The MOVE Bombing

Ulysses remembers MOVE

"Dear Butch:

Thank you again for all the work you did to advance a formal apology through Philadelphia City Council on the 35th anniversary of the MOVE bombing. Your work and words spoke for itself, and I cannot underscore how appreciative I am for your focus on restorative justice and a city's atonement." -

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Helen Gym Philadelphia City Councilmember At-Large (May 21, 2020)

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A picture above shows the helicopter from which a bomb is being dropped by Philadelphia police officer Lt. Frank Powell onto a row home in West Philadelphia on May 13, 1985 at 5:27 PM.  (The black item in the lower left part of the picture is a satchel with a bomb inside.) Eleven people including five children would die in an inferno that destroyed 61 homes and left 250 people homeless.  The police were only supposed to be serving a warrant that day. Along with the city's fire department, the police served up chaos and death.

Though I was living 700 miles away in Chicago when Powell dropped the bomb, I vividly remember seeing the replay on television the very same day.  Just 19 years old at the time, I had no idea that 35 years later I would lead the effort to bring about Philadelphia's official apology.  

My content about the Philadelphia MOVE Bombing is uniquely my content. I conducted hours and hours of interviews to bring about the apology. I held forums and created special broadcasts. I need no permission to share my experience.  I have an obligation to share all that I can as thoroughly as I can.  The MOVE Bombing is a cautionary tale, a tragic tale of madness. I take no sides in this story. There's enough blame for everyone to share.