MOVE is an organization formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1972 by John Africa and Donald Glassey. 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 group came to international attention after an attempt in 1985 by the Philadelphia Police Department to enforce outstanding arrest warrants for four members resulted in the police dropping a bomb containing C-4 and Tovex from a helicopter onto MOVE's residence. Eleven members died in the ensuing fire, including founder John Africa. Activist and convicted murderer Mumia Abu-Jamal[2] has been an active supporter of MOVE.[3]
Africa and his primarily African-American followers adopted the surname "Africa". They lived collectively in a house owned by Donald Glassey in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia. Their actions brought close scrutiny from the Philadelphia police. In 1978, an end was negotiated to an almost year-long standoff with police, but MOVE failed to relocate as required by the court order.[4] When the police later attempted entry, one policeman was killed and several people were injured.[5] Subsequently, MOVE moved to a new location, a row of tenements on Osage Avenue, in 1985. Again, they were viewed as a public nuisance. On May 13, 1985, the Philadelphia Police Department attempted to clear a building in which the MOVE members lived. The police intended to remove two wood-and-steel tactical bunkers constructed by MOVE on the roof by dropping a bomb made of military grade C-4 and a water-based gel used for mining explosions called Tovex. The resulting explosion, and the decision by Police Commissioner Sambor and Fire Chief Richmond to let the bunker burn caused the house to catch fire, igniting a massive blaze which eventually consumed almost an entire city block and left 240 people homeless. Eleven people, including John Africa, six other adults and four children, died in the resulting fire.[6]
In a 1996 civil suit in U.S. federal court, a jury ordered the City of Philadelphia and two former city officials 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.[7]
Seven of the nine MOVE members who were found guilty of third-degree murder in the shooting death of a police officer in 1978 are due for parole hearings in April 2008.[8]
MOVE is mentioned in many songs. Examples include the song Sunset on 32nd by Strike Anywhere; Operation M.O.V.E. by Leftöver Crack; M.O.V.E. by Fifth Column; Philadelphia by Atom and his Package; Mumia's Song by Anti-Flag; Stonez of Christ (featuring Jus Allah) by Jedi Mind Tricks; No Justice, No Peace by Aus Rotten; Watermelon City by Elizabeth Alexander on the DJ /rupture album Special Gunpowder; Be Careful Tonight by Beru Revue; Save a City... by Mischief Brew and "City of Soul" by Australia's Eurogliders; Proper Propaganda by Dilated Peoples; "M.O.V.E." by The Micranots.