MOVE

 

PHILADELPHIA—Four decades ago, a column of smoke rose over West Philadelphia, marking an act that would signal one of the darkest chapters in the city’s history.

On May 13, 1985, a Philadelphia police helicopter dropped a bomb on a row house at 6221 Osage Avenue, targeting the Black liberation group MOVE. The resulting fire was allowed to burn, consuming over 60 homes and claiming the lives of 11 people, including five children.

Today, 40 years later, MOVE family members, community members and advocates gathered to mark the 40th anniversary, remembering those lost and calling for a reckoning that has yet to come.

Event organizer Mike Africa Jr., a MOVE member and family descendant, reflected on a legacy of pain during his presentation held on the day of the commemoration.

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He told those gathered, “After the city of Philadelphia killed our family and took our house, they occupied it for decades and refused to return it. Despite their efforts to cover up and evade accountability, real justice only comes when people demand and fight for it themselves.

Through the Reclaim Osage campaign, we’re raising funds to buy back our home—not because the city is giving us anything, but because our community has the power to reclaim what was taken and keep pushing for justice.”

“That’s why we started the Reclaim Osage campaign. After the city gave our house to a developer for just one dollar, the property changed hands and was eventually put back on the market for over $400,000 due to gentrification and new ownership requirements. Despite raising more than $70,000 from generous supporters and in-kind donations, we still have a long way to go,” he said.

During an interview with The Final Call, Mr. Africa said, “They (the city) can do something to try to put in an effort.”

“But how do you make amends for killing someone? There’s a lot they could do. They could give us our house back. Wipe away any taxes they try to say we owe.

They could make a curriculum in Philadelphia schools so children can learn the truth about what happened, not just the stories about people like Christopher Columbus.” Reparations, he argued, must be more than words.

Annual stipends, full healthcare for aging MOVE elders, and restoring ownership of the family home all stand as actionable measures the city could take, but “they haven’t shown any interest in that,” he said.

Founded in the early 1970s by John Africa, MOVE was rooted in ideals of Black liberation, natural laws and natural living. The group’s members took on the surname Africa and adopted an unconventional lifestyle, clashing repeatedly with city officials over everything from loud protests to allegations of unsanitary living conditions.

Tensions flared throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, culminating in a deeply adversarial relationship with law enforcement and a few neighbors.

The morning of May 13, 1985, law enforcement arrived in force to evict MOVE members from their fortified home. Reports note that as many as 500 police officers were there. When negotiations broke down, police deployed tear gas and ultimately authorized the use of a bomb, dropped on the rooftop by helicopter.

Today, the decision to “let the fire burn” as the blaze spread across the neighborhood remains a haunting symbol of bureaucratic failure and racial injustice.” The bombing happened under the watch of Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, a Black man, and Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo, a White man.

The Philadelphia City Council formally apologized for the MOVE bombing in November 2020 and passed a resolution that established May 13 as an annual day of observation, reflection, and recommitment.  However, for survivors and the Black community, what happened is still a wound that has not healed.

Mike Africa Jr.’s calls echo a community’s ongoing frustration with what many see as the city’s insufficient attempts to address a deeply traumatic injustice. “They can’t make amends,” he said. “But they could at least acknowledge and take responsibility.”

Longtime MOVE member Moe Africa captivated the audience with his powerful presentation during the commemoration, sharing, “We’ve been on trial since the early ‘70s, and we’re still on trial right now. This trial isn’t just MOVE’s trial; it’s your trial, too.

It’s a fight against a system embedded with injustice, bias, and exploitation. MOVE has been battling not just for their own rights, but for everyone’s, because injustice knows no color. We stand firm in this fight and won’t stop until the system is held accountable,” said Moe Africa.

The mood at the commemoration was one of somber solidarity, laced with urgency. Sharif El-Mekki, a local educator and activist, attended to “stand in solidarity with humanity.” He recounted how the bombing shocked even children around the world, becoming a symbol of state violence against Black communities.

“What happened to MOVE can happen to anybody,” he said. “We need to be vigilant and educate everyone about fascism, racism, and anti-humane treatment—but also about what love can look like, too.” Mr. El-Mekki emphasized the difference between justice and accountability. “I don’t think justice can be provided,” he said.

“When you lose these many lives, not just to death, but through trauma and incarceration, the time for justice is long past. But there can be accountability.”

He insisted the MOVE family’s call for the return of their property is not only reasonable, but constitutionally right. “Property that belonged to people should be returned. With acknowledgment of the harm that was done.”

On the 40th anniversary of the bombing, as string instruments played in the background, speakers named the victims to ensure they are always remembered.

The children killed were Tree Africa, 14; Netta Africa, 12; Delicia Africa, 13; Little Phil Africa, 12 and Tomaso Africa, 9. The adults killed included: Rhonda Africa, Theresa Africa, Frank Africa, Raymond Africa, Conrad Africa and John Africa.

Birdie Africa and Ramona Africa survived. “Long Live Ramona,” the crowd said, recognizing the resilience of those who continue to speak out about the injustice of what happened.

Philadelphia residents like Jacqueline Wiggins say the legacy of the bombing is collective shame and a call to continuous resistance. “When you have something like this today, it is more than just remembrance.

We must fight, we must stand for what is just and right,” she said. She, like many others in attendance, remains deeply unsatisfied with the city’s prior apologies, calling it “not nearly enough.”

“The fact that Mike Africa is still asking for his home back—that should have been done,” she said.

Cornelia Swinson was born and raised in Philadelphia. She underscored the need for families to preserve and share the history of MOVE. “We have an obligation to keep that history alive and connect it to what’s happening in our community today,” she said. “They [the MOVE family] are the epitome of demanding respect for themselves.”

Forty years on, Philadelphia continues the slow, difficult work of reckoning with the MOVE bombing. For those dedicated to truth and justice, remembrance is active and unending.

Mike Africa Jr. urged the next generation to study the past and fight for meaningful change, beginning while “you have the energy to do it.”

— Albi Arhó