Today in Other: MOVE Bombing (1985)
On this day in 1985, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the Philadelphia Police bombed a residential home occupied by the black militant anarcho-primitivist group MOVE, and the Philadelphia Fire Department let the subsequent fire burn out of control. The standoff with MOVE, a black liberation organization, was initiated by the Philadelphia police in an attempt to serve an eviction notice. Ten people, including four children, died in the fire.
Eyewitnesses claim that the victims were prevented from fleeing the fire by police gunfire upon escape. Police Commissioner Sambor infamously ordered the fire department to "let the fire burn", destroying 65 nearby homes. Although an investigation found that the law enforcement and fire department actions were negligent, no criminal charges were filed.
Today in Birthdays: Segundo Ruiz Belvis (1829 - 1867)
Segundo Ruiz Belvis, born on this day in 1829, was an abolitionist who fought for Puerto Rico's right to independence from Spain.
After studying abroad, Ruiz Belvis returned to Puerto Rico in 1859 and befriended Ramón Emeterio Betances, joining his group "The Secret Abolitionist Society". The society baptized and emancipated thousands of black slave children in an event known as the "aguas de libertad" (waters of liberty).
In 1866, Ruiz Belvis was living in exile in New York where, with Betances and others, he formed the "Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico" (Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico) for the independence of the island.
They developed a plan to send an armed expedition to Puerto Rico, later known as the "Grito de Lares". Before the insurrection could happen, however, Belvis died of illness while on a diplomatic mission in Chile to raise funds for the rebellion.
^More ^at ^aPeoplesCalendar.org
I'm back with my most batshit crazy Fredwynn-style theory yet [that even I don't think will prove to be correct]. But...
I just have to put it out there.
As I prognosticated in an earlier post, I think something terrible happened, not only to Peter's family, but their home and all their belongings. This based on the fact that he mentions he has no photographs of events in his past. Got me to thinking about what sort of natural disasters might have occurred in Phillie (a la Dorothy's twister). Nothing. Then I started thinking about possible famous fires (like the S.F. fire of 1871 started by Mrs. O'Leary's cow). Entering my memory palace (yes, I actually did this) I vaguely recalled a terrible "Waco TX" type incident between the police and a radical black activist group that happened back in the 1980s. Right around the time Peter would've been small. Checked the internet and, sure enough, it was the bombing of the MOVE house on Osage Avenue that ended up destroying 65 homes. ( https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/8/8/20747198/philadelphia-bombing-1985-move ). I kind of thought this was a pretty infamous incident, but apparently (and egregiously) it's largely forgotten. Good thing my memory palace is in tact.
Honestly, I doubt Jason Segel would go there for many many reasons. Too political. Too dark. Too REAL. Plus, since the residents of the decimated neighborhood were primarily middle class African Americans, it would look like some white dude was trying to co-opt a black tragedy - a big no-no. The only way this could possibly be the trauma in "Peter's" past is if the members Team Blue are not real but merely constructs in Clara/Lee's VR headset and the incident actually happened to her family.
But honestly, that's all incredibly unlikely. But the fire story coincides perfectly with the show's timeline. And anyhow, I just love throwing out all my bonkers theories here.
