National

“We Are Victims Of Terrorism:” Fred Hampton Jr. Recognizes 30th Anniversary Of Philadelphia MOVE Bombing

Published

11 years ago

May 18, 2015

More than 60 other homes and businesses were destroyed when the Philadelphia police department and FBI bombed the MOVE home in 1985.

By Doshon Farad
Special to the NNPA from The Atlanta Daily World

In a country that prides itself on being the apex of liberty and freedom of expression, the notion of domestic terrorism never crosses the mind of most Americans. In the eyes of many, however, this notion is all too real.

On May 13th, 1985, the Move organization’s headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa. were firebombed by local police who claimed that the group’s members posed a safety risk to the city – this taking place after several years of well documented evidence that the department was carrying out a vendetta towards the organization.

The bombing resulted in the deaths of eleven people, including Move’s founder John Africa and five children, as well as the virtual leveling of Osage Avenue where the headquarters were located. Many eyewitness accounts from that day described the scene as being reminiscent of the dropping of an atomic bomb.

On Wednesday, activists from across the country and world poured into Philadelphia to observe the thirtieth anniversary of the event. It began as a mid-morning rally held on Osage Avenue in remembrance of bombing victims, as well as to demand the release of members of the 1978 “Move 9” case who supporters allege were falsely charged by city and state officials for the killing of a Philadelphia police officer, among other charges. These nine individuals have served nearly forty years in prison and keep being denied parole despite evidence being introduced that could possibly grant them a new trial.

After the rally, a nearly thirty block march took place in which participants demanded an end to police brutality and the freeing of others who they referred to as “political prisoners.” This list included imprisoned journalist and fellow Move member Mumia Abu Jamal, whose case was also mentioned throughout the day-long program.

The march ended at the First District Plaza, where later in the evening an indoor rally was held honoring the victims of the Osage Avenue tragedy.

In attendance was the son of slain Black Panther Party Leader Fred Hampton, Fred Hampton Jr., who travelled all the way from Chicago to lend his support. He told NewsOne flatly, “We are victims of terrorism. What happened in Philadelphia on Osage Avenue thirty years ago is one of the blatant cases of the extent this government will go to to any attempt of our people to fight for self determination.”

The long time activist continued by emphasizing the importance of remembering Move. “We’re here in solidarity. We’re making sure that every generation knows what happened thirty years. . .We’re making the concrete connection between terrorism on Africans (Blacks) and other colonized people.”

Revolution Communist Party of America Spokesperson Carl Dix was also present and he spoke with NewsOne briefly about his thoughts concerning the day’s events. “Today is a day we must never forget. Thirty years ago they dropped a bomb on a house in a Black neighborhood. They began by launching a military assault, firing hundreds of rounds of ammunition into the house. They tried to drown them out with water hoses and when that didn’t work, they dropped a bomb on them. We must never forget this because they were giving us a lesson in how they (law enforcement) functioned,” he said.

This event couldn’t have come at a better time in light of the recent controversy surrounding police killings of African-Americans across the United States.

During the evening, Ramona Africa-who is a survivor of the bombing on that fateful day three decades ago-served as co-emcee and spoke for several minutes on police brutality. “We must understand the work we need to do and the stand we need to take to put an end to this viciousness. They’re not going to stop on their own. Nobody is going to hand us peace and contentment on a silver platter. We have to direct and demand that. And settle for nothing less.”

Along with an African-themed program that features poets, presentations, video addresses by former Black Panther Angela Davis, Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, and a performance by New Jersey-based Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, longtime scholar and activist Dr. Cornel West spoke.

In his usual fiery manner, Dr. West wasted no time in sharing his thoughts. “It’s a new day in Philadelphia, Ferguson, Baltimore and the world. . .We’re here to say to the Move organization that we love each and every one of them.”

Tying the Move plight into the broader struggle for justice, West asserted, “When the history is written of the last forty years about the vicious attacks on poor and working people and the massive transfer of their wealth to the top one percent, someone will ask ‘Who actually tried to stand up and tell the truth?’ And the condition of truth is always to allow suffering to be manifest.”

“It’s a beautiful thing to be on fire for justice,” West added.

Earlier in the evening, attendees heard from “Move 9” member Janine Africa, who has been held for nearly forty years at the Cambridge Springs Correctional Institution.

Event organizers announced that more plans are being formed to initiate the release of the “Move 9.”

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More

Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.

Published

7 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). File photo.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.

She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.

What stands out as your most important achievement this year?

Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.

How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?

The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.

What frustrated you the most this year?

The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.

What inspired you the most this year?

The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.

What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?

As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?

Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?

Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.

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2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Champion of Reparations, Housing and Workers’ Rights

In 2025, McKinnor pushed forward legislation on renters’ protections, re-entry programs, reparations legislation, and efforts to support Inglewood Unified School District. She spoke with California Black Media about the past year and her work. Here are her responses.

Published

7 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood). File photo.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) represents

California’s 61st Assembly District.

As a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC),

McKinnor was elected in 2022. She chairs the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation and leads the Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee. McKinnor also served as a civic engagement director, managed political campaigns, and worked as chief of staff for former Assemblymembers Steven Bradford and Autumn Burke.

Looking back on 2025, what do you see as your biggest win?

Assembly Bill (AB) 628. If rent is $3,000, people should at least have a stove and a refrigerator. It’s ridiculous that people were renting without basic appliances.

I’m also proud that I was able to secure $8.4 million in the state budget for people coming home from incarceration. That includes the Homecoming Project, the menopause program for incarcerated women, and the Justice Leaders Program.

How did your leadership help make life better for Black Californians this year?

After the Eaton Fire, I pushed to get the same kind of support for affected areas that wealthier regions get after disasters.

I also did a lot of work building political power— establishing the Black Legacy PAC and California for All of Us PAC so we could support Black candidates and educate voters. We also called voters to make sure they understood Prop 50.

People need to understand this: there are only 12 Black legislators in the Capitol. Folks act like we can just walk in and pass reparations, but that’s not how it works.

What frustrated you most this year?

The governor did not have the political will to sign these bills: AB 57 and AB 62. They both passed overwhelmingly in the Assembly and the Senate. We did the work. The only person who didn’t have the political will to sign them was the governor.

The public needs to ask the governor why he didn’t sign the bills. We can’t keep letting people off the hook. He has to answer.

I also introduced AB 51 — the bill to eliminate interest payments on Inglewood Unified School District’s long-standing state loan — held in the Appropriations Committee. That was frustrating,

What inspired you most in 2025?

The civil rights trip to Alabama was life changing. We visited the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. We took members of the Black, Latino, Jewish, and API caucuses with us. It changed all of us.

People aren’t always against us — they just don’t know our history.

What’s one lesson from 2025 that will shape how you approach decisions next year?

The legislative trip to Norway taught me that collaboration matters. Government, labor, and industry sit down together there. They don’t make villains. Everybody doesn’t get everything they want, but they solve problems.

What’s the biggest challenge facing Black Californians in one word?

Inequity. It shows up in housing, wealth, stress – all these things.

What’s the number one goal you want to accomplish in 2026?

Bringing back AB 57 and AB 62, and securing money for the Inglewood Unified loan interest forgiveness.