On Saturday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m., the MOVE organization will host a film screening and discussion at A-Space Anarchist Community Center at 4722 Baltimore Avenue. Howard Zinn narrates the documentary, “MOVE!,” about the 1985 bombing of the organization’s headquarters at 6221 Osage Avenue in West Philadelphia. Eleven people died and 61 rowhomes were destroyed.
MOVE’s Ramona Africa will lead a talk and Q&A after the film screening. The tragedy, which took place over 30 years ago, sheds light on state violence against marginalized communities, especially those dedicated to social change and liberation. Visit their Facebook event page to RSVP.
A $5 suggested donation to the MOVE organization will help pay for rental space for their upcoming conference next month. Children are also welcome.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recently approved a historical marker for the site of the bombing, according to The Philadelphia Tribune. The site was nominated by the Jubilee School, where students have been studying the attack for the past two years.
Additionally, the MOVE organization will hold a conference at the Universal Audenreid Charter High School at 3301 Tasker Street on May 5 to 7, 2017. Admission is free and childcare is available. The community is asked to donate to the organization to help cover the cost of renting a local space. For more information, call 267-408-7802 or email onamovellja@gmail.com.
– Danielle Corcione
April 7th, 2017 at 9:56 pm
Move “dedicated to social change and liberation”? Please spare us the hagiography of a violent, anti-social cult. The bombing was tragic. The children innocent. The leaders share in the culpability. The city’s a better place without Move.
April 8th, 2017 at 10:08 am
Wealthy straight white male immigrant gentrifier speaking here:
I appreciate your input. I want to point out that “social change” is absolutely what they were after, whether or not you agreed with the flavor of social change.
It was a tragedy, no doubt, in the sense that it’s a tragic loss of black life.
I don’t find it hard to imagine that race played a huge part.
I can’t see white people – even if they are poor, and loud, and armed, and possibly firing guns – being bombed by the city.
For those who don’t remember, the “device” started a fire that engulfed many homes (30? 40? ish). The City hired contractors to replace the homes, and no surprise, they did a shoddy replacement job. Most of the block is abandoned now.
Lives were ruined because black people are scary, and the police aren’t patient when black folks start shooting guns, and the white public doesn’t care enough (IMHO).
Last time I checked, militant whites with guns are allowed to take over federal facilities, and they are politely asked to go home, no rush, thank you.
April 8th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Also, AWD, I might agree with your statement “the city is a better place without MOVE.”
The take-away of MOVE, unfortunately, isn’t about whether MOVE is positive or negative.
The take-away lesson of MOVE, IMHO, is that the government doesn’t respond in the same way depending on the color of skin. In a country where every politician pledges fealty to equal justice under law and due process, I don’t see equal justice or equal due process.
April 9th, 2017 at 1:34 pm
It’s like having Pol Pot give comments after a showing of “The Killing Fields”.