Debbie Africa of the MOVE 9 Released from Prison After 40 Years

Debbie Africa of the MOVE 9 Released from Prison after 40 Years

Debbie Africa, with her lawyer Brad Thomson (left) and her son Mike Africa Jr. (right)

Debbie Africa, with her lawyer Brad Thomson (left) and her son Mike Africa Jr. (right)

On Saturday, June 16, Debbie Africa of the MOVE 9 was released from Pennsylvania state prison. Debbie was granted parole after spending 39 years, 10 months in prison.

Debbie was imprisoned since August 8, 1978, following an altercation between the Philadelphia police and the MOVE Organization. Debbie was one of 9 MOVE members, collectively known as the “MOVE 9,” who were convicted and sentenced to 30-100 years in prison following the 1978 altercation, despite evidence that exonerated them.

Debbie was eight months pregnant at the time of the 1978 incident and gave birth in jail to her son, Mike Africa Jr. (pictured above). Debbie has been incarcerated for Mike’s entire life and the two spent time together outside of prison for the first time following Debbie’s release.

People’s Law Office attorney Brad Thomson, along with lawyers from Abolitionist Law Center in Pennsylvania, represented Debbie in her application for parole. Unfortunately, Janet Africa and Janine Africa, two other members of the MOVE 9, were eligible for parole at the same time as Debbie and we denied.

MOVE is a Philadelphia-based radical, Black-led liberation organization opposed to environmental destruction and state violence. On May 13, 1985, seven years after the arrest of the MOVE 9, the Philadelphia police infamously dropped a firebomb on the MOVE home, killing 11 people, including 5 children and allowing over 60 homes to burn to the ground.

Debbie Africa with her attorney Brad Thomson, of People's Law Office

Debbie Africa after her release from prison, with Brad Thomson, one of her attorneys.

For more information, see:
The website for the MOVE Organization

“This is Huge”: Black Liberationist Speaks out After Her 40 Years in Prison – The Guardian

After 40 Years, First of MOVE 9 Granted Parole, Others Denied – Philadelphia Inquirer

MOVE 9 Member Debbie Africa Released From Prison After 39 Years – Philadelphia Magazine

Attorney Faults Parole Process for MOVE Members Still Jailed – AP Story on ABC News

After 40 Years, Debbie Africa of MOVE 9 Released From Prison – WHYY

MOVE’s Debbie Africa Speaks – Philadelphia Tribune

Baby-Snatching Practice Blocked Motherhood for 20-Million Seconds – This Can’t Be Happening

One MOVE 9 Member Gets Parole After 40 Years – Metro

Coming Home – Philadelphia Sunday Sun