, particularly the MOVE 9, but a project that we're confident will be very rewarding for you/your organization.
We're requesting that you, and other interested people that you know of, form a group called "Friends of MOVE" in your area. Such a group, which need not have more than a couple of people, would simply enable people in your area to get information about MOVE. I would keep information flowing to you so that you stay updated. In addition, I would provide you with a list of any people in your area that we have a relationship with. My goal for "Friends of MOVE" is to make it easier for people to know who we're in touch with in your area.
What "Friends of MOVE" will require is a stable address (perhaps a post office box), a stable phone number and hopefully a fax number so that people seeking information about MOVE would have a way to contact you. I would like somebody from the group to call me once a month for updated information. I would also like you to think about organizing events on May 13th and August 8th in your area, and /or sending a representative from your organization to Philadelphia to be part of our annual programs on these dates.
If this sounds feasible, and like a project you can and are willing to take responsibility for, contact me at (215) 476-8812 for more information. This is an *international* project; you would be part of a world-wide "Friends of MOVE" network that will be spreading information about MOVE.
I'll be waiting to hear from you and I'm looking forward to working with you in the future. Be STRONG, Be INVOLVED, Be SERIOUS-- we can't afford to be any other way.
On the MOVE
Ramona Africa,
for the MOVE Organization
FOLLOW UP INFO.
As a follow up to the information about the "Friends of MOVE" network, I'd like to detail some activities that we have in mind for individual chapters of the F.O.M., such as:
- Adopt a MOVE prisoner-- as each chapter is established, it can have members (or non-members) adopt a MOVE prisoner until all nine MOVE prisoners have a sponsor. The purpose of this activity is for people to get familiar with the MOVE 9 through writing and/or phone calls.
- Call MOVE headquarters here in Philadelphia (215-387-9955) once a month for updates on current activity.
- Send at least one representative of your chapter to Philadelphia twice a year (August 8th and May 13th) for our annual programs on those dates. Each chapter can also plan something in your area on the two dates listed above.
- Provide a stable address and phone number to us for your chapter of the "F.O.M." A fax and email number is useful if available.
- Show MOVE videos to small groups in your area to help inform people about MOVE.
- We will send an information packet to each chapter. The information can be photocopied and distributed to interested people.
- We will send each chapter of F.O.M. a list of supporters in their area. These people should be contacted and asked to participate in the "Friends of MOVE."
- Provide MOVE's address, phone, fax and email numbers to any people that want to contact us personally.
- Provide all interested people with a list of items for sale and their prices.
- For further info, contact us at: P.O. Box 19709, Philadelphia PA 19143; Tel-- (215) 387-9955; Fax-- (215) 476-7551; Email Onamovellja@aol.com or Uprising1978@aol.com
INFORMATION FROM A "FRIENDS OF MOVE" MEMBER
On the MOVE! LONG LIVE JOHN AFRICA!!!
Friends of MOVE chapters are working consistently to get out information about MOVE, and its founder, JOHN AFRICA. Friends of MOVE Amherst, a chapter formed only last summer in 2002, has already put together a documentary about MOVE this winter 2003 with noted historian Howard Zinn narrating the history of the organization since the early 1970s. Friends of MOVE Rochester has consistently held video showings and fed those attending good, wholesome raw or health foods. Friends of MOVE Philadelphia is monthly publishing "ONA MOVE" newsletters that focus on the MOVE 9, imprisoned throughout Pennsylvania for the last 25 years.
Internationally Friends of MOVE chapters are emerging throughout Europe. Support work is done in Spain between those engaged in the Catalan struggle and MOVE supporters. French supporters are contributing artwork, music, and organizing skills to the global movement. Seas don't separate those engaged in revolution. International supporters have remained close to the MOVE organization through consistent communication.
Personally, Friends of MOVE chapters allow for relationships with the MOVE 9 and those at home in the MOVE organization. MOVE's example has inspired every member of Friends of MOVE. As a member of a Friends of MOVE chapter, as I spread information about MOVE's work and struggle, I find myself applying LIFE's laws of hard physical work, eating healthy and naturally, and working to revolutionize myself first. My work in Friends of MOVE has included letter writing to the MOVE 9. Delbert Africa ignited my personal revolution by telling me, "Once we clean up the system within, the system on the outside is easy to confront and do away with." This truth has become increasingly evident as I watch the effects of MOVE's work. From MOVE's example, those of us engaged in Friends of MOVE are becoming examples of the revolution.
Each of us has a gift to add in disseminating information about MOVE. In this revolution for LIFE, MAMA, and ourselves, working together, speaking loudly and speaking the truth is, as JOHN AFRICA prophetically stated, "as urgent as your next breath and just as necessary."