------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Oct. 10, 2002 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
FATHER IN MOVE CUSTODY CASE FOUND DEAD: DANGER OF POLICE ATTACK MOUNTS By Betsey Piette Philadelphia Concern that police would use a child custody case involving a member of MOVE to attack the organization's West Philadelphia home intensified after Sept. 26. Late that night John Gilbride, the father suing for custody, was found shot to death execution-style. The next morning, police reported that Gilbride's bullet- ridden body was found outside his apartment in Maple Shade, N.J. Gilbride, the ex-husband of MOVE member Alberta Africa, had bid for custody of the couple's 6-year-old son. Family Court Judge Howard Rosenberg denied Gilbride's bid last May after a three-year investigation. Rosenberg retired before his ruling could be implemented. His decision to allow Gilbride only supervised visits with his son was overturned by Judge Shelley Robbins New in a hearing lasting less than one day last July. Robbins New had served over 25 years as a Philadelphia prosecutor. Many people questioned her ability to be impartial in any case where MOVE was involved. MOVE and its supporters have repeatedly suggested that the state was pushing Gilbride to pursue the custody case and using it in yet another attempt to destroy their organization. In 1978 Philadelphia police used the excuse of housing code violations to wage war with MOVE. In 1985, the police claimed MOVE threatened city officials and unleashed an assault on their home. Police dropped a bomb on the MOVE house, killing 11 people. The subsequent fire destroyed 63 houses in the African American neighborhood. This time the police had no justification to attack the organization. Gilbride had a documented history as an abusive father and husband. MOVE's struggle to prevent him from taking custody of his son had the support of child and women's advocacy groups. It also had the support of neighbors in both Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, N.J., where Alberta Africa lived. MOVE had taken the offensive to expose the state's plans. The organization held several press conferences and a motorcade to Cherry Hill on Sept. 20. Shelley Robbins New had ruled that Gilbride could take custody of his son that day, but instead he flew to Las Vegas. According to police accounts, an automatic weapon was used to kill Gilbride. No witnesses saw or heard anything in his residential neighborhood, indicating that the killer used a silencer. Pointing to the apparent professional nature of the hit, MOVE spokesperson Ramona Africa said, "The group believes Gilbride was killed by the government in a bid to flush out Alberta Africa." MOVE members expressed sorrow over Gilbride's murder, stating, MOVE child is left fatherless." Reports have circulated that Philadelphia District Attorney Lynn Abraham would use Gilbride's murder to seek warrants to search the MOVE home. Philadelphia Police Captain William Fisher, head of the Civil Affairs Unit, said, however, he "would be shocked" if the slaying investigation led to MOVE. "I'm going to be honest: I'd say there has been no violence or vandalism or show of weapons," Fisher said. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
