Several noted public figures, including Cornell West and Chuck D., will be leading a rally and march to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the MOVE tragedy tomorrow.

On May 13, 1985, Philadelphia police under orders from city officials dropped a bomb on a home at 6221 Osage Ave. occupied by several members of the MOVE organization. Eleven people, including five children, died in the resulting fire and dozens of nearby homes were destroyed.

The rally starts at 11 a.m. at 62nd and Osage and organizers are asking participants to “walk, bike, jog or caravan” to 38th and Market where a speak-out will begin at 4 p.m. Activist Angela Davis and writer Alice Walker have prepared video messages that will be played. Speakers include West, Chuck D., hop hop artist Rebel Diaz, activist and attorney Alton Maddox and activists from the Black Lives Matter movement.

If you are unfamiliar with the MOVE or the events surrounding the bombing, here is an excellent documentary released in 2013 that pieces together news footage and interviews. Other background resources include a post on Philadelphia Magazine’s site today. Here is a look back from the Philadelphia Inquirer during the 25th anniversary.

A young horseman crosses 45th and Baltimore on his way back to Clark Park. (Photo by Mike Lyons/West Philly Local)

One of the urban cowboys who often ride in Clark Park moseyed through Spruce Hill on Wednesday, crossing Baltimore at 45th on his way back to the park.

The annual benefit auction for University City Arts League, a great non-profit organization that offers art education and events to the community, is currently underway. Many amazing items are available for bidding, including beautiful art and jewelry pieces, handmade clothing items, oriental rugs, gift certificates to local restaurants and shops, tickets to various shows, books, vacation getaways, wine tastings and much more!

Online bidding closes at 10 p.m. on Monday, May 4. The live auction and party is on Saturday, May 9. Click here for more information.
 

The 8th annual May Day USA march and celebration will take place on Friday, May 1 in West Philadelphia. The event will kick off at 2 p.m. in front of the McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut Streets where a rally will be held calling for a livable wage for all workers. After the rally the participants will march to Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore) where a May Day family celebration will take place.

The Clark Park portion of the event is expected to start at 3 p.m. and will include the following activities and presentations, according to the event’s Facebook page: a DJ, live music, singers, poets, a BBQ by the Veterans For Peace Chapter 31 “Precision Grill Team,” children’s entertainment, and an array of notable speakers from Labor and other allied organizations in Philly. The annual Aggie Moran Human Rights Awards will also be presented.

The event is hosted by May Day USA Education Committee – Philadelphia (Facebook page), with participation by Fight for $15 and $15 Now organizations. The mission of this group, which was founded in 2006, is to educate people about the U.S. origins of May Day (celebrated as International Workers’ Day in many countries), so that “together we may reclaim our proud heritage.” For more information, go to May Day USA Education Committee’s Facebook page. You can also read about May Day here.

Again, so many great events are taking place in our neck of the woods this weekend for adults and children alike. In addition to the spring edition of Go West! Craft Fest at The Woodlands this Saturday, there will be some free Philadelphia Science Festival activities in Clark Park. Also a reminder that the annual Penn Relays are back this weekend. The schedule is here and expect traffic jams and a lot of visitors on and around Penn’s campus.

In the roundup below we included a few fundraisers for local children’s programs and a bird watching opportunity at Bartram’s Garden. For more events, visit our Events Calendar.

Saturday, April 25

BirdPhilly Bird Walk at Bartram’s Garden

54th and Lindbergh Blvd.

Come to historic Bartram’s Garden on Saturday morning to enjoy this free bird walk with guides from BirdPhilly when they expect to see late wintering waterfowl with early arriving breeders and migrants like warblers and orioles (both species). 7 – 10 a.m. More info.  Continue Reading

Everyone is invited to the corner of 40th and Chestnut streets on Thursday, April 23 to participate in the annual Take Back the Night march and rally to speak out in support of victims and survivors of domestic and sexual assault.

Marchers leaving from four different points near Center City (the others are: 22nd and Fairmount, 21st and Washington and 12th and Chestnut) will converge at the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) at 6:15 p.m. The march will leave 40th and Chestnut at 5:45 p.m. There will be a “Bust the Myths” street action outside the church. Inside, survivors and supporters will share stories and experiences with sexual and domestic violence.

Resources will be available to survivors and a 9:30 p.m. candlelight vigil will be held in memory of those lost to and still living in violent situations.

The Take Back the Night Facebook page is here.