The Buildup: 1968-1985
Dublin Core
Title
The Buildup: 1968-1985
Description
Philadelphia was a city with a unique culture for violence. Frank Rizzo, who served as Police Commissioner and later Mayor, created a police department that gained noteriety for brutalizing minorities.
In 1972, West Philadelphia native Vincent Leaphart established the "Christian Movement for Life", an organization dedicated to "back to nature" ideals as well as combating corruption, racism, and police brutality. The group later became known as MOVE.
As the decade progressed, MOVE became more radicalized, leading to increasingly violent confrontations with police.
Go to The Bombing: May 13, 1985
In 1972, West Philadelphia native Vincent Leaphart established the "Christian Movement for Life", an organization dedicated to "back to nature" ideals as well as combating corruption, racism, and police brutality. The group later became known as MOVE.
As the decade progressed, MOVE became more radicalized, leading to increasingly violent confrontations with police.
Go to The Bombing: May 13, 1985
Collection Items
Untitled (MOVE Members Outside Powelton Village Headquarters)
MOVE members stand in front of their headquarters in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia brandishing weapons and speaking their message over a megaphone. Part of MOVE's methodology was to be loud and unhygenic to the point where…
Untitled (Police and Firefighters Take Cover During 1978 Shootout)
Philadelphia Police and Firefighters take cover during a shootout with MOVE on August 8, 1978. Police arrived that morning to serve arrest warrants for several members of MOVE. What ensued was a violent shootout, the first armed confrontation between…
Officer Killed As Philadelphia Radicals Are Evicted
Despite reaching an agreement with the city about vacating the property they were using as headquarters, MOVE backed out of their end of the deal. Police arrived at MOVE's headquarters early in the morning of August 8, 1978 with the intent of…
"Philadelphia Is On The Move," Mayor Says of His First Year
!["Philadelphia Is On The Move," Mayor Says of His First Year](https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/51337/archive/square_thumbnails/21370962dd89d57c34b5421f26e8d330.jpg?Expires=1714608000&Signature=l9Y%7ERVNyulJ5aP9j-YztbgH4FLxqpHqeaFRdmIzXHbUgYh0dqSFuPX%7EwB%7E8pPHJsB2zNvZyecxeElmG%7Eugwq1NLQxs-e6w7Az83%7EtYSUMsjNv2YmTB3ODjyIzKKp3Mw8Yw9EOFE36NipbbLtt0FhuW2smG7ncPRlJhfP1H5mmZxT3B%7EWxJesNtmh1w7LFrBfoULmeomm2JQdfUF0zd80c83jo4TBvistqQCqBUH1jsFd9QK7pdvGumHLSoLOjEJt4D91%7E2AKydOgu4n2phVUpOyr0Y-2J42V0OtWg7iKJk2XZu6TAZCTeiItfdnSCFztooG6lFfxV2UZsNtpZ3RXlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM ""Philadelphia Is On The Move," Mayor Says of His First Year")
Despite the title, the MOVE organization is not mentioned once in this review of Mayor Goode's first year in office. While the city had not had any significant clashes with MOVE in almost five years, the group had not gone away in the years following…
Untitled (MOVE In Front Of Headquarters)
Members of MOVE pose in front of their Powelton Village headquarters. This photo was taken in the same year as the clash with police that left Officer James Ramp dead. The outstretched fist is a common symbol of the Black Power movement, used most…
The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal
While not a member of MOVE, Mumia Abu-Jamal (born Wesley Cook) was a Philadelphia native and member of the Black Panther Party. He was a critic of Philadelphia Police and their treatment of MOVE members, particularly following the arrests of the MOVE…
Untitled (John Africa)
John Africa, seen here in the car with sunglasses, is released after being acquitted on weapons possession and conspiracy charges in 1981. Africa (formerly Vincent Leaphart) founded MOVE in 1972. He insisted that all members of MOVE change their…
Untitled (MOVE Fortifies The Compound)
MOVE moved into a row house at 6221 Osage Avenue in 1982. They quickly began turning the home into a fortress. Some exterior changes are visible in this photograph, such as the boarded up windows, megaphones attached to the walls, and the bunker on…
"The Toughest Cop In America" Campaigns For Mayor of Philadelphia
!["The Toughest Cop In America" Campaigns For Mayor of Philadelphia](https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/51337/archive/square_thumbnails/5d0701db286076ed7e673958a35e2216.jpg?Expires=1714608000&Signature=jY5insn5YQxxpcA-hBxErxLSvynIl5N-cE2Xxd-tOFChNS1%7E69t2VTyzpeTDo0v8voy4icR%7EqK7my5kPd9-Vbe%7EUaw3118XKrPD0Wya8qWnfyEuUQAflAQfe9TwqNC2toZNbGIXheEVvr6%7EOhf-C--riJVY-E54Vx5Folkdj4-LqysZN5fgrM64Nl3a%7Ek3i3B26CxNMeeFUBD0tbTNKQgS-S66TsYTCDsUFYbt6Zn3X1PjWXGJEKSXOr3sU37pqcbbxRh0-lt-hEbhc-FTNRhLXBoVWMj06WyrtFmpn2Kag-AaF6-OyB46QEE83BSUPjLEnJ9ANJ1b12dHWQn90CKA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM ""The Toughest Cop In America" Campaigns For Mayor of Philadelphia")
This article covers the tenure of controversial Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo as he began his campaign for Mayor. While Rizzo would ultimately win the election, he did it mainly through support of low and middle-income white Philadelphians. Under…
Untitled (Delbert Africa's Arrest)
This image of Delbert Africa's arrest gained national noteriety. Delbert Africa was a member of MOVE and was arrested as one of the "MOVE 9" in the shootout that killed Officer Ramp. Here, he strikes a pose reminiscent of Jesus on the cross as…