I got my hands on 65 hours worth of live broadcast news coverage and special reports on the MOVE bombing which occurred 41 years ago today. I produced this piece using that archival footage.
On May 13, 1985, Philadelphia police dropped a C4 explosive on the home of the @themoveorganization family at 62nd and Osage Avenue, after 500 police fired over 10,000 rounds into the home. City officials allowed the fire to burn, killing 11 people including five children, and destroying 61 homes.
Eyewitness and forensic evidence indicates that several MOVE children attempted to flee the burning home through the rear but were either shot back inside or their bullet-ridden bodies were thrown back into fire by police waiting in the alleyway.
In 2021, it was revealed UPenn and Princeton had stolen the remains of several of the children and not only conducted experiments on them but also wheeled them out on gurneys at fundraising events.
John Africa's head has never been returned and saw marks on his neck indicate foul play during an unauthorized autopsy.
No one has ever been held accountable for any of it.
In 2023,
@mikeafricajr bought the house back which was originally owned by his aunt Louise James, but was seized by the City through eminent domain after the bombing and turned into a police substation. He is barred from turning the home into a memorial until he pays off the $400K mortgage, support link below.
Today we remember:
Rhonda Africa
Theresa Africa
Frank Africa
Raymond Africa
Conrad Africa
John Africa
Tree Africa (14)
Delisha Africa (13)
Netta Africa (12)
Phil Africa (12)
Tomaso Africa (9)
Ramona Africa (survivor)
Birdie Africa (survivor)
Support @moveactivistarchive
linktr.ee/themoveactivistarc…
Archival material accessed through Temple University's Digital Collections