The first issue of Philadelphia's newest independent publication, Two-One-Five Magazine, has just been released, and features my new essay: "May 13, 1985: An 'Unconscionable' Act." The essay spotlights my new interview with journalist Linn Washington, Jr. (then working for The Daily News), who witnessed MOVE member Jerry Africa (not inside 6221 Osage) attempting to negotiate with Mayor Goode during the afternoon of the May 13 standoff, before the bomb was dropped. He wanted to tell Goode that MOVE would disengage from the confrontation if Goode would agree to an investigation of the Aug. 8, 1978-related MOVE convictions. Jerry Africa was supported by civil rights activist Randolph Means and former Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Williams, who at the time was the Democratic Party's nominee for Philadelphia District Attorney. The three of them repeatedly tried to call Goode on the telephone, but he would not take their call. Washington immediately called the story into The Daily News, but it was never published.
Later that afternoon, the bomb was dropped, the subsequent fire was allowed to burn, and police shot at MOVE members when they attempted to escape. Read the full essay (pgs. 80-85) online, or pick up the magazine at your local cafe or bar.
LISTEN TO UPRISING RADIO SHOW with Ramona Africa For more, see MOVE's website, past Philly IMC coverage, a radio-essay by Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the recent MOVE documentary narrated by Howard Zinn.
Hans Bennett is a multi-media journalist mostly focusing on the movement to free Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners. An archive of his work is available at insubordination.blogspot.com and he is also co-founder of "Journalists for Mumia," (
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