Delivered-To: info@refuseandresist.org
From: MOVELLJA
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 11:47:23 EST
Mime-Version: 1.0
Subject: FROM THE MOVE ORGANIZATION
Our sister Merle Africa, a strong, healthy MOVE woman in her forties, died at SCI Cambridge Springs at approximately 3:00 am on the morning of Friday, March 13, 1998 in a very suspicious manner. Merle was one of the MOVE 9 that was arrested in Powelton Village on August 8, 1978 for the accusation of murdering policeman James Ramp. Despite the innocence of each of the MOVE 9, Merle and our other 8 sisters and brothers were sentenced to 30-100 years each in prison. This was the twentieth year of unjust imprisonment for Merle and the rest of the MOVE 9. An innocent woman spent twenty years of her life in prison and died under very suspicious circumstances. MOVE wants to know what killed our sister. MOVE wants to know how many more innocent MOVE people have to die in prison like Merle did, and what are people gonna do about it.
* Merle had a stomach virus several weeks ago. This virus was going around the prison, as well as the Cambridge Springs, PA area.
* Merle was eating oatmeal, crackers, peanut butter, fruit, salad, not from general dining area, but from commissary and brought to her by our MOVE sisters and other inmates.
* Merle was going to her job assignments daily. She was visited by MOVE members less than a week before her death and she was recovering from the virus. Two weeks ago, she was visited by the attorney for the MOVE 9, Paul Hetznecker who said Merle was in good health.
* On 3/12, on her way to work Merle was stopped by officials and a nurse and she was ordered a "lay-in." On the "lay-in" she was confined to her living quarters and fed only food prepared for her by the prison. Merle was issued this "lay-in" despite recovering from her virus and working daily. Upon being issued this "lay-in", a prison nurse said to Merle, "you know you're dying don't you?"
* In the very early hours of 3/13 our sister Debbie Africa discovered Merle unconscious less than 24 hours after being issued this "lay-in" and given the prison's food.
* While Debbie was with Merle, Merle's heartbeat, breathing and pulse were strong. Because she lost consciousness, Debbie alerted prison officials, who summoned paramedics from an outside hospital that was 10 minutes away. The medical attention took over 40 minutes to arrive.
* When the paramedics arrived, Debbie was ejected from the room and not allowed to monitor them while they "worked" on Merle, and was not allowed to see any of what was going on.
* At first, the prison said that Merle had died of tumors. Merle had never complained of tumors, or any symptoms of tumors to neither MOVE people or her own mother. Merle did not have tumors when she was unjustly arrested 8/8/78. Prison officials later changed their story to say that Merle died of "natural causes"
* Merle, as all MOVE members, was known for being healthy and strong and fit. She was not a sickly person. She was a young woman in her 40s.
* Merle was an innocent woman unjustly imprisoned for 20 years.
WE NEED YOU TO QUESTION Governor Ridge, Commissioner Horn and Superintendent Wolf about what happened the morning of March 13th
* Why was a "lay in" ordered? Please call and ask Superintendent Mr. Wolf this question. Also copy your inquiries to Commissioner Horn and Governor Ridge.
* Ask why Merle was not allowed her MOVE diet. Why did the authorities suddenly become concerned about the food Merle was getting. They have never allowed the MOVE diet and have on occasion marked the garlic, which is MOVE's diet, as contraband.
Right now we are asking people to call Cambridge Springs prison and demand answers to why a strong, young woman died in their custody. The number to Cambridge Springs is: 814 398 5400
Also people should call Camp Hill prison where our brother Edward Goodman Africa is imprisoned. Prison officials sadistically told Edward about Merle's death against our expressed wishes - we wanted to break the news to him - then they denied him a phone call. We have not heard from Edward who is in the hole and doesn't have access to phones unless prison officials give him a call. Demand that they give Edward a phone call to his family. The number to Camp Hill is: 717 737-4531
JOHN AFRICA told system officials that they forcibly took innocent MOVE people from our home against our will, they took us into custody, took responsibility for us, so if we so much as stubbed our toe, its their responsibility and we're holding them responsible.
Merle died in the hands of this system, in the hands of system officials - meaning all those responsible for putting Merle and all innocent MOVE people in prison - and we are holding them all responsible.
Long Live John Africa And Down With This Rotten Ass System!
The MOVE Family.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge
225 Main Capitol Bldg.
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Tel: (717)787-2500 11/98
Fax: (717)783-4429
Martin F. Horn, Secretary
Commissioner, PA. Dept. of Corrections
Department of Corrections
2520 Lisburn Road
P. O. Box 598
Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598
Tel 717-975-4859
Fax 717-787-1758
World Wide Web Page: http://www.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Corrections/overview.html
E-Mail to State of Pennsylvania: webmaster@state.pa.us
SCI Cambridge Springs
Mr. William Wolf, Superintendent
451 Fullerton Ave
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238
Phone: ( 814)-398-5400
SCI Camp Hill
Kenneth Kyler ,Superintendent
PO Box 200
Camp Hill, PA 17001-0200
Phone (717) 737-4531
[posted March 15, 1998]
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