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===Origins and belief system===
===Origins and belief system===
MOVE was founded in 1972 as the '''Christian Movement for Life''' by [[John Africa]], a [[charismatic leader]] who, though [[functionally illiterate]], dictated a document describing his views known as ''The Guideline'' to graduate student [[Donald Glassey]]. Africa and his followers (the majority of them [[African-American]]), wore their hair in [[dreadlocks]] and advocated a radical form of [[green politics]] and a return to [[hunter-gatherer]] society while stating their opposition to science, medicine and technology. As John Africa himself had done, his devotees also changed their surnames to show reverence to [[Africa]], which they regarded as their mother continent.<ref name = "Anderson & Hevenor">John Anderson and Hilary Hevenor, ''Burning Down the House: MOVE and the tragedy of Philadelphia'', W.W. Norton & Co., 1987, ISBN 0-393-02460-1</ref>
MOVE was founded in 1972 as the '''Christian Movement for Life''' by [[John Africa]], a [[charismatic leader]] who, though [[functionally illiterate]], dictated a document describing his views known as ''The Guideline'' to graduate student [[Donald Glassey]]. Africa and his followers (the majority of them [[African-American]]), wore their hair in [[dreadlocks]] and advocated a radical form of [[green politics]] and a return to [[hunter-gatherer]] society while stating their opposition to science, medicine and technology. As John Africa himself had done, his devotees also changed their surnames to show reverence to [[Africa]], which they regarded as their mother continent.<ref name = "Anderson & Hevenor">John Anderson and Hilary Hevenor, ''Burning Down the House: MOVE and the tragedy of Philadelphia'', W.W. Norton & Co., 1987, ISBN 0-393-02460-1</ref>

===Activities prior to 1978 ===
===Activities prior to 1978 ===
The MOVE members lived in a [[Commune (intentional community)|commune]] in a house owned by Donald Glassey in the [[Powelton Village, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Powelton Village]] section of [[West Philadelphia]]. MOVE members staged [[bullhorn]]-amplified, [[profanity]]-laced [[demonstration (people)|demonstrations]] against institutions which they opposed morally, such as [[zoo]]s (MOVE had strong views on [[animal rights]]), and speakers whose views they opposed. MOVE made [[compost]] piles of garbage and human waste in their yards which attracted [[rat]]s and [[cockroach]]es; they considered it morally wrong to kill the vermin with [[pest control]]. MOVE attracted much hostility from their neighbors. Their actions brought close scrutiny from the Philadelphia police.<ref name = "Anderson & Hevenor" />
The MOVE members lived in a [[Commune (intentional community)|commune]] in a house owned by Donald Glassey in the [[Powelton Village, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Powelton Village]] section of [[West Philadelphia]]. MOVE members staged [[bullhorn]]-amplified, [[profanity]]-laced [[demonstration (people)|demonstrations]] against institutions which they opposed morally, such as [[zoo]]s (MOVE had strong views on [[animal rights]]), and speakers whose views they opposed. MOVE made [[compost]] piles of garbage and human waste in their yards which attracted [[rat]]s and [[cockroach]]es; they considered it morally wrong to kill the vermin with [[pest control]]. MOVE attracted much hostility from their neighbors. Their actions brought close scrutiny from the Philadelphia police.<ref name = "Anderson & Hevenor" />

===1978 shoot-out===
===1978 shoot-out===
In 1978, an end was negotiated to an almost year-long standoff with police over orders to vacate the Powelton Village MOVE house. MOVE failed to relocate as required by a [[court order]].<ref>{{cite news
In 1978, an end was negotiated to an almost year-long standoff with police over orders to vacate the Powelton Village MOVE house. MOVE failed to relocate as required by a [[court order]].<ref>{{cite news
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|accessdate=2008-03-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080411115748/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20080228_MOVE_members_due_for_parole_hearing.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-04-11}}</ref><ref>
|accessdate=2008-03-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080411115748/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20080228_MOVE_members_due_for_parole_hearing.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-04-11}}</ref><ref>
{{Cite news | title=MOVE members denied parole | last=Lounsberry | first=Emilie | date=June 5, 2008|newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] newspaper|pages=B06 | postscript=<!--None-->}}.</ref> Parole hearings now occur yearly.
{{Cite news | title=MOVE members denied parole | last=Lounsberry | first=Emilie | date=June 5, 2008|newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] newspaper|pages=B06 | postscript=<!--None-->}}.</ref> Parole hearings now occur yearly.

=== 1985 bombing ===
=== 1985 bombing ===

In 1981, MOVE relocated to a [[terraced house|row house]] at 6221 Osage Avenue in the [[Cobbs Creek, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Cobbs Creek]] area of West Philadelphia. On May 13, 1985, allegedly responding to months of complaints by neighbors that MOVE members broadcast political messages by bullhorn at all hours and also about the [[health hazard]]s posed by the piles of [[compost]], the police department claimed that they attempted to clear the building.<ref name="USAaccount">[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-05-11-philadelphia-bombing_x.htm Account of 1985 incident from USA Today].</ref> The police lobbed [[tear gas]] [[canister]]s at the building and the fire department battered the roof of the house with two [[water cannon]]s. The police fired 10,000 rounds at the house in two hours. A police helicopter then dropped a four-pound bomb made of [[C-4 (explosive)|C-4 plastic explosive]] and [[Tovex]], a [[dynamite]] substitute, onto the roof of the house without any prior warning. The resulting explosion caused the house to catch fire, igniting a massive blaze which eventually destroyed 65 houses.<ref name="Brian Jenkins"/><ref name="DemocracyNow">[http://www.democracynow.org/2010/5/13/25_years_ago_philadelphia_police_bombs 25 Years Ago: Philadelphia Police Bombs MOVE Headquarters Killing 11, Destroying 65 Homes]</ref><ref>{{cite news
In 1981, MOVE relocated to a [[terraced house|row house]] at 6221 Osage Avenue in the [[Cobbs Creek, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Cobbs Creek]] area of West Philadelphia. On May 13, 1985, allegedly responding to months of complaints by neighbors that MOVE members broadcast political messages by bullhorn at all hours and also about the [[health hazard]]s posed by the piles of [[compost]], the police department claimed that they attempted to clear the building.<ref name="USAaccount">[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-05-11-philadelphia-bombing_x.htm Account of 1985 incident from USA Today].</ref> The police lobbed [[tear gas]] [[canister]]s at the building and the fire department battered the roof of the house with two [[water cannon]]s. The police fired 10,000 rounds at the house in two hours. A police helicopter then dropped a four-pound bomb made of [[C-4 (explosive)|C-4 plastic explosive]] and [[Tovex]], a [[dynamite]] substitute, onto the roof of the house without any prior warning. The resulting explosion caused the house to catch fire, igniting a massive blaze which eventually destroyed 65 houses.<ref name="Brian Jenkins"/><ref name="DemocracyNow">[http://www.democracynow.org/2010/5/13/25_years_ago_philadelphia_police_bombs 25 Years Ago: Philadelphia Police Bombs MOVE Headquarters Killing 11, Destroying 65 Homes]</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956982,00.html
|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956982,00.html
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|quote=The Move property on Osage Avenue had become notorious for its abundant litter of garbage and human waste and for its scurrying rats and dozens of dogs. Bullhorns blared forth obscene tirades and harangues at all times of day and night. Move members customarily kept their children out of both clothes and school. They physically assaulted some neighbors and threatened others.
|quote=The Move property on Osage Avenue had become notorious for its abundant litter of garbage and human waste and for its scurrying rats and dozens of dogs. Bullhorns blared forth obscene tirades and harangues at all times of day and night. Move members customarily kept their children out of both clothes and school. They physically assaulted some neighbors and threatened others.
|accessdate=2009-02-15}}</ref> Eleven people, including John Africa, five other adults and five children, died in the resulting fire.<ref name="NYT_1996-06-25"/> The firefighters were stopped from putting out the fire based on allegations that firefighters were being shot at, a claim that was contested by the lone adult survivor Ramona Africa, who says that the firefighters had earlier battered the house with two deluge pumps when there was no fire.<ref name="DemocracyNow"/> Ramona Africa and one child, Birdie Africa, were the only survivors.
|accessdate=2009-02-15}}</ref> Eleven people, including John Africa, five other adults and five children, died in the resulting fire.<ref name="NYT_1996-06-25"/> The firefighters were stopped from putting out the fire based on allegations that firefighters were being shot at, a claim that was contested by the lone adult survivor Ramona Africa, who says that the firefighters had earlier battered the house with two deluge pumps when there was no fire.<ref name="DemocracyNow"/> Ramona Africa and one child, Birdie Africa, were the only survivors.

Mayor [[W. Wilson Goode]] soon appointed an investigative commission called the PSIC or MOVE commission. It issued its report on March 6, 1986. The report denounced the actions of the city government, stating that "Dropping a bomb on an occupied row house was unconscionable."<ref name="titlePhiladelphia Special Investigation (MOVE) Commission Manuscript Collection"/>
Mayor [[W. Wilson Goode]] soon appointed an investigative commission called the PSIC or MOVE commission. It issued its report on March 6, 1986. The report denounced the actions of the city government, stating that "Dropping a bomb on an occupied row house was unconscionable."<ref name="titlePhiladelphia Special Investigation (MOVE) Commission Manuscript Collection"/>

In a 1996 [[civil suit]] in [[United States district court|US federal court]], a jury ordered the City of Philadelphia to pay $1.5 million to a survivor and relatives of two people killed in the incident. The [[jury]] found that the city used [[excessive force]] and violated the members' [[constitutional]] protection against [[unreasonable search and seizure]].<ref name="NYT_1996-06-25"/> Philadelphia was given the [[sobriquet]] "The City that Bombed Itself."<ref>{{cite book|title=Compass American Guides Pennsylvania|author=G Shaffer, C Tiger, DL Root|year=2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite document|url=http://www.religionnewsblog.com/11182/the-move-disaster-may-13-1985|publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer|title=The MOVE Disaster: May 13, 1985|author=Larry Eichel|date=May 8, 2005|postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref>
In a 1996 [[civil suit]] in [[United States district court|US federal court]], a jury ordered the City of Philadelphia to pay $1.5 million to a survivor and relatives of two people killed in the incident. The [[jury]] found that the city used [[excessive force]] and violated the members' [[constitutional]] protection against [[unreasonable search and seizure]].<ref name="NYT_1996-06-25"/> Philadelphia was given the [[sobriquet]] "The City that Bombed Itself."<ref>{{cite book|title=Compass American Guides Pennsylvania|author=G Shaffer, C Tiger, DL Root|year=2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite document|url=http://www.religionnewsblog.com/11182/the-move-disaster-may-13-1985|publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer|title=The MOVE Disaster: May 13, 1985|author=Larry Eichel|date=May 8, 2005|postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref>

===2002 murder of John Gilbride===
===2002 murder of John Gilbride===
After the death of John Africa, his widow, Alberta, married John Gilbride Jr and had a child, Zackary Africa, circa 1996. The couple [[divorce]]d in 1999. After a [[custody battle]], a court ruling granted Gilbride [[partial custody]] of Zachary which allowed him unsupervised visits with his son. Gilbride moved to [[Maple Shade, NJ]]. Prior to his first visitation date with Zackary, an unknown assailant shot Gilbride dead by [[automatic weapon]] fire as he sat in his car shortly after [[midnight]] on September 27 while parked outside his home in an [[execution-style murder|execution-style slaying]]. The case remains unsolved. MOVE initially conjectured that the US government had [[assassination|assassinated]] Gilbride in order to frame MOVE. Alberta Africa, who initially acknowledged the murder, claimed in 2009 that Gilbride "is out hiding somewhere".<ref>September 26, 2009, Nark, Jason, "Slaying of ex-MOVEr still roils feelings 7 years later" http://www.phillyimc.org/en/slaying-ex-mover-still-roils-feelings-7-years-later</ref>
After the death of John Africa, his widow, Alberta, married John Gilbride Jr and had a child, Zackary Africa, circa 1996. The couple [[divorce]]d in 1999. After a [[custody battle]], a court ruling granted Gilbride [[partial custody]] of Zachary which allowed him unsupervised visits with his son. Gilbride moved to [[Maple Shade, NJ]]. Prior to his first visitation date with Zackary, an unknown assailant shot Gilbride dead by [[automatic weapon]] fire as he sat in his car shortly after [[midnight]] on September 27 while parked outside his home in an [[execution-style murder|execution-style slaying]]. The case remains unsolved. MOVE initially conjectured that the US government had [[assassination|assassinated]] Gilbride in order to frame MOVE. Alberta Africa, who initially acknowledged the murder, claimed in 2009 that Gilbride "is out hiding somewhere".<ref>September 26, 2009, Nark, Jason, "Slaying of ex-MOVEr still roils feelings 7 years later" http://www.phillyimc.org/en/slaying-ex-mover-still-roils-feelings-7-years-later</ref>

===Present activities===
===Present activities===
Ramona Africa acts as a spokesperson for the group and has given numerous talks at leftist events throughout the US and in other countries. MOVE continues to advocate for the release of jailed MOVE sympathizer and former resident of Philadelphia, [[Mumia Abu-Jamal]], convicted of the 1981 murder of police officer [[Daniel Faulkner]]. MOVE has also called for the release of imprisoned MOVE members, whom the group considers [[political prisoner]]s.
Ramona Africa acts as a spokesperson for the group and has given numerous talks at leftist events throughout the US and in other countries. MOVE continues to advocate for the release of jailed MOVE sympathizer and former resident of Philadelphia, [[Mumia Abu-Jamal]], convicted of the 1981 murder of police officer [[Daniel Faulkner]]. MOVE has also called for the release of imprisoned MOVE members, whom the group considers [[political prisoner]]s.

Revision as of 17:12, 21 January 2011

MOVE or the MOVE Organization (though the name is not an acronym, it is spelled by followers in capital letters) is a Philadelphia-based black liberation group founded by charismatic leader John Africa. MOVE was described by CNN as "a loose-knit, mostly black group whose members all adopted the surname Africa, advocated a "back-to-nature" lifestyle and preached against technology."[1] The Philadelphia Police Department raided their home in 1978 and later in 1985. During the latter event, the Philadelphia Police shot teargas at the MOVE headquarters and then dropped a four-pound, military-grade C-4 plastic explosive bomb on the house. The bombing resulted in 11 deaths (including 5 children) and the destruction of 65 homes in the resulting fires.[2] An investigative commission formed by the Philadelphia Mayor issued its report on March 6, 1986 denouncing the actions of the city government, stating that "Dropping a bomb on an occupied row house was unconscionable."[3] No one from the city government was charged criminally. In a 1996 civil suit in US federal court, a jury ordered the City of Philadelphia to pay $1.5 million to a survivor and relatives of two people killed in the incident. The jury found that the city used excessive force and violated the members' constitutional protection against unreasonable search and seizure.[4] On the 25th Anniversary of the 1985 Police bombing, the Philadelphia Inquirer created a detailed multimedia site containing retrospective articles, archived articles, videos, interviews, photos, and a timeline of the events.[5]

History

Origins and belief system

MOVE was founded in 1972 as the Christian Movement for Life by John Africa, a charismatic leader who, though functionally illiterate, dictated a document describing his views known as The Guideline to graduate student Donald Glassey. Africa and his followers (the majority of them African-American), wore their hair in dreadlocks and advocated a radical form of green politics and a return to hunter-gatherer society while stating their opposition to science, medicine and technology. As John Africa himself had done, his devotees also changed their surnames to show reverence to Africa, which they regarded as their mother continent.[6]

Activities prior to 1978

The MOVE members lived in a commune in a house owned by Donald Glassey in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia. MOVE members staged bullhorn-amplified, profanity-laced demonstrations against institutions which they opposed morally, such as zoos (MOVE had strong views on animal rights), and speakers whose views they opposed. MOVE made compost piles of garbage and human waste in their yards which attracted rats and cockroaches; they considered it morally wrong to kill the vermin with pest control. MOVE attracted much hostility from their neighbors. Their actions brought close scrutiny from the Philadelphia police.[6]

1978 shoot-out

In 1978, an end was negotiated to an almost year-long standoff with police over orders to vacate the Powelton Village MOVE house. MOVE failed to relocate as required by a court order.[7] When police later attempted entry, Philadelphia police officer James J. Ramp was killed by a shot to the back of the head. The source of the bullet is controversial, as the scene of the crime was ultimately destroyed by further action from the police. MOVE representatives claim that he was facing the house at the time, which would therefore negate the notion that MOVE was responsible for his death. Seven other police officers, five firefighters, three MOVE members, and three bystanders were injured in an unrelated crossfire.[8] As a result, nine MOVE members were found guilty of third-degree murder in the shooting death of a police officer. Seven of the nine became eligible for parole in the spring of 2008, and all seven were denied parole.[9][10] Parole hearings now occur yearly.

1985 bombing

In 1981, MOVE relocated to a row house at 6221 Osage Avenue in the Cobbs Creek area of West Philadelphia. On May 13, 1985, allegedly responding to months of complaints by neighbors that MOVE members broadcast political messages by bullhorn at all hours and also about the health hazards posed by the piles of compost, the police department claimed that they attempted to clear the building.[11] The police lobbed tear gas canisters at the building and the fire department battered the roof of the house with two water cannons. The police fired 10,000 rounds at the house in two hours. A police helicopter then dropped a four-pound bomb made of C-4 plastic explosive and Tovex, a dynamite substitute, onto the roof of the house without any prior warning. The resulting explosion caused the house to catch fire, igniting a massive blaze which eventually destroyed 65 houses.[2][12][13] Eleven people, including John Africa, five other adults and five children, died in the resulting fire.[4] The firefighters were stopped from putting out the fire based on allegations that firefighters were being shot at, a claim that was contested by the lone adult survivor Ramona Africa, who says that the firefighters had earlier battered the house with two deluge pumps when there was no fire.[12] Ramona Africa and one child, Birdie Africa, were the only survivors. Mayor W. Wilson Goode soon appointed an investigative commission called the PSIC or MOVE commission. It issued its report on March 6, 1986. The report denounced the actions of the city government, stating that "Dropping a bomb on an occupied row house was unconscionable."[3] In a 1996 civil suit in US federal court, a jury ordered the City of Philadelphia to pay $1.5 million to a survivor and relatives of two people killed in the incident. The jury found that the city used excessive force and violated the members' constitutional protection against unreasonable search and seizure.[4] Philadelphia was given the sobriquet "The City that Bombed Itself."[14][15]

2002 murder of John Gilbride

After the death of John Africa, his widow, Alberta, married John Gilbride Jr and had a child, Zackary Africa, circa 1996. The couple divorced in 1999. After a custody battle, a court ruling granted Gilbride partial custody of Zachary which allowed him unsupervised visits with his son. Gilbride moved to Maple Shade, NJ. Prior to his first visitation date with Zackary, an unknown assailant shot Gilbride dead by automatic weapon fire as he sat in his car shortly after midnight on September 27 while parked outside his home in an execution-style slaying. The case remains unsolved. MOVE initially conjectured that the US government had assassinated Gilbride in order to frame MOVE. Alberta Africa, who initially acknowledged the murder, claimed in 2009 that Gilbride "is out hiding somewhere".[16]

Present activities

Ramona Africa acts as a spokesperson for the group and has given numerous talks at leftist events throughout the US and in other countries. MOVE continues to advocate for the release of jailed MOVE sympathizer and former resident of Philadelphia, Mumia Abu-Jamal, convicted of the 1981 murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner. MOVE has also called for the release of imprisoned MOVE members, whom the group considers political prisoners.

References in music

List

See also

Notes

"The Roof is on Fire" by Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three is sometimes assumed to have been inspired by this incident. In fact, the single predated the MOVE bombing by a year. The song was, however, played during the ensuing protests near the site of the bombing.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Philadelphia, city officials ordered to pay $1.5 million in MOVE case; 1996-06-24; CNN.
  2. ^ a b Brian Jenkins (April 2, 1996). "MOVE siege returns to haunt city". CNN.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  3. ^ a b "Philadelphia Special Investigation (MOVE) Commission Manuscript Collection". Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  4. ^ a b c Terry, Don (1996-06-25). "Philadelphia Held Liable For Firebomb Fatal to 11". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "MOVE 25 years later". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  6. ^ a b John Anderson and Hilary Hevenor, Burning Down the House: MOVE and the tragedy of Philadelphia, W.W. Norton & Co., 1987, ISBN 0-393-02460-1
  7. ^ "Nose to Nose: Philadelphia confronts a cult". TIME magazine. August 14, 1978. Retrieved 2007-05-20.
  8. ^ "Surrender Immediately". TIME magazine Nine members of the organization were sentenced to a minimum of thirty years for third degree murder. August 21, 1978. Retrieved 2007-05-20. {{cite news}}: line feed character in |publisher= at position 18 (help)
  9. ^ Emilie Lounsberry (February 28, 2008). "MOVE members due for parole hearing". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  10. ^ Lounsberry, Emilie (June 5, 2008). "MOVE members denied parole". The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper. pp. B06..
  11. ^ Account of 1985 incident from USA Today.
  12. ^ a b 25 Years Ago: Philadelphia Police Bombs MOVE Headquarters Killing 11, Destroying 65 Homes
  13. ^ Frank Trippett (May 27, 1985). "It Looks Just Like a War Zone". TIME magazine. Retrieved 2009-02-15. The Move property on Osage Avenue had become notorious for its abundant litter of garbage and human waste and for its scurrying rats and dozens of dogs. Bullhorns blared forth obscene tirades and harangues at all times of day and night. Move members customarily kept their children out of both clothes and school. They physically assaulted some neighbors and threatened others.
  14. ^ G Shaffer, C Tiger, DL Root (2008). Compass American Guides Pennsylvania.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Larry Eichel (May 8, 2005). "The MOVE Disaster: May 13, 1985" (Document). Philadelphia Inquirer. {{cite document}}: Unknown parameter |url= ignored (help)
  16. ^ September 26, 2009, Nark, Jason, "Slaying of ex-MOVEr still roils feelings 7 years later" http://www.phillyimc.org/en/slaying-ex-mover-still-roils-feelings-7-years-later

Further reading

  • John Anderson and Hilary Hevenor, Burning Down the House: MOVE and the tragedy of Philadelphia, W.W. Norton & Co., 1987, ISBN 0-393-02460-1.
  • Robin Wagner-Pacifici, Discourse and Destruction: The City of Philadelphia versus MOVE (1994) University of Chicago Press
  • Johanna Saleh Dickson; Move: Sites of Trauma (Pamphlet Architecture 23) (2002) Princeton: Architectural Press
  • Toni Cade Bambara The Bombing of Osage Avenue Philadelphia: WHYY. DVD OCLC 95315483
  • Margot Harry, Attention Move! This is America (1987) Chicago: Banner Press, ISBN 0916650324
  • Michael Boyette & Randi Boyette, Let it Burn! (1989) Chicago: Contemporary Press, ISBN 0809245434
  • Ramona Africa (Contr. Author). "This Country Must Change: Essays on the Necessity of Revolution in the USA" (Arissa Media Group, 2009) ISBN 9780974288475

Pro-MOVE

Anti-MOVE

News media

Primary sources