MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy

Temple University and The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • 4.8 (60)
  • NEWS

On May 13th, 1985 the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a bomb on the home of MOVE, a Black-led back-to-nature group in West Philadelphia. The bomb and its fiery aftermath killed 11 people including 6 children. It destroyed 61 homes and left 250 people homeless.  Reporter Linn Washington has covered MOVE for more than 50 years. He weaves us through the tangled story of a cult-like leader, desperate neighbors, brutal cops, and a city torn apart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. MAY 27

    The Aftermath

    In the wake of the May 13th bombing, the City of Philadelphia holds a series of hearings to determine how an attempted arrest caused such profound destruction. We speak to former Mayor Wilson Goode on his own role on that day. MOVE continues to make headlines with allegations of child abuse within the organization, and people are still arguing over the identity of the youngest victims’ remains, some of which Penn Museum only recently acknowledged it still possessed. Mike Africa Jr., the new head of MOVE and Pam Africa, tells us where MOVE is today: a fractured group that still pushes its message. MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy is a production of Temple University Klein College's Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting and The Philadelphia Inquirer.Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering by Rowhome Productions.Check out new and archival stories about Move on The Philadelphia Inquirer website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  2. MAY 20

    The Bomb

    Former Philadelphia Daily News reporter Linn Washington takes us through his memories of May 13th, 1985, as police use everything in their arsenal to remove MOVE from their Philadelphia headquarters. The attempted eviction culminates in the dropping of a bomb on MOVE’s rowhouse, sparking a fire that killed 11 MOVE members — five of them children — and destroyed 61 homes in Philadelphia.MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy is a production of Temple University Klein College's Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting and The Philadelphia Inquirer.Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering by Rowhome Productions.Check out new and archival stories about Move on The Philadelphia Inquirer website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min

  3. MAY 13

    The Standoff

    The City of Philadelphia tries to evict MOVE from their Osage Avenue headquarters. As neighbors evacuate the block, former Inquirer reporter Maida Odom and former NBC10 photojournalist Pete Kane stay behind to tell the story. We follow Maida and Pete as they watch police prepare to remove MOVE from their rowhome by any means necessary.   MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy is a production of Temple University Klein College's Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting and The Philadelphia Inquirer.Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering by Rowhome Productions.Check out new and archival stories about Move on The Philadelphia Inquirer website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min

  4. MAY 6

    Shattered Peace

    MOVE relocates to Cobbs Creek, a predominantly Black middle-class neighborhood in Philadelphia, disrupting life as its residents know it. Former neighbors recount the rising tensions between MOVE and the residents of Philadelphia’s 6221 Osage Avenue, as MOVE employs new disruptive tactics — including a bullhorn, vermin, and a bunker — in their fight to free imprisoned members. MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy is a production of Temple UniversityKlein College's Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting and The Philadelphia Inquirer.Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering by RowhomeCheck out new and archival stories about Move on The Philadelphia Inquirer website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min

  5. APR 29

    The Battle of 1978

    Conflict between MOVE and the Philadelphia Police escalates. Former Daily News reporter Linn Washington and civil rights activist Walt Palmer take us through the events leading up to the 1978 Powelton Village shootout, and the incarceration of the MOVE Nine.  MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy is a production of Temple UniversityKlein College's Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting and The Philadelphia Inquirer.Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering by RowhomeCheck out new and archival stories about Move on The Philadelphia Inquirer website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min

  6. APR 22

    The Beginning

    In 1970s Philadelphia, John Africa thinks he has a solution to the problems plaguing the city — extreme back-to-nature living. He founds MOVE, and the organization begins its fraught relationship with Police Commissioner — and eventual Mayor of Philadelphia — Frank Rizzo.  MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy is a production of Temple UniversityKlein College's Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting and The Philadelphia Inquirer.Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering by Rowhome Productions.Check out new and archival stories about Move on The Philadelphia Inquirer website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  7. Introducing MOVE:Untangling the Tragedy

    SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Introducing MOVE:Untangling the Tragedy

    On May 13th, 1985 the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a bomb on the home of MOVE, a Black-led back-to-nature group in West Philadelphia. The fiery bomb and its aftermath killed 11 people including 5 children. It destroyed 61 homes and left 250 people homeless. Reporter Linn Washington has covered MOVE for more than 50 years. He weaves us through the tangled story of a cult-like leader, desperate neighbors, brutal cops, and a city torn apart.Episodes will be available every Tuesday beginning April 22 wherever you get your podcast.MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy is a production of Temple University Klein College's Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting and The Philadelphia Inquirer.Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering by RowhomeCheck out new and archival stories about Move on The Philadelphia Inquirer website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

On May 13th, 1985 the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a bomb on the home of MOVE, a Black-led back-to-nature group in West Philadelphia. The bomb and its fiery aftermath killed 11 people including 6 children. It destroyed 61 homes and left 250 people homeless.  Reporter Linn Washington has covered MOVE for more than 50 years. He weaves us through the tangled story of a cult-like leader, desperate neighbors, brutal cops, and a city torn apart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Temple University and The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Temple University
  • Show Website
    MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy

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