Murder at Ryans Run: exposing the cult of John Africa

This is Part 2—or as they say in France (where MOVE often solicits donations for themselves and Mumia)—Part Deux. It’s not as shocking as Part 1, but it’s still never-before-heard audio from 2001, recorded in the basement of MOVE’s Philly headquarters. A 23-year-old Mike Africa Jr. (aka Michael Davis) reflects on legacy, identity, and his self-declared natural rapping talent (pro tip: double the playback speed for that section). But tucked between the repetition and self-aggrandizing are research gems—and revealing slips of the MOVE tongue—that offer a more detailed picture of life inside the organization.

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

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Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

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All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

In this immersive, unedited episode, you’re sitting in the basement of MOVE headquarters in West Philly—24 years ago—listening as Michael Davis (known publicly as Mike Africa Jr., and within MOVE by the nickname “Puga,” which he no longer uses - talks freely while being interviewed by longtime MOVE "supporter" Peter Gordon, aka Dubside. At 23, Mike shares a version of MOVE’s history—and his own—that directly contradicts the narrative he tells today about 1985 as a public figure and the self-annointed new leader of MOVE.

This episode is part of a mini-season built around MOVE’s words—letters, recordings, and public statements—so their credibility can finally be fully examined, which is in the public interest. From Mike’s childhood outside the group to his return under Ramona Africa’s watch, this tape reveals fractured family ties, the making of MOVE’s next spokesperson, and the first signs that he was stepping toward the spotlight and seeking fame via the MOVE story. 

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

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Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
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If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

Two days before the 1985 fire that killed 5 children and 6 adults inside 6221 Osage Avenue, MOVE’s Minister of Information, Ramona Africa, sent a letter to police: “We will burn this motherf***ing house down and burn you up with us.” This handwritten letter has been publicly available for 40 years. So why is it rarely included in books, documentaries, or retrospectives—especially now, 40 years later? This episode brings her words back into the story—and asks us all to think critically about what MOVE calls “the strategy of John Africa (Vincent Leaphart)?"

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

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Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
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Facebook Page
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If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

This episode was put together quickly in order to publish before current charismatic spokesperson Mike Africa Jr. goes on WURD radio to talk about remains of MOVE children so this is my effort to put some questions out there for WURD to ask Mike.  I will write up better show notes tomorrow.  Going hit the hay so I can wake up at 5am my time to catch WURD in Philadelphia. Will post images etc. that go with episode tomorrow. 

Here are links I promised:

Firewalker New Balance 

Let The Fire Burn on OVID

PBS Frontline MOVE episode

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

Support the show

Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
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Facebook Page
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If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

*cw: profanity and death of children
It's hard to believe that an organization like MOVE, which preaches about natural foods and healthy living, could be responsible for the neglect and abuse suffered by its children. In this episode we share exclusive investigative information about Shaeida "She She" Hollaway, who disappeared from the group's care in 1978 at the age of five. Through in-depth research, we learn about MOVE's secretive practices that made it challenging for authorities to locate and safeguard the children's welfare. This eye-opening episode details the group's obsession with isolation and privacy in order to conceal it's true nature, leading to catastrophic consequences for its members, most particularly the dozens of children who died, went missing or suffered decades of abuse.  . 

Where is SHAEIDA HOLLAWAY? 
What happened to her in MOVE?
Will MOVE answer questions about SHAEIDA?  If not, what could they be hiding?

Go to our social media for the MISSING graphic we made so that you can share on your socials with two hashtags #WhereIsShaeida #MissingInMOVE

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

Support the show

Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
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Facebook Page
Podcast Press

If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

*explicit language and threats of violence

Whenever MOVE speaks it is always in "the plural" as "The MOVE Family" but what happens in the family stays in the family, like the movie FIGHT CLUB but even more insidious and culty.  So outsiders think MOVE is what they say they are - a loving committed family.  Over the two seasons you have heard exclusive interviews with former MOVE members sharing the dark secrets in the group.  The podcast has obtained a lot of internal MOVE materials and in this episode we share a letter that exposes the true family dynamics in MOVE. 

Here is the letter for you to read after you hear the episode:
LINK TO LETTER FEATURED IN EPISODE

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

Support the show

Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
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Facebook Page
Podcast Press

If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

*explicit: child abuse, animal abuse and racial slurs
MOVE wants the public to see them as a black liberation group and so Ria Africa has been conveniently erased from their current narrative which is why we made this entire episode all about the white rich girl named Suzy who became Sue Africa and then Ria  Africa.  For decades Ria has used the power given to her by MOVE founder Vincent Leaphart and then 2nd leader Alberta Wicker to abuse black children while saying she herself was not white and then Alberta saying she was white and  not black.  And then there is the whole thing about the white cult within the MOVE cult and the Hollywood director who fan girls over MOVE's cult fashion icon RIA. 

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

Support the show

Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
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Facebook Page
Podcast Press

If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

Mumia Abu Jamal is mostly known to the world as a former black panther, former radio journalist and for the last 41 years as a convicted murderer who had been sentenced to death but now is serving life in prison without parole.  What is less known about Mumia Abu Jamal is his long history with MOVE before he shoots Officer Daniel Faulkner on December 9, 1981 and that Mumia's lead publicist "handler" Pam Africa is also the Minister of Confrontation for MOVE.  Utilizing an audio cassette exclusivey obtained by the podcast this episode examines the undeniable 40+ year connections between MOVE, Mumia Abu Jamal and murdered ex-MOVE member John Gilbride.  Mumia and MOVE are one in the same thing, there is no halfsies or casual relationships that span 45 years like Mumia Abu Jamal aka Wesley Cook.   This episode will leave you with questions that the podcast could not get answered after repeatedly reaching out to Mumia and his lawyers/publicists.  

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

Support the show

Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
Instagram
Facebook Page
Podcast Press

If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

Support the show

Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
Instagram
Facebook Page
Podcast Press

If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law. 

*CW: discussion of domestic abuse, threats of violence and loss of life.

After more than 30 years Jeanne Africa is breaking her silence about the 5 years she was a devoted MOVE member sharing never-before-heard details about what she alleges was the true nature of MOVE - to overthrow the system by violent revolution and that in following Vincent Leaphart's teachings all of his followers were willing to kill or be killed for his  "revolution".   

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233

If you or someone you care about is possibly in a situation of coercive control here are some resources:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/culteducation

Cult Education Institute
International Cultic Studies Association
Janja Lalich 

The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America.

Support the show

Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara
Additional research by Robert Helms

Murder At Ryan's Run
Instagram
Facebook Page
Podcast Press

If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: [email protected]

All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.