John Africa vs The System
As part of the government’s plan to eliminate MOVE,
John Africa was accused of bomb-making and brandishing weapons. He was a fugitive for three years from the federal government between 1978 and 1981. In 1981, he was captured on May 13, 1981 and stood trial against a Harvard- and Cornell-trained prosecutorial team. He represented himself and his co-defendant Moe Africa–and walked out free, acquitted on every single charge.
Gallery
Closing Statement of John Africa
This is an original court transcript of John Africa’s closing statement on July 16, 1981 from the federal trial stemming from John Africa’s May 13, 1981 arrest in Rochester, New York. He represented himself (and co-defendant Moe Africa) and they were acquitted on all charges. [023a]