Philadelphia Names Street After Former Mayor Responsible for MOVE Bombing

By Associated Press | Published on September 21, 2018 | Updated on September 23, 2018 8:25 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia’s first black mayor says he was responsible for dropping a bomb on a home full of people 33 years ago.

But as the city on Friday dedicated a street co-named for W. Wilson Goode Sr., Goode said he would not be defined by one day of his life.

Wilson was mayor when the city clashed with members of MOVE, a radical, black back-to-nature group. It culminated in the 1985 bombing of MOVE headquarters, killing 11 people and destroying more than 60 rowhomes.

The Philadelphia City Council voted in June to co-name a portion of 59th Street for Goode. Community members and residents in the largely black neighbourhood say they were never consulted or notified about the proposed change.

A few dozens protested the ceremony Friday.

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