MOVE Bombing: Philadelphia's Forgotten Tragedy and its Legacy

The MOVE Organization and its Philosophy

• 💡 MOVE was a Black revolutionary organization founded in the 1970s, following the teachings of John Africa.
• 🌱 Members adopted the last name Africa, lived communally, and advocated a lifestyle rooted in nature, including sun exposure.
• 🗣️ They protested issues like police brutality and advocated for living naturally, which often put them at odds with authorities and neighbors.

Early Confrontations with Authorities

• 💥 In 1978, a standoff with police over an eviction notice led to a shootout where one officer died, and nine MOVE members were convicted and imprisoned.
• ⚖️ Mike Africa Jr.'s parents were among those convicted, despite the mayor admitting he believed they were innocent.
• 💬 MOVE members were described as not being pacifists and would fight back if attacked by police, leading to frequent clashes.

The 1985 Bombing Tragedy

• 🎯 On May 13, 1985, Philadelphia police dropped a bomb on a MOVE home, killing 11 members, including five children, and destroying over 60 homes.
• 💥 Police fired over 10,000 rounds of ammunition into the house before dropping the bomb.
• ⚠️ A later investigative commission concluded the police actions were excessive and "unconscionable."

Legacy and Remembrance

• 💔 Mike Africa Jr., whose parents were released from prison in 2020, now works to preserve MOVE's history and the memory of the bombing victims.
• 🏛️ While the city council and former mayor have formally apologized, Africa Jr. advocates for a permanent memorial to commemorate the lives lost.
• 🚫 He notes that the government bombing its own citizens is an unprecedented event in American history, and the city's efforts to limit exposure to this history contribute to its forgotten status.
• ✊ Despite the trauma and controversy, Mike Africa Jr. is committed to ensuring the tragic events of the MOVE bombing are not forgotten.