An Inspiration to All: Yahya’s Impact on Those on the Inside and Outside
Testimonials from community members, including participants of JUST Listening (https://justlistening.net) attest to John’s leadership, perseverance and acts of care.
If you are a supporter of Yahya / John and would like to publish your words here on our testimonial page, please email us at: freejohnmoore[at]gmail.com ❤️
Marco Maldonado
“John Moore is innocent. He does not deserve to be in prison. He is a beautiful person that is unselfish, considerate, and loyal. We all hope and pray for his release. To know John is to appreciate the human spirit. His resilience is inspiring. Let’s bring John home! Love and Respect.”
Reverend Robin M. Hynicka
“From 1978 to 1993, I was the Pastor of the Cookman United Methodist Church, located on the NW corner of 12th Street and Lehigh Avenue. The church attracted dozens of children and youth to its afterschool program, youth group and summer camp. That’s how I met John Moore. He was a regular participant in all of the activities that the church offered. His positive energy, light-hearted nature and community spirit were obvious then and they remain obvious and operational today. Incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, that his current attorneys have documented, John never gave up hope of proving his innocence. As he approaches his next status hearing, I want to shout to the mountain top that John Moore is a wonderful person whose wonderful ways are sorely needed in the community movements to seek justice at all intersections of oppression. During one visit with John, he spent most of our time together reminiscing about the “good ole” days in the neighborhood and how what he learned from the church served him well during his decades behind bars. Many people involved in a variety of programs offered in prison attest to John’s voracious learning capacity and his unique ability to engage others in life affirming action. A short time after that visit, my wife of 24 years died from complications of lupus. Before the funeral, I received a letter from John offering his condolences and compassionate care. That gesture of solidarity and sincere agape love brought me to tears and gave me a feeling of hope that to this day I cherish with all my heart. John Moore is a person with an indomitable spirit and he is a gift to all of us. Help me tell this story and make John’s liberating spirit available to all the world.
In Liberating Love — Reverend Robin M. Hynicka, Lead Pastor, Arch Street United Methodist Church”
Sharon Browning
“John is a truly extraordinary leader of the JUST Listening program at S.C.I. PHoenix. He is a natural teacher and facilitator, and his magnetic Presence inspires and uplifts all of those privileged to know and work with him. He possesses a deep understanding of what it means to be love and do justice. His Light shines brightly wherever he is, and it is my fervent hope that he will soon be sharing his luminous gifts with those outside of prison.”
Judy Miller
“I am Judy Miller, one of the longtime Just Listening listeners. I attended the meeting at Chestnut Hill College, but was not able to attend the second meeting. I was very impressed at the first meeting by the number, variety and sincerity of people there to support John. Obviously, he has generated that concern and enthusiasm of people who want him to have his long deserved freedom. As a Listener at SCI Graterford and later SCI Phoenix, I was very impressed with John when he joined our group as part of the Inside Core Team for Just Listening. He is a natural leader and quickly became an integral part of the team. He was thoughtful and creative in planning trainings for other men in the prison. He has a great sense of humor which holds him in good stead during difficult times. He has integrity and looks for ways to improve himself. I believe John would add much to our community outside of prison.”
Donna Duffey
My name is Donna Duffey and I am a volunteer in the Just Listening program, which is the art of listening from a stance of justice. I met John Moore (Yahya to us) through our trainings at Graterford/Phoenix SCI. Yahya is a trained listener and member of our Phoenix Core Committee Inside/Outside Team that plans, strategizes and introduces JL to those incarcerated at Phoenix SCI, enabling better communication, stronger relationships, and more compassionate and wholehearted listening. Yahya became a member of the JL family immediately. He is extremely creative, innovative and compassionate. Working with Yaha has been not only a joy, but a learning experience for me personally. Yahya has a wisdom and insight in the implementation of skills building and helping to teach the concepts of JL in a unique and unambiguous way. He has a unique gift in the ability to communicate from the heart, enabling others to feel they have been heard. It has truly been a blessing and an honor to know and work with Yahya. He is irreplaceable to our JL team.”
Tricia Way
“I met John (Yahya) Moore in 2019 through a program that we were both volunteering in. I had already heard about this awesome guy named Yahya whom everyone thought was great. When I met him, I understood why. He is kind, sincere, thoughtful, a great listener, and very very funny. I learned of his innocence early on, and I am just so struck by how grounded he is. He has made a truly meaningful life in the midst of this horrifying reality of being wrongfully convicted and in prison for all of these years. He deserves to come home and live out all of his dreams on the outside. We would all be better for it. Whatever I can do to help, I am there! Let’s get Yahya (John Moore)free!!!”
JoLynn Mokos
“I know John Moore as an outside volunteer in the JUST Listening program at SCI. I want those concerned with him to know what a fine human being he is. He is very intelligent, thoughtful and reflective and has a positive influence on those with whom he is in contact. John has a great sense of humor, is compassionate and considerate and uses his virtues and values as he interacts with his fellow humans. He is a natural leader and person of integrity. John has so much that is good to offer to all.”
