MOVE opening arguments begin

Opening arguments began yesterday in the federal civil lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia, former Police Commissioner Gregore Sambor and former Fire Commissioner William Richmond for their involvement in the deadly 1985 bombing of the headquarters of the radical back-to-nature group, MOVE. Plaintiff Ramona Africa -- the sole adult survivor of the bombing -- is seeking unspecified damages for the May 13, 1985 bombing of the MOVE house at 6221 Osage Avenue and the resulting fire that killed 11 people and destroyed 61 surrounding homes. Africa suffered third-degree burns in the fire. She claims the city and the two former top officials used excessive and deadly force when they dropped a bomb from a helicopter onto MOVE's roof. MOVE, an interracial group that preached against modern conveniences, had allowed human excrement and trash to pile up in front of its rowhouse, spurring many complaints from neighboring West Philadelphia residents. Police surrounded the home on May 13 and demanded the surrender of Africa and three other MOVE members on charges of harassment, rioting and possessing explosives. The members' refusal to surrender to the search warrant led to the bombing. Africa has since been convicted of inciting a riot and has served five of the seven years to which she was sentenced in prison. No official was ever charged in the MOVE bombing, despite a U.S. Justice Department and grand jury investigation. Lawsuits have been filed simultaneously by Alfonso Leaphart and Louise James, relatives of the two other MOVE members.