I lived in Powelton Village in 1972-3, along with R. Crumb, the nascent MOVE group, and numerous other interesting folks. Nobody was a threat to anyone else, save Rizzo's police. A group of us had faced down his tank in 1972 during an antiwar demonstration. We were told it would run us over unless we moved. West Philly was a very different back then.
I remember it well, because despite what this article states, it was definitely national news. People across the country were stunned by this horror. There were heartbreaking interviews with neighbors who had lost their homes.
I was 10 watching from my grandparents kitchen tv not understanding any of it, but it seeming very scary and wrong. No one said anything in my house and I didn’t understand till years later the horrificness of these actions by Philly leaders who were never held accountable.
Thanks for this. I have a vague recollection of this happening but not at an age, evidently, that I could truly appreciate how unconscionable it was. It is also a reminder that we have been dealt with cruel and criminal politicians and police departments before and sadly, probably will again. I wonder what any of us reading this article today would do if this type of thing happened in our neighborhood. And by "happen" I mean if a series of escalating events like this started happening. At what point, before the bombing, would we have been called into action?
I might have known about this as I was in my 20s at the time (not anywhere near Philly though) but I don't remember the story at all.
It is a shocking read, and more shocking that it happened. In the realm of 'Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it.', I'm grateful to read this, as horrific as it is. Unfortunately, I'm sure this is exactly the type of thing I'm sure trump, miller and vought would love to re-enact. We The People have our work cut out for us.
I lived in Powelton Village in 1972-3, along with R. Crumb, the nascent MOVE group, and numerous other interesting folks. Nobody was a threat to anyone else, save Rizzo's police. A group of us had faced down his tank in 1972 during an antiwar demonstration. We were told it would run us over unless we moved. West Philly was a very different back then.
Definitely not "little known" to those of us living in or near Philadelphia at the time! It was a crisis for the whole city.
Also not forgotten by those alive then who lived elsewhere.
I remember it well, because despite what this article states, it was definitely national news. People across the country were stunned by this horror. There were heartbreaking interviews with neighbors who had lost their homes.
I was 10 watching from my grandparents kitchen tv not understanding any of it, but it seeming very scary and wrong. No one said anything in my house and I didn’t understand till years later the horrificness of these actions by Philly leaders who were never held accountable.
What an awful story. Excellent reporting.
Thanks for the reminder. I was, and am, far away in California and I remember the bombing but had forgotten how long it all went on before that.
I lived in Philly back then so I am
Puzzled there was no reference to mayor Wilson Goode who was viewed as to be kind mishandling this mess.
I remember too. Nightmare.
Thanks for this. I have a vague recollection of this happening but not at an age, evidently, that I could truly appreciate how unconscionable it was. It is also a reminder that we have been dealt with cruel and criminal politicians and police departments before and sadly, probably will again. I wonder what any of us reading this article today would do if this type of thing happened in our neighborhood. And by "happen" I mean if a series of escalating events like this started happening. At what point, before the bombing, would we have been called into action?
I might have known about this as I was in my 20s at the time (not anywhere near Philly though) but I don't remember the story at all.
It is a shocking read, and more shocking that it happened. In the realm of 'Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it.', I'm grateful to read this, as horrific as it is. Unfortunately, I'm sure this is exactly the type of thing I'm sure trump, miller and vought would love to re-enact. We The People have our work cut out for us.
I remember.
We seem to be heading back this way…..