[Delbert Africa\MOVE]
Etienne: “Africa is just one of the many victims of the continuous domestic war on Black revolutionaries fighting for safety and liberation. Africa was a member of MOVE, the group of Black revolutionaries who were arrested 40 years ago.”
Photo: YouTube
Revolutionary MOVE freedom-fighter Delbert Africa passed on Monday.
The following was written by Angeline Etienne after the sudden death of MOVE member Delbert Africa.
“Oh my god–Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking… Like the brotha from Angola–released days before death. A strong soul; a great soul…” – Mumia Abu-Jamal
One of the hardest, hardest things to do is tell a person who has been down for decades, that someone they are close to has died. It is heartbreaking. You just have to be so raw and open and honest, and just be with the pain, and the wave of sadness.
There is no ok way to say it. Delbert Africa has passed…
Father. Comrade. Teacher. Elder. And now, Ancestor. We come together to mourn the passing of our beloved Delbert Africa. Surrounded by love and family, Delbert Africa passed in the comfort of his home on Monday, June 15th, 2020.
Africa is just one of the many victims of the continuous domestic war on Black revolutionaries fighting for safety and liberation. Africa was a member of MOVE, the group of Black revolutionaries who were arrested 40 years ago. In 1978, the police sieged MOVE’s headquarters in Powelton Village, Philadelphia and in 1985 they dropped a bomb on MOVE’S house, killing five children and six adults. Delbert Africa became an icon of the siege on MOVE for his moving conviction in the face of State violence. He was officially released on January 18th of 2020.
At the MOVE organization’s press conference to address Delbert Africa’s passing, Janine Africa detailed the calculated targeting and violence Mr. Africa experienced from prison officials. “They wanted to kill Delbert. They didn’t want Delbert to come out here and be strong. And we’re saying that what happened to Delbert is no different than what is doing done by the police to Black men and women all across America today.”
“Had my father received the treatment he needed,” Yvonne Orr-El said, “the healthy, strong, smiling, humorous, sarcastic man that I call my father would still be here today.”
Delbert Africa has been an inspiration to revolutionaries fighting police terror, animal exploitation, and anti-Black racism. His audio channel on Prison Radio imparts us all with words of wisdom, apt analyses of our political realities, and determination to see this through.
There is nothing more terrifying to this State than a Black revolutionary daring to actively put notions of freedom into practice. Delbert Africa stared this terror right in the eye for decades, refusing to perish through the hands of the murderous State. May we continue to honor his legacy, strength, and desire that all Black people are free from their chains.
Travel well, Delbert Africa.
When We Fight, We Win!
Angeline Etienne
Staff Member Prison Radio
