John Africa | |
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Born | Vincent Leaphart July 26, 1931 |
Died | May 13, 1985 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | (aged 53)
Cause of death | Bombing |
Known for | Founder of MOVE |
John Africa (July 26, 1931 – May 13, 1985), born Vincent Leaphart, was the founder of MOVE, a Philadelphia-based, predominantly black organization active from the early 1970s and still active. He and his followers were killed at a residential home, which served as the headquarters of MOVE, in a fire after the Philadelphia Police Department bombed the house with C4-explosive, and deliberately let the fire rage until it was out of control following a standoff and firefight between MOVE and police.[1]