Our Story

On May 13, 1985, the city of Philadelphia–with the help of the U.S. federal government– dropped a military-grade bomb on the home of The MOVE Organization, a collective of Black naturalist revolutionaries founded in 1972 in West Philadelphia by John Africa.

Eleven children, women, and men of MOVE were murdered and the homes of 61 working class Black families in the Cobbs Creek community were destroyed after police and fire personnel intentionally allowed the fire produced by the bomb to burn.

The Bombing of MOVE is a defining moment in the long and ongoing history of state repression of Black radicalism in Philadelphia and of the specific targeting of The MOVE Organization.

Years earlier, in 1978, police raided and razed MOVE’s first headquarters in the Powelton Village neighborhood of West Philadelphia.

In the process, nine MOVE members–commonly known as The MOVE 9–were brutally arrested and politically imprisoned for over 40 years. For too long, MOVE’s story has been dictated by the state’s criminalization and incarceration of its members and media control of the organization’s narrative.

That is, until now.

The MOVE Activist Archive was officially birthed in 2018 after the passing of Louise James Africa, who owned MOVE’s home at 6221 Osage Avenue that was destroyed in 1985 and seized by eminent domain. Her great nephew, our Legacy Director, Mike Africa Jr., who is a second generation MOVE member and keeper of the organization’s memory, inherited the extensive archival collection that Louise diligently preserved for decades.

Totaling more than 75 linear feet, this collection includes tens of thousands of original MOVE records and artifacts, including paper documents recovered from the bombing, cassette and VHS tapes, legal documents, prison correspondence with incarcerated MOVE members, published and unpublished writings from MOVE founder John Africa and other members, investigative reports, and protest signs and flyers, among other materials.

With the release of the 7 surviving members of The MOVE 9 between 2018 and 2020, and Mike Jr.’s purchase of 6221 Osage Avenue in 2023, The MOVE Archive is now able to tell MOVE’s story on its own terms and in the most important location related to its history.

MOVE TIMELINE

Explore the pivotal moments that have shaped the MOVE organization, highlighting our enduring struggle and resilience against state oppression.

1972

Founding of MOVE

MOVE was founded by John Africa in West Philadelphia as a collective of Black naturalist revolutionaries, dedicated to the protection of Life and revolution.

1978

The MOVE 9 Arrest

On August 8, 1978, the police attacked MOVE’s headquarters in Powelton Village after months of a starvation blockade against the organization. Nine members, who later became known as The MOVE 9, were arrested and sentenced to 30-100 years in prison, beginning a long battle for justice.

1985

Bombing of MOVE

After years of escalating tensions between MOVE and City officials around freedom for The MOVE 9, Philadelphia police dropped a bomb on MOVE’s Cobbs Creek home, and deliberately allowed the resulting fire to burn. This horrific act of state violence resulted in the tragic murder of 11 MOVE members, including 5 children, and the destruction of 61 homes across two city blocks. We remember the 11 martyrs–Tree Africa (14), Netta Africa (12), Delisha Africa (13), Little Phil Africa (12), Tomasa Africa (9), Rhonda Africa (30), Teresa Africa (26) , Frank Africa (26) , Raymond Africa (50) , Conrad Africa (36), John Africa (53)–and 2 survivors–Ramon Africa and Birdie Africa (now late).

2018

Release of MOVE 9 Members

After 40 years of political imprisonment, the surviving members of The MOVE 9 were released between 2018 to 2020, Debbie Africa, Mike Africa, Janet Africa, Janine Africa, Eddie Africa, Chuck Africa, and Delbert Africa. Two members, Merle Africa and Phil Africa, died while incarcerated.

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2020

Launch of MOVE Activist Archive

After the release of The MOVE 9 in 2018, and the passing of MOVE’s unofficial archivist, Louise James Africa in 2019, the dream of creating a space for MOVE to tell its own story began in earnest. In 2020, The MOVE Activist Archive was officially launched by second-generation MOVE member Mike Africa Jr. to preserve MOVE’s memory, redefine the state-driven narrative around the organization, and inspire future generations in the fight for justice.

2023

Reclaim Osage

In January 2023, Mike Africa. Jr. fulfilled his great-aunt Louise’s dying wish to bring 6221 Osage Avenue back into their family, by purchasing the house bombed in 1985. By working to preserve this historic site, The MOVE Archive educates and advocates for reparative justice, using MOVE’s history as a tool to challenge systemic oppression and inspire resistance.