1. John Africa, born Vincent Leaphart, was the founder of MOVE, a Philadelphia-based, predominantly black organization active from the early 1970s and still active.
12 Facts About John Africa
1. 2.
John Africa's father, Frederick Leaphart was a handyman while his mother Lennie Mae was a homemaker.
3.
John Africa would continue to struggle in school and dropped out at age 16.
4.
In 1972, Leaphart changed his name to John Africa to represent the continent where life began.
5.
John Africa managed to attract people in Philadelphia area who were willing to believe in his ideologies.
6.
John Africa later met Donald Glassey, a social worker from the University of Pennsylvania, who was so intrigued by Africa's teachings that he volunteered to write and compile the illiterate Africa's thoughts into a book.
7.
John Africa implicated Africa and other MOVE members in various crimes.
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Mumia Abu-Jamal 8.
Only Ramona and Birdie John Africa survived, though both suffered severe burns.
9.
John Africa's teachings emphasized the importance of all life and the ways in which capitalism, war, racism, and other social forces serve as direct opposition to this reality.
10.
John Africa encouraged strict vegetarianism, raw food, and communal living.
11.
Philadelphia activist Mumia Abu-Jamal has followed the teachings of John Africa, and was a supporter of the MOVE organization.
12.
The judge denied these requests as John Africa was not a licensed attorney.