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On a Move: Philadelphia’s Notorious Bombing and a Native Son’s Lifelong Battle for Justice
The incredible story of MOVE, the revolutionary Black civil liberties group that Philadelphia police bombed in 1985, killing 11 civilians—by one of the few people born into the organization, raised during the bombing's tumultuous aftermath, and in the face of unthinkable systemic abuses, entrusted with repairing what was left of his family and building life anew. Before police dropped a bomb on a residential neighborhood on May 13, 1985, few outside Philadelphia knew a Black-led peace organization had taken root there. Founded in 1972 by a charismatic ideologue called John Africa, MOVE’s mission was to protect all forms of life from systemic oppression, drawing ideology from the Black Panther Party, PETA, and Earth First. The organization emerged in an era when Black Philadelphians suffered under devastating policies brought by President Ronald Reagan’s War on Drugs and Mayor Frank Rizzo’s overtly racist police surveillance. Living together in a commune of West Philly row houses, MOVE members took the surname Africa out of admiration for the founder. But in MOVE’s lifestyle, city officials saw threats to their status quo. The city’s bombing of their commune shocked the nation and made international news. Eleven people were killed, including five children. And the City of Brotherly Love became known as the City That Bombed Itself. Among the surviving children most affected by the bombing was Mike Africa, Jr. Born in jail following a police attack on MOVE that led to his parents’ incarcerations, Mike was placed in an abusive orphanage at age three. He was six and living with his grandmother when the commune was bombed. In the ensuing years, Mike sought purpose in the ashes left behind. He studied the law as a teenager and learned how to speak and inspire public support with the help of other MOVE members. In 2018, at age 40, he finally succeeded in vindicating his parents and securing their release from prison. On a Move is one of the most unimaginable stories of injustice and resilience in recent American history. But Mike Africa, Jr.’s experience is not only one of tragedy. It is about coming-of-age as an activist, the strong ties of family, and, against all odds, learning how to take indignities on the chin and to work within the very system that created them. At once a harrowing memoir and an impassioned examination of racism and police violence, On a Move testifies to the power of love and hope, in the face of astonishing wrongdoing.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2024
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January 8, 2025
A movement that was misunderstood, and the hostility that was directed towards MOVE ultimately resulted in a bombing by the city of Philadelphia on its own citizens. MOVE was targeted right from the start because they failed to join the “system” and of course .any behavior that is anti herd-like is automatically suspect. What do you mean, you only eating raw foods?
Why you not sending the kids to school? Why everybody wearing their hair locked? What you mean you having that baby at home? So anytime the stance is different from what is expected from citizens, authorities get nervous.
And Mike, Jr. does not try to present a comprehensive history of MOVE, but an insider’s look at what is was like to grow up as a MOVE child. He tries to give readers a balance of what he perceived as good and helpful and other things that were dubious and consistently worth questioning. His mission in this book is to bring an appreciation and true understanding of MOVE, and mainly I think he succeeds.
“I think most people don’t know what MOVE is and
never knew what it is about. That includes some of the people who were in it. Some people think MOVE is a bunch of bad motherfuckers that you best not mess with. Some people think MOVE is the people who helped their son when he was getting bullied at school. Some people think MOVE is a group of people who helped them past their time in prison a little more easily and help keep the guards off their backs. I think overall society thought MOVE was a crazy cult of people who wanted to fight the police.”
MOVE was standing up for animal rights before PETA was formed. MOVE were environmentalists before that term became popular, and with so many of their members being jailed and serving long prison terms, they had to become prison activists. So much of their work has been dissed and dismissed because they were labeled weird and cultish, they were demonized and ostracized, but they are still on the MOVE!
Why you not sending the kids to school? Why everybody wearing their hair locked? What you mean you having that baby at home? So anytime the stance is different from what is expected from citizens, authorities get nervous.
And Mike, Jr. does not try to present a comprehensive history of MOVE, but an insider’s look at what is was like to grow up as a MOVE child. He tries to give readers a balance of what he perceived as good and helpful and other things that were dubious and consistently worth questioning. His mission in this book is to bring an appreciation and true understanding of MOVE, and mainly I think he succeeds.
“I think most people don’t know what MOVE is and
never knew what it is about. That includes some of the people who were in it. Some people think MOVE is a bunch of bad motherfuckers that you best not mess with. Some people think MOVE is the people who helped their son when he was getting bullied at school. Some people think MOVE is a group of people who helped them past their time in prison a little more easily and help keep the guards off their backs. I think overall society thought MOVE was a crazy cult of people who wanted to fight the police.”
MOVE was standing up for animal rights before PETA was formed. MOVE were environmentalists before that term became popular, and with so many of their members being jailed and serving long prison terms, they had to become prison activists. So much of their work has been dissed and dismissed because they were labeled weird and cultish, they were demonized and ostracized, but they are still on the MOVE!
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November 1, 2024I enjoyed this! Once I realized the bombing is such a small part of the book I really was able to like..settle into it. I still want to read more about the bombing and like I guess organizing side of what MOVE stood for but this is a great memoir that talks about what it was like to be a second generation member.
August 16, 2024
I wrote this book. I’m reviewing it because of the writer attached to it, D. Watkins and the editor Rakia Clark. I told them my story and they helped me put it together and say it better than I could on my own. Reading it and reliving unbelievable moments makes me really feel lucky to be alive. I loved reading it and next I’ll listen to it on Audible. Well done team.
August 19, 2024
I am so grateful that I read this book. Prior to reading it I had never heard of MOVE or the bombing of the MOVE headquarters. This book is about so much more than the bombing though. It is a thorough history of MOVE, the people of MOVE and a childhood and coming of age as part of MOVE. It is also about racism, police brutality, unchecked power, and a failure of justice.
Whether you agree with the MOVE organization, their beliefs, their actions, etc. it is impossible not to be heartbroken while reading this book. The children born into the organization were innocent. Period. Netta, Tree, Phil Jr., Tomaso and Delisha were innocent children lost to a battle of wills between adults, all of whom should have put them first. They were not the only children who were horribly failed by the adults around them but reading about their last moments will stick with me longest.
The bombing of MOVE headquarters is a heartbreaking moment in United States history and it should be taught about in schools.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Whether you agree with the MOVE organization, their beliefs, their actions, etc. it is impossible not to be heartbroken while reading this book. The children born into the organization were innocent. Period. Netta, Tree, Phil Jr., Tomaso and Delisha were innocent children lost to a battle of wills between adults, all of whom should have put them first. They were not the only children who were horribly failed by the adults around them but reading about their last moments will stick with me longest.
The bombing of MOVE headquarters is a heartbreaking moment in United States history and it should be taught about in schools.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2025
I'm still unsure what this book intended to be: a history or a memoir. The majority of the book is written like a straight history. Almost like a book report? There is very little commentary or critical analysis. He just.... says stuff. MOVE believed this. MOVE did this. But he almost never offers any opinion on the teachings. It's almost bizarre. While I can appreciate the basic tenants of MOVE in regard to protecting all life, animal welfare, environmental protection, etc., I cannot think of any other way to describe the actual day-to-day operation of the group other than "cult." That's also really the only thing that explains his refusal to engage critically with anything at all related to MOVE's teachings. The only criticism he offers of anything is towards the end about Bert (the wife of the late Benny, aka John Africa, killed in the bombing) and Sue and their lack of effort (and totally apathy) towards bring the MOVE 9 home from prison.
MOVE prioritized health and wellness and exercise. They only ate raw food. He makes claims that Benny was able to heal illness purely with healthy eating and exercise ? specifically claiming that Benny cured:
- the pain of two men, one who was nearly paralyzed with 8 plastic rib replacements and another with a broken back, with healthy eating, yoga, and stretches
- the pain of a woman with "debilitating boils and tumors" resulting from a botched backdoor abortions with "dietary advice and some exercises to do"
- fertility issues.
A lot of statements are just very reductive and/or hard to believe.
MOVE members did not participate in the systems of the us government so did not get legally married, they committed themselves to each-other within what they called "MOVE marriages." These were incredibly traditional in terms of gender roles and explicitly excluded gays and lesbians. He writes "Benny considered anything other than heterosexuality as antilife. In later years, some people left MOVE because of it. Benny simply saw it as part of the weeding out process." And then he moves right on. Does he really have no thoughts about that? He and his sister are also later pressured into MOVE marriages as teens: him, at 17, to 14-year-old Robin, despite his discomfort with her age.
There is also not a single citation in the entire book. Which is bizarre. While a lot of it is clearly reporting from conversations he has had with MOVE members and their recollections, he does cite facts and historical occurrences beyond the scope of common knowledge that absolutely require citation. While I generally believe him as a narrator, he makes it nearly impossible to verify any of his statements.
The properties they lived in were absolutely not appropriate relative to the size of their group. Regarding a property in Virginia, "a dozen or so kids and three adults" lived in a house with three bedrooms and only one bathroom where the only running water was the toilet. And yet he's perplexed that neighbors and non-MOVE family members of these children—who were also not in school and were functionally illiterate—were calling social services to report neglect. "The agency claimed malnourishment and lack of cleanliness because the children spent most of their time naked." Well yeah, they only ate raw, uncooked food and had no way to bathe other than with cold toilet water! Later, when talking about his time as a child in that house, he lists the names of a total of 14 children living there. In this house with no "heat, hot water, bed frames, mattresses, or electricity."
At the house they later moved into back in Philly, another three bedroom, one bathroom home, they "slept four of five kids to a room, with one adult in each room."
They taught the children that anyone not in MOVE was a "pervert." Literally. The insider-vs-outsider messaging was STRONG. After moving into that house in Philly, his grandmother LaVerne "took all the kids aside and gave us a long lecture. She said 'We are family. We are MOVE. We are guided by the wisdom of the Coordinator. The outside world is not a part of MOVE. The outside world is different from MOVE. We all protect each other. We don't hurt anyone. But if anyone outside this house, outside this family, tries to hurt you, you fight them. You fight them hard.'"
One of the MOVE members who died while incarcerated died of untreated cancer because he had been taught "MOVE members don't get cancer" and to reject going to the hospital. And then after his death was written off as having died because he didn't follow the teachings well enough, otherwise he wouldn't have. CRAZY!
There are also a number of narrative inconsistencies throughout the book. Or things that just don't make much sense at all and are unclear how the stories he's telling relate at all to the point he's trying to make with them.
One confusing part is regarding whether or not one of the MOVE members, Consuewella, disavowed MOVE. On page 53 he writes "Consuewella, Sandra, and DeeDee—down for the MOVE cause but terrified of a murder charge—told the judge they were simply supporters of MOVE and that was why they were at headquarters. They insisted that they were not members. But that was not totally true. Consuewella was, in fact, a full member but downplayed her affiliation to avoid the full wrath of the justice system."
Later, on page 109, he writes "Sandra, DeeDee, and Consuewella had been present in the house on August 8, 1978, the day the crime happened, yet Sandra and DeeDee were never seriously charged. Consuewella refused to disavow MOVE; she was tried separately and sentenced to sixteen to twenty-three years."
I could go on through my notes I made in the margins, but overall the book was just deeply perplexing. Very little is explored in any detail. He just says stuff and then moves right along. I would have liked to hear his thoughts about MOVE's beliefs and tactics. But he just parrots them. The organization was just so so strange. "Cult" really is the best word.
But to be clear: nothing justifies what happened to them.
MOVE prioritized health and wellness and exercise. They only ate raw food. He makes claims that Benny was able to heal illness purely with healthy eating and exercise ? specifically claiming that Benny cured:
- the pain of two men, one who was nearly paralyzed with 8 plastic rib replacements and another with a broken back, with healthy eating, yoga, and stretches
- the pain of a woman with "debilitating boils and tumors" resulting from a botched backdoor abortions with "dietary advice and some exercises to do"
- fertility issues.
A lot of statements are just very reductive and/or hard to believe.
MOVE members did not participate in the systems of the us government so did not get legally married, they committed themselves to each-other within what they called "MOVE marriages." These were incredibly traditional in terms of gender roles and explicitly excluded gays and lesbians. He writes "Benny considered anything other than heterosexuality as antilife. In later years, some people left MOVE because of it. Benny simply saw it as part of the weeding out process." And then he moves right on. Does he really have no thoughts about that? He and his sister are also later pressured into MOVE marriages as teens: him, at 17, to 14-year-old Robin, despite his discomfort with her age.
There is also not a single citation in the entire book. Which is bizarre. While a lot of it is clearly reporting from conversations he has had with MOVE members and their recollections, he does cite facts and historical occurrences beyond the scope of common knowledge that absolutely require citation. While I generally believe him as a narrator, he makes it nearly impossible to verify any of his statements.
The properties they lived in were absolutely not appropriate relative to the size of their group. Regarding a property in Virginia, "a dozen or so kids and three adults" lived in a house with three bedrooms and only one bathroom where the only running water was the toilet. And yet he's perplexed that neighbors and non-MOVE family members of these children—who were also not in school and were functionally illiterate—were calling social services to report neglect. "The agency claimed malnourishment and lack of cleanliness because the children spent most of their time naked." Well yeah, they only ate raw, uncooked food and had no way to bathe other than with cold toilet water! Later, when talking about his time as a child in that house, he lists the names of a total of 14 children living there. In this house with no "heat, hot water, bed frames, mattresses, or electricity."
At the house they later moved into back in Philly, another three bedroom, one bathroom home, they "slept four of five kids to a room, with one adult in each room."
They taught the children that anyone not in MOVE was a "pervert." Literally. The insider-vs-outsider messaging was STRONG. After moving into that house in Philly, his grandmother LaVerne "took all the kids aside and gave us a long lecture. She said 'We are family. We are MOVE. We are guided by the wisdom of the Coordinator. The outside world is not a part of MOVE. The outside world is different from MOVE. We all protect each other. We don't hurt anyone. But if anyone outside this house, outside this family, tries to hurt you, you fight them. You fight them hard.'"
One of the MOVE members who died while incarcerated died of untreated cancer because he had been taught "MOVE members don't get cancer" and to reject going to the hospital. And then after his death was written off as having died because he didn't follow the teachings well enough, otherwise he wouldn't have. CRAZY!
There are also a number of narrative inconsistencies throughout the book. Or things that just don't make much sense at all and are unclear how the stories he's telling relate at all to the point he's trying to make with them.
One confusing part is regarding whether or not one of the MOVE members, Consuewella, disavowed MOVE. On page 53 he writes "Consuewella, Sandra, and DeeDee—down for the MOVE cause but terrified of a murder charge—told the judge they were simply supporters of MOVE and that was why they were at headquarters. They insisted that they were not members. But that was not totally true. Consuewella was, in fact, a full member but downplayed her affiliation to avoid the full wrath of the justice system."
Later, on page 109, he writes "Sandra, DeeDee, and Consuewella had been present in the house on August 8, 1978, the day the crime happened, yet Sandra and DeeDee were never seriously charged. Consuewella refused to disavow MOVE; she was tried separately and sentenced to sixteen to twenty-three years."
I could go on through my notes I made in the margins, but overall the book was just deeply perplexing. Very little is explored in any detail. He just says stuff and then moves right along. I would have liked to hear his thoughts about MOVE's beliefs and tactics. But he just parrots them. The organization was just so so strange. "Cult" really is the best word.
But to be clear: nothing justifies what happened to them.
August 7, 2024
Note To The Author:
OMG! This book was absolutely amazing! WOW! Just WOW👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Mike Africa Jr. words cannot express my gratitude to you for removing the veil and allowing us to see inside THE MOVEMENT.
Before reading this book I had so many questions about MOVE. But not anymore. You’ve answered every question, plus many more. Exquisitely written. I was on an emotional roller coaster beginning with page one. From anger, to happiness, sadness and surprise, I experienced it all while reading this book.
This is a story about MOVE. But what made this narrative so impactful is the telling of your life story within this family. Reading about your experiences humanized an organization many vilified.
There wasn’t one dull moment in this book. The story of your birth blew me away. Your parents love story is truly unbelievable. And then we have Wilson Goode😲, what an unfathomable turn of events🤯. My heart broke reading about that horrible May morning on Osage Ave. Learning the details of it all, and how everyone REALLY died, broke my heart into pieces. I literally shed a tear while reading what happened to Rhonda while protesting at City Hall.
What I appreciate most about this memoir is that you don’t try to make MOVE appear to be perfect. You share the good, the bad and the ugly. And you gave it to us straight with no chaser. You unveiled the flaws within their system, yet you stood firm in your truth.
I applaud you for not giving up the fight to free your family👏🏽.
Your story should be made into a movie! I’m going to need Will Smith and his Westbrook production team to bring this book to life. This is a story I will never forget!
Special thanks to Rockinked for gifting me this amazing ARC. Because of your post I learned of this phenomenal memoir. 𝐎𝐧 𝐀 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 is a must read for everyone!
OMG! This book was absolutely amazing! WOW! Just WOW👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Mike Africa Jr. words cannot express my gratitude to you for removing the veil and allowing us to see inside THE MOVEMENT.
Before reading this book I had so many questions about MOVE. But not anymore. You’ve answered every question, plus many more. Exquisitely written. I was on an emotional roller coaster beginning with page one. From anger, to happiness, sadness and surprise, I experienced it all while reading this book.
This is a story about MOVE. But what made this narrative so impactful is the telling of your life story within this family. Reading about your experiences humanized an organization many vilified.
There wasn’t one dull moment in this book. The story of your birth blew me away. Your parents love story is truly unbelievable. And then we have Wilson Goode😲, what an unfathomable turn of events🤯. My heart broke reading about that horrible May morning on Osage Ave. Learning the details of it all, and how everyone REALLY died, broke my heart into pieces. I literally shed a tear while reading what happened to Rhonda while protesting at City Hall.
What I appreciate most about this memoir is that you don’t try to make MOVE appear to be perfect. You share the good, the bad and the ugly. And you gave it to us straight with no chaser. You unveiled the flaws within their system, yet you stood firm in your truth.
I applaud you for not giving up the fight to free your family👏🏽.
Your story should be made into a movie! I’m going to need Will Smith and his Westbrook production team to bring this book to life. This is a story I will never forget!
Special thanks to Rockinked for gifting me this amazing ARC. Because of your post I learned of this phenomenal memoir. 𝐎𝐧 𝐀 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 is a must read for everyone!
September 6, 2024
I recognize that this book was written from one person's point of view along with the stories he had heard growing up. I wanted more. I want to know what the heck made the "authorities" think they could blow up a house and not decimate the neighborhood? And, would this have happened if they were white people holed up in that house? (rhetorical question) I want to know how all those kids are surviving today without an education. I want to commend Mike Africa Jr on never giving up the fight to get his parents out of prison. I knew the story of the actual bombing event, but appreciated getting the history and personal aftermath.
February 25, 2025
This was an amazing window into Move. Absolutely essential for anyone that wants to even pretend they have any idea what Move is and what they stand for.
November 9, 2025
thoroughly enjoyed this book and reading about the trials and tribulations and ups and downs of the philly MOVE organization. i appreciated the direct writing and visual storytelling, but the one thing i cannot get over was everyone in MOVE only eating raw foods. like you're telling me these people were eating raw meat and eggs and not once getting salmonella?????
March 3, 2025
An interesting history of the MOVE movement from its initial conception through 2023. It covers the MOVE bombing, but a whole lot more. Mike Africa's account is enhanced because he walks readers through all his own doubts about Joe Africa's teachings as well as what he accepts. I'm glad I read it.
December 19, 2024
If you don’t know much about the Philadelphia MOVE bombing or the MOVE movement, I highly recommend reading On A Move by Mike Africa Jr. This book offers a rare and deeply personal account of these events, particularly significant because so many MOVE members have passed away, been imprisoned, or disappeared since the movement’s most active years.
This is not an exhaustive exploration of the MOVE bombing itself, but rather an emotive narrative of a child’s experience growing up Black in a time when Blackness and Black identity were constantly criminalized, watched, and judged. It’s also a story of a child born into MOVE, navigating the expectations of both society and the organization. The book offers an emotional perspective on loss—parents, friends, siblings—and the anguish of watching loved ones imprisoned, as well as the hope and joy of their eventual return.
That said, if you’re looking for a book that fully captures the breadth of the MOVE bombing and its aftermath, this isn’t quite it. I’ve read another book on this subject, but it often felt as though the author was justifying the actions of the police—a stance I find unacceptable. There is no excuse for what happened that day.
It’s a reminder that whether or not one agrees with MOVE’s philosophies or actions, violence is never the answer. As we see today, white nationalist groups openly commit acts of violence, harass people at marches, and more, yet they aren’t facing similar threats. That’s why it’s no surprise there’s a book out there trying to justify the targeting of a Black organization.
Sadly, we may never have the full story of what happened that day. However, I deeply appreciate Mike Africa Jr. for putting his feelings, thoughts, and experiences into words. His account sheds light on the pain of loss, the strength of resilience, and the importance of finding and honoring one’s identity.
This is a topic I believe everyone should learn about, and it should be taught in schools. Unfortunately, if it ever were, it would likely be sanitized or distorted. Books like this are vital for filling in the gaps, shining a light on the history we aren’t taught, and pushing us to question why that is.
This is not an exhaustive exploration of the MOVE bombing itself, but rather an emotive narrative of a child’s experience growing up Black in a time when Blackness and Black identity were constantly criminalized, watched, and judged. It’s also a story of a child born into MOVE, navigating the expectations of both society and the organization. The book offers an emotional perspective on loss—parents, friends, siblings—and the anguish of watching loved ones imprisoned, as well as the hope and joy of their eventual return.
That said, if you’re looking for a book that fully captures the breadth of the MOVE bombing and its aftermath, this isn’t quite it. I’ve read another book on this subject, but it often felt as though the author was justifying the actions of the police—a stance I find unacceptable. There is no excuse for what happened that day.
It’s a reminder that whether or not one agrees with MOVE’s philosophies or actions, violence is never the answer. As we see today, white nationalist groups openly commit acts of violence, harass people at marches, and more, yet they aren’t facing similar threats. That’s why it’s no surprise there’s a book out there trying to justify the targeting of a Black organization.
Sadly, we may never have the full story of what happened that day. However, I deeply appreciate Mike Africa Jr. for putting his feelings, thoughts, and experiences into words. His account sheds light on the pain of loss, the strength of resilience, and the importance of finding and honoring one’s identity.
This is a topic I believe everyone should learn about, and it should be taught in schools. Unfortunately, if it ever were, it would likely be sanitized or distorted. Books like this are vital for filling in the gaps, shining a light on the history we aren’t taught, and pushing us to question why that is.
September 9, 2024
Covers the combing on Osage Avenue, the events that led up to it and the aftermath. Interesting book. Would have liked an index.
February 7, 2025
This was an interesting and informative read. I was familiar with the bombing but knew very little about MOVE, its mission, its members, and their way of life. They were radical, controversial, one might even say UNHINGED. Though I don’t agree with all their tactics, I respect the “by any means necessary” attitude. MOVE members stood on business. They didn’t just fight for Black people but for all lives, taking a stance against animal injustice before PETA, eating raw before it became a trend, natural births before the popularity of doulas. Real gangstas, ready to go to jail or die for their beliefs.
Another thing I didn’t know or give much thought to is how MOVE’s neighbors were impacted by their radical actions. I always assumed they were beloved by all and while neighbors agree that the bombing was horrific and uncalled for, there was some disdain for MOVE’s housing conditions, late night bull horn protests, unkempt children, and large number of stray dogs.
I appreciate that Mike Africa Jr. is objective in his retelling of this story. Although MOVE was founded by his grandfather and carried out by his parents, he doesn’t shy away from sharing what could potentially be seen as a negative perspective of the group. He simply shares his story. At once a grievous personal account and an impassioned examination of racism and police violence, On a Move testifies to the power of love and hope in the face of astonishing wrongdoing. Highly recommend!
Another thing I didn’t know or give much thought to is how MOVE’s neighbors were impacted by their radical actions. I always assumed they were beloved by all and while neighbors agree that the bombing was horrific and uncalled for, there was some disdain for MOVE’s housing conditions, late night bull horn protests, unkempt children, and large number of stray dogs.
I appreciate that Mike Africa Jr. is objective in his retelling of this story. Although MOVE was founded by his grandfather and carried out by his parents, he doesn’t shy away from sharing what could potentially be seen as a negative perspective of the group. He simply shares his story. At once a grievous personal account and an impassioned examination of racism and police violence, On a Move testifies to the power of love and hope in the face of astonishing wrongdoing. Highly recommend!
January 14, 2025
fascinating account of growing up in MOVE, navigating all the complex interpersonal dynamics along the way and especially in the wake of the bombing, and especially his role in getting his parents out of prison after 40 years and being able to see them together again.
He's now the legal owner of MOVE, albeit estranged from a number of the long-term members incl. his sister. Boils it down to being environmentalists, animal rights activists, and out to protect all life, as followers of the teachings of John Africa, though in the epilogue he acknowledges that it's kind of understandable that people missed or underemphasized these points amidst all the confrontations with cops, railing against the System, keeping kids out of school, causing a "ruckus" 24-7 in the neighborhood, being armed to the teeth, and so on.
I misunderstood from the title, blurbs, etc. that it would be a lot about the bombing, but it's really not. That's mentioned/described of course, but it's not an in-depth analysis of the event itself or any sort of 360 perspective. For a bare-bones summary I recommend the wikipedia article on 1985 MOVE bombing, and of course there are lots of more detailed accounts in various media. Hard to believe that the city's official apology wasn't until 2020.
Then again.....we lived in Philadelphia for a year a few years after the bombing, and I vividly remember how much it was debated in newspaper letters to the editor, talk radio, etc. Sort of "yes, perhaps the police and the city overreacted, but MOVE's actions could not be tolerated..........."
Leaving aside all the ways in which MOVE created problems for authorities and neighbors, I keep coming back to ........a LOT of people, who had been dealing with the situation for YEARS, discussed/planned/considered under no particular time urgency [this was not a "fog of war" situation], and settled on the idea of BOMBING a house with kids inside and deliberately letting the fire burn, killing 11 people and destroying 61 houses.
In sum, I'd recommend supplementing this one with other accounts, but it's a valuable take from the inside of what life in MOVE was like.
He's now the legal owner of MOVE, albeit estranged from a number of the long-term members incl. his sister. Boils it down to being environmentalists, animal rights activists, and out to protect all life, as followers of the teachings of John Africa, though in the epilogue he acknowledges that it's kind of understandable that people missed or underemphasized these points amidst all the confrontations with cops, railing against the System, keeping kids out of school, causing a "ruckus" 24-7 in the neighborhood, being armed to the teeth, and so on.
I misunderstood from the title, blurbs, etc. that it would be a lot about the bombing, but it's really not. That's mentioned/described of course, but it's not an in-depth analysis of the event itself or any sort of 360 perspective. For a bare-bones summary I recommend the wikipedia article on 1985 MOVE bombing, and of course there are lots of more detailed accounts in various media. Hard to believe that the city's official apology wasn't until 2020.
Then again.....we lived in Philadelphia for a year a few years after the bombing, and I vividly remember how much it was debated in newspaper letters to the editor, talk radio, etc. Sort of "yes, perhaps the police and the city overreacted, but MOVE's actions could not be tolerated..........."
Leaving aside all the ways in which MOVE created problems for authorities and neighbors, I keep coming back to ........a LOT of people, who had been dealing with the situation for YEARS, discussed/planned/considered under no particular time urgency [this was not a "fog of war" situation], and settled on the idea of BOMBING a house with kids inside and deliberately letting the fire burn, killing 11 people and destroying 61 houses.
In sum, I'd recommend supplementing this one with other accounts, but it's a valuable take from the inside of what life in MOVE was like.
December 21, 2024
I had mixed feelings about this book initially, I wanted a history of MOVE ever since I learned about the bombing and began living in a Philly suburb. It can have jarring transitions from personal history, to researched history, as the Author's life is intertwined in it. By the time I got to the end I no longer had this jarring feeling, while, the author did have to do a lot of research to tell the full story, it would have been a disservice not to frame it from his personal perspective as all the events in MOVE's tragic, hidden, and misunderstood history impacted in him in ways few people on this Earth can truly comprehend. I will lay the blame on the sometimes jarring transitions from autobiography to historical account to the editors who I do not think did justice to stories recounted by this Author.
Move's history should be taught in every classroom in America but it won't, because it highlights the violent response of police representing the corporate elite to regular people who choose to live outside of the set parameters, regardless if you personally agree with how they lived. And Mike Africa Jr's personal struggle through that history is extraordinary, from the circumstances of his birth to his work to heal the wounds inflicted by the system on his family, it transcends what fiction would allocate to believable story of human will. I am so glad I saw this on the shelf at my local library and took it home. The same week I finished the book I listened to him as a guest on the Palestine Pod and his eloquence as a speaker really came through. The interview is a great Coda tying his and MOVEs struggles to the that of others. Connecting the trauma he experienced to what those in Gaza are experiencing, and the repression of the organizing effort to end that genocide was very moving and I hope to hear more.
Move's history should be taught in every classroom in America but it won't, because it highlights the violent response of police representing the corporate elite to regular people who choose to live outside of the set parameters, regardless if you personally agree with how they lived. And Mike Africa Jr's personal struggle through that history is extraordinary, from the circumstances of his birth to his work to heal the wounds inflicted by the system on his family, it transcends what fiction would allocate to believable story of human will. I am so glad I saw this on the shelf at my local library and took it home. The same week I finished the book I listened to him as a guest on the Palestine Pod and his eloquence as a speaker really came through. The interview is a great Coda tying his and MOVEs struggles to the that of others. Connecting the trauma he experienced to what those in Gaza are experiencing, and the repression of the organizing effort to end that genocide was very moving and I hope to hear more.
January 22, 2025
Ask a hundred Philadelphians what MOVE was known for in the 80’s and every one of them will tell you they were the group that the mayor decided to drop a bomb on, resulting in eleven deaths and 250 homes being destroyed. This book, written by the nephew of the founder of MOVE, tells the story of a black liberation group that embraced freedom of all life forms and a rejection of modern society.
The City of Brotherly Love during the preceding decade was notable for the no-nonsense police department and it’s commissioner, Frank Rizzo. Tension between MOVE and the Philly PD escalated to the point that a raid of a group house in 1978 resulting in the death of one officer and a murder conviction of 9 MOVE members. In the years that followed, the movement shifted to Rochester and rural Virginia before returning to Philadelphia.
As complaints for disruptive behavior mounted, informants lead the authorities to understand that MOVE was stockpiling weapons and were to be considered a threat. Ultimately, to displace this group, Mayor Wilson Goode authorized the dropping of two bombs on the occupied home.
While the book is light on details surrounding the efforts to defuse the situation prior to the bombing, and gives scant coverage to the event itself, it makes a compelling case for a group (whose ideals were later embraced by PETA and the EPA) that should be recognized for something other than their worst hour.
The City of Brotherly Love during the preceding decade was notable for the no-nonsense police department and it’s commissioner, Frank Rizzo. Tension between MOVE and the Philly PD escalated to the point that a raid of a group house in 1978 resulting in the death of one officer and a murder conviction of 9 MOVE members. In the years that followed, the movement shifted to Rochester and rural Virginia before returning to Philadelphia.
As complaints for disruptive behavior mounted, informants lead the authorities to understand that MOVE was stockpiling weapons and were to be considered a threat. Ultimately, to displace this group, Mayor Wilson Goode authorized the dropping of two bombs on the occupied home.
While the book is light on details surrounding the efforts to defuse the situation prior to the bombing, and gives scant coverage to the event itself, it makes a compelling case for a group (whose ideals were later embraced by PETA and the EPA) that should be recognized for something other than their worst hour.
August 24, 2024
This book was awesome.
I lived in PA when this happened. I was 5 miles away, visiting a good friend. All of a sudden the whole apartment building started shaking. And then we saw a huge cloud of smoke. Sue and I thought it was the end of the world.
The Mayor of PA, dropped a bomb on a home. This home was where MOVE was located. Unfortunately, these were row homes, and they caught fire. Sixty one homes burned. I worked with a lady that lost hers.
This book, told me how the movement started, and had some history in there for me too. The Phillies won the baseball league. Great party. Everyone was celebrating and bars gave out free food and drinks. Cool to walk around with wine in my hand.
Also about how The Eagles won the Super Bowl! Best game ever. Fly, Eagles fly.
This told the story, of how Mike Africa was raised, and the things he did to help MOVE members still in jail. The MOVE 9. Not all of them came out, several died in prison.
What this young man accomplished, without having much of a formal education at the time, is incredible. His spirit, his love for his huge MOVE family. Plus his own wife and kids.
Mike then got his GED and started going to college.
So good, and there were photos.
I lived in PA when this happened. I was 5 miles away, visiting a good friend. All of a sudden the whole apartment building started shaking. And then we saw a huge cloud of smoke. Sue and I thought it was the end of the world.
The Mayor of PA, dropped a bomb on a home. This home was where MOVE was located. Unfortunately, these were row homes, and they caught fire. Sixty one homes burned. I worked with a lady that lost hers.
This book, told me how the movement started, and had some history in there for me too. The Phillies won the baseball league. Great party. Everyone was celebrating and bars gave out free food and drinks. Cool to walk around with wine in my hand.
Also about how The Eagles won the Super Bowl! Best game ever. Fly, Eagles fly.
This told the story, of how Mike Africa was raised, and the things he did to help MOVE members still in jail. The MOVE 9. Not all of them came out, several died in prison.
What this young man accomplished, without having much of a formal education at the time, is incredible. His spirit, his love for his huge MOVE family. Plus his own wife and kids.
Mike then got his GED and started going to college.
So good, and there were photos.
January 4, 2025
Being from Phila. I am very familiar with Move and was very interested in reading this book. I thought it was very revealing ie Mike Jr was very open and transparent with his telling of his life as a member of the Move family. I enjoyed the honesty about the family and some of the conflict within the family, over time. I did at times get confused with all of the people/names and their biological connections. I look forward to more resources about move and was happy with the epilogue that gave a definition of who Move really is. Unfortunately too many people didn’t know or understand how they started and their commitment to justice. Unfortunately the total misrepresentation, and lack of communication with the group and local officials ie. Rizzo, Goode etc added to the tragic outcome. There are layers to this story, reading it made me feel soooo many emotions. It is also so tragic how much race played a huge part how poorly these people were treated. Sadly here we are 2025 with a mountain of issues that race continues to play a huge part in.
December 28, 2024
What’s interesting about Mike Africa Jr.’s non-fiction/memoir of his growing up in MOVE is that it’s not an easy read in a lot of ways. From its restrictive food regimens to keeping children out of school, there’s an alarming amount of child abuse at the core of MOVE’s values in terms of parenting.
And yet, a horrific crime was perpetrated upon these people by the police. Beyond the infamous literal bombing, which killed men, women and children in the middle of a Philly neighborhood, it can easily be argued that police pursued the confrontation which led the the MOVE 9 being incarcerated for the death of a cop.
There’s startling humanity snd self-examination in Africa’s work, from getting to know and love his parents through prison visitations, to the push and pull of MOVE in his childhood, in which he both valued and pushed back at its teachings.
He’s a terrific writer. And as put off as I was by some of MOVE’s ideas, there’s a poetry to that conflict that drew me in.
And yet, a horrific crime was perpetrated upon these people by the police. Beyond the infamous literal bombing, which killed men, women and children in the middle of a Philly neighborhood, it can easily be argued that police pursued the confrontation which led the the MOVE 9 being incarcerated for the death of a cop.
There’s startling humanity snd self-examination in Africa’s work, from getting to know and love his parents through prison visitations, to the push and pull of MOVE in his childhood, in which he both valued and pushed back at its teachings.
He’s a terrific writer. And as put off as I was by some of MOVE’s ideas, there’s a poetry to that conflict that drew me in.
February 24, 2025
"If you are ignorant about Move I'd like you to become educated" -- I feel like this history/memoir is really a fantastic perspective and starter education on decades of the Move organization history and philosophy, American History that has been ignored by too many for too long.
"I think, overall, society thought Move was a group of people who wanted to fight the police.... Most people don't know Move People were environmentalists. Most people don't know Move People were animal rights activists. Most people don't know Move People were prison and civil rights activists. Most people simply don't know."
"Part of the reason for the misunderstanding is the cult stigma the public associated Move with... Honestly, I think Move was cultish in some ways..... So is any organized religion, but those groups aren't classified as cults."
"I think, overall, society thought Move was a group of people who wanted to fight the police.... Most people don't know Move People were environmentalists. Most people don't know Move People were animal rights activists. Most people don't know Move People were prison and civil rights activists. Most people simply don't know."
"Part of the reason for the misunderstanding is the cult stigma the public associated Move with... Honestly, I think Move was cultish in some ways..... So is any organized religion, but those groups aren't classified as cults."
March 16, 2025
Listened to the audiobook for this one. Which I reccomend, since it’s narrated by the author. Definitely adds a lot of personality to the storytelling.
This was an interesting history for me. I didn’t grow up in Philly but I’m living here now, so it’s nice to learn about MOVE. I appreciated a lot of the things MOVE stood for decades before becoming mainstream, but have my qualms with others( traditional gender roles, straight up homophobia, etc). I was glad that in the epilogue he said he understood how the organization was seen as a cult, because yeah, it checks the boxes. But it’s also fair to say religions are cults too, lol.
But this isn’t a review of MOVE, it’s a review of the book. Which was very informative and personal! I agree with another commenter that, in terms of the historical aspects, having citations would have been nice. But overall liked this book.
This was an interesting history for me. I didn’t grow up in Philly but I’m living here now, so it’s nice to learn about MOVE. I appreciated a lot of the things MOVE stood for decades before becoming mainstream, but have my qualms with others( traditional gender roles, straight up homophobia, etc). I was glad that in the epilogue he said he understood how the organization was seen as a cult, because yeah, it checks the boxes. But it’s also fair to say religions are cults too, lol.
But this isn’t a review of MOVE, it’s a review of the book. Which was very informative and personal! I agree with another commenter that, in terms of the historical aspects, having citations would have been nice. But overall liked this book.
October 3, 2024
The story of MOVE through the voice of a person who knows almost more about it than anyone on Earth alive.
This is NOT a history of the movement, or the bombing. Likely, if you're like me, you'll want to read another book (or watch one of the documentaries) to learn even more.
But it's MIKE's true story through his own words, and he is NOT a MOVE hagiographer. He finds much more good than bad in the group, but is not shy about shining lights on shortcomings, and folks who had shortcomings.
Frustrating and uplifting in equal measure.
This is NOT a history of the movement, or the bombing. Likely, if you're like me, you'll want to read another book (or watch one of the documentaries) to learn even more.
But it's MIKE's true story through his own words, and he is NOT a MOVE hagiographer. He finds much more good than bad in the group, but is not shy about shining lights on shortcomings, and folks who had shortcomings.
Frustrating and uplifting in equal measure.
January 15, 2025
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book. My family and I moved to a Philadelphia suburb several year afters the brutal attack on Osage Avenue. It was former Mayor Wilson Goode (ironically the 1st black mayor of Philadelphia) to make the decision to bomb the building on Mother's Day.
I appreciate hearing the story from a different viewpoint. Ironically the Africa family moved into our development in Cherry Hill years after this devastation.
I appreciate hearing the story from a different viewpoint. Ironically the Africa family moved into our development in Cherry Hill years after this devastation.
October 18, 2024
This book was fantastic! I loved the interweaving of Mike Africa Jr.‘s story in with the larger narrative about MOVE. Last few chapters had me literally crying because of how amazing the entire journey and story of his parents is just remarkable and radical to the core!
November 11, 2024
“I think most people don’t know what MOVE is and never knew what it is about… but you’ll get different answers from different people.” Finally, a book about MOVE from within, a glimpse into who they were and why he fought so hard for so long to free the Move9.
July 20, 2025
Exceptionally compelling writing and storytelling (investigative journalism, if you will). Mike details a lesser-known history with both amazing insight and balanced, nuanced reflection. Great story of past and present woven together to create a dynamic book and engaging call to action.
December 31, 2024
Great update on Move. Instead of the typical bad, Mike turns things into a positive
February 3, 2025
Inspiring but so many people u cannot figure out who's who?
August 5, 2025
This is a great historical read. The book I recommend to students this year. Thank you for sharing your story.
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