I have a feeling that not many people here in Southwest Colorado will remember the radical group MOVE as I do. That’s why I’m recommending the documentary “Let the Fire Burn” as much as a history lesson as a fine piece of filmmaking.
On May 13, 1985, 61 homes in West Philadelphia burned to the ground following a standoff between MOVE and a couple hundred Philadelphia police. Mayor Wilson Goode gave the final OK to drop what was first described as a “concussion” grenade on the roof of the rowhome wherein the group was barricaded. It turned out to be a satchel charge of Tovex and C4 that ignited the largest blaze in the city’s considerable history.
Inside the home were three men, four women and six children. Only two – an adult woman, Ramona Africa, and a child, Birdie Africa – survived the day.
Jason Osder’s film is a compilation of news footage and video recordings of the hearings following the disaster. There is no narration save for typed captions to identify scenes and explain the timeline of events. All interviewees are either shown as they appeared before local news crews or in front of the commission. Birdie Africa’s recounting of the events are taken from his videotaped deposition.
So who, or what, was MOVE? The group was an organization founded in the early 1970s by John Africa (aka Vincent Leaphart), an outspoken proponent of Black Power and African-American rights. The group included former Black Panther Party members, one of whom, Delbert Africa, was infamously beaten by Philadelphia police on camera during a 1978 standoff at which police officer James Ramp was shot and killed. This confrontation also is chronicled in “Let the Fire Burn.”
Relations between MOVE and the city only deteriorated in the ensuing years (Mumia Abu-Jamal requested John Africa represent him during his 1982 cop-killing trial but was refused because Africa wasn’t a lawyer), and by May 1985, the city had finally responded to neighbors’ complaints and had ordered MOVE evicted from their Osage Avenue rowhome. When they didn’t leave, a gun battle erupted, though no one in charge could claim who fired the first shot. The police fired an estimated 10,000 rounds at the house that morning, though there is no evidence that any of the dead occupants were killed by gunfire.
The most controversial part of the 1985 event and the film is the city’s decision to allow the fire to burn rather than put it out. It burned within the MOVE house for about 20 minutes before spreading to neighboring residences, yet Goode and police commissioner Gregore Sambor made the call to “let the fire burn.” None of the other 60 homes destroyed had any affiliation with MOVE, and most neighbors were eager to see the group leave.
Although Sambor said his department never intended to use the fire as a weapon against people, officers are heard on news footage saying things like “they won’t call the police commissioner a mother f---er anymore.” The inference is that all on hand knew their foes were being incinerated.
I’m pleasantly surprised both that this film was made and that it’s being shown in national distribution. Although these events took place almost 30 years ago, this standoff has lessons about modern extremism that should be learned. Neither side was in the right: MOVE was a radical and dangerous group that lived to incite, and the Philadelphia Police Department was exposed as a heavy-handed bunch of thugs who were collectively as racist as MOVE accused them to be. (Officer James Berghaier, who rescued young Birdie Africa as he tried to escape, had a racist epithet painted on his police locker and left the force two years later, diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
No one was ever charged with a crime, and the wounds haven’t healed. “Let the Fire Burn” shows what happens when the voices of reason are muted by those at the extremes of society and politics. It’s not a pretty picture.
ted@durangoherald.com
Let the Fire Burn
Zeitgeist Films presents a documentary directed by Jason Osder and edited by Nels Bangerter. Featuring archival footage of Ramona Africa, John Africa, Birdie Africa, Wilson Goode, Gregore Sambor, Frank Rizzo and other public officials. Running time 1 hour, 35 minutes. Not rated (includes graphic violence and language).
“Let the Fire Burn” is playing at 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday only at the Durango Stadium 9 (next to the Durango Mall).
