29th Anniversary of the Philadelphia MOVE bombing ( May 13, 1985 )
by Dr. Samori Swygert
Today marks the 29th anniversary of the MOVE bombing in Philadelphia. On May 13th 1985, Philadelphia Police engaged a house in West Philadelphia that was occupied by both adults and kids. The occupants of this house were members of a group called MOVE.
The group was labeled and targeted by the authorities and informants. According to various sources, the group was founded by John Africa, and the objectives were based on a retreat to natural living, communal growth, holistic medicine, animal rights, and was associated with the Black Liberation movement.
Some neighbors within the community complained to police and city officials about the group’s sanitary conditions. Complaints detailed how an increase in rats, roaches, and other vermin started to plague the community because MOVE had constructed a compost of rotten food and waste. Police and city officials also claim that some neighbors had grown irritated from loud bullhorn/speaker messages from the group during varying hours of the day.
City officials and police compiled a dossier of violations that would help justify engaging the group. Police records of the group and its affiliated members composed of: illegal possession of firearms, parole violation, contempt of court, and terrorist threats. MOVE members were socially labeled as radicals, and scrutinized emphasis was placed on their style of life and dreaded hair.
The confrontation and bombing stems from a historical feud between MOVE members, the police, and the late 1970s Mayor of Philadelphia Frank Rizzo. In 1978, an altercation ensued between MOVE members and police that resulted in a police officer (Officer Jim Ramp) being shot and killed, and nine members of MOVE (known as The MOVE 9) being incarcerated with prison sentences of 30 years to life. Frank Rizzo had given the “okay” to bulldoze and fire hose the original MOVE house in a demolition.
The Aftermath of Carnage
Seven years later, police officers had shot tear gas canisters into the new home, fired multiple shots, and reloaded their weapons and kept firing into the house while babies were crying. A helicopter was manned and the police dropped two one-pound gel explosives onto the house with the adult and children occupants inside. This maneuver accelerated an inferno that destroyed 61 homes — approximately four city blocks — and left nearly 240 people homeless. The final tally revealed the death of six MOVE adults, and five children. There were only two survivors: a child (Birdie Africa) and a young female (Ramona Africa). You ask “How did a bombing of one house result in the destruction of 61 house?”… The historical phrase “ LET THE FIRE BURN” was broadcasted over the communication between police and city officials.
Ramona Africa is still diligently and relentlessly pursuing the release and vindication of the nine members currently incarcerated. Ramona still lives in Philadelphia, but travels all over the nation discussing the event and sociopolitical issues in America. She still embraces the group’s original philosophy. Sadly, Birdie Africa died in 2013, in a tub aboard a cruise at the age of 41.
The houses and surrounding vicinity of Osage Avenue were restored by developers and were poorly rebuilt — requiring renovation/rehabilitation. Some of the developers embezzled up to $200,000 from the construction budget. During the time of the bombing, Philadelphia was ran by an African American Mayor, Wilson Goode.
This story is very deep and should never be forgotten. This should remain within the annals of African American History, and the experience of being Black in America.
Here are some links for you to do your own research.
1) To order the documentary Let the fire burn, on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Let-Fire-Burn-Michael-Ward/dp/B00HXT6O4C
2) A timeline of events surrounding the bombing:
http://www.philly.com/philly/hot_topics/93010634.html?c=r
3) PBS discussion of the bombing and an interview with Ramona Africa: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/let-fire-burn-fallout-29-years
