Browse Items (40 total)

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…

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…

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…

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…

The founder of MOVE was one of the victims of the bombing. Here, supporters show solidarity as John Africa's funeral procession passes by Osage Avenue. Their stance shows that what John Africa created was larger than himself. MOVE did not die with…

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…

This photo was taken the day after the bombing. After the fire was put out, first responders arrived on the scene to clean up the damage. Included in that cleanup was taking away the remains of eleven MOVE members who died; five of the dead were…

As the standoff continued, the fire department tried using water from fire hoses to knock down the walls of the compound or the rooftop bunker. Water poured into the building, but failed to create an opening for police. After this failed, police…

The fire soon spread to surrounding rowhouses, which quickly spread to cover the entire block. Firefighters were not sent to fight the flames. There are conflicting reports about whether or not Commissioner Sambor or Mayor Goode said to "let the fire…

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…