Browse Items (13 total)

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…

W. Wilson Goode and his wife, Velma, wave to supporters after he was elected Mayor of Philadelphia. Goode was the first African-American mayor in the history of Philadelphia. Given the turmoil of the Rizzo years, there was hope that Goode would show…

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…

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…

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…

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…

The documentary Amateur Night at City Hall detailed Frank Rizzo's rise from deputy police commissioner to mayor of Philadelphia. This film accurately portrays the atmosphere that Rizzo created in the city. Most lower-class white Philadelphians…

Then-Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo addresses the media at a press conference. As Commissioner, Rizzo was devoted to putting criminals behind bars using whatever means necessary. These harsh tactics and his larger-than-life personality made him…

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…

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…