PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Residents and activists gathered at a 62nd Street and Osage Avenue in West Philadelphia on Sunday to honor the lives lost in the May 13, 1985, MOVE bombing and to call for healing in the community.
Thirty-six years later, the trauma is still very fresh for some members of the organization. MOVE members are calling for city leaders to return the remains of loved ones killed that day, so they can put them to rest.
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The city revealed the Medical Examiner's Office discovered a box with the label "MOVE" on Friday. Officials said they compared the box's contents to a list of bones and fragments from previous investigations. They believe the box holds the remains, which Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley said he had ordered cremated and destroyed four years ago.
The mishandling of the remains led to Farley's resignation.
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Community organizers say they are having a hard time trusting Mayor Jim Kenney’s latest apology.
"We don’t trust anything they're saying about the remains. You changed your story, four times," said MOVE's Janine Africa. She told NBC 10 what the city has put them through is unacceptable.
"Then you come back and say, I didn't cremate them, they are intact. So now, what do we believe?"
Dozens of community members erupted into applause as Daryl Turner with the City of Dreams Coalition, among the event's organizers, stood and called for a moment of healing.
"Goodness gracious. We’re celebrating an iconic part of our history in Philadelphia and we get an 'I'm sorry.' Why are you not here?" Turner said. "Why has this disconnect been here since the move block issue happened years ago?"
Turner says actions speak louder than words.
"For instance, a lot of money needs to be put back into our community. Not just an 'I’m sorry,'" he said.
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Councilmember-at-Large David Oh attended the event and said he understands the mistrust. He said the apology was needed but people need confirmation and peace of mind.
"This is an egregious error by the city. Something needs to be done to make amends but also to give those children a level of respect," Oh said.
Another community organizer who goes by the name Fear said she is open to the apology, saying it boils down to accountability and leading by example.
"To help the community with taking accountability for smaller actions, to see the city taking accountability for larger actions," she said. "If the head moves accordingly, the rest of the body will follow."
Community member Willy Beegle, an artist, says he’s glad the city is finally stepping up and being honest.
"We just want whatever’s owed. Let it be delegated justly and from the heart," he said.
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Mayor Jim Kenney previously said the remains will be returned to the Africa family following an investigation. He issued a statement Sunday elaborating on actions the city plans to take.
"As I’ve said previously, it is abundantly clear that improvements are necessary related to the operations of the Medical Examiner’s Office," he wrote.
"We will be engaging experts in this field and are reviewing best practice, especially as it relates to racial equity. An overhaul of MEO policies and procedures is certainly on the table."
The mayor also pledged to explore how the MOVE bombing is commemorated in the city in the long term. "This latest unfortunate incident will not be in vain if we use it as a catalyst for finally doing right by the victims of the MOVE bombing and their families," he said.
Kenney said the discovery of the remains does not change Farley's status. Dr. Cheryl Bettigole will assume the role of acting health commissioner while the city searches for a permanent replacement.
"We are getting to the bottom of many different disturbing questions, including why these remains were held for decades, and why they were still held after being directed to be cremated," Kenney said.
"The remains can finally be returned to the next of kin and handled respectfully moving forward. I am committed to continuing to work closely with the Africa family and their representatives as this investigation continues."
That is something Consuewella Africa wants to happen sooner rather than later.
"Give it to us," she said Saturday, "and let us do what we want to be done with them, properly."