Princeton President Apologizes For Handling Of Bombing Remains

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber on Wednesday apologized for the mishandling of the remains of a Black child killed in the 1985 MOVE house bombing in Philadelphia.

The same evening, community members and student organizers gathered outside Nassau Hall to hold the university “accountable” for its actions.

Eisgruber said he was "concerned" over reports that the remains were used for instruction on campus.

“Princeton University extends its apologies to the Africa family for the use of the remains in courses offered by Princeton,” said Eisgruber.

“I believe we have a responsibility to our campus and the larger community to understand fully and clearly the facts surrounding this matter.”

On May 13, 1985, the Philadelphia Police Department bombed a home shared by members of MOVE. The bombing killed 11 people including five children.

It was revealed that the remains of two children believed to be 14-year-old Tree Africa and 13-year-old Delisha Africa, were being used for research at Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania.

Read More Here: Princeton U. Apologizes For Handling Of Bombing Victim's Bones

One set of remains were used for teaching an online course at Princeton without the consent of family members.

Eisgruber announced that he “authorized a fact-finding effort, to be conducted by outside counsel,” to help the university understand the "scope and nature” of its role in the matter.

“It is important to find and share the facts when we fall short, and to take corrective action that allows us to realize our commitment and fulfill our responsibilities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wednesday evening's protest saw students gather in large numbers. The protest took place at the same time as a demonstration at Penn Museum.

“The primary desire here today is simply to amplify and stand in solidarity with the very desires and demands of the Africa family and the MOVE organization,” said Erica Dugue, student.

“But as Princeton students, you must also hold our institution accountable for their complicity in such insidious disrespects for human life.”

Laurence Ralph, professor at the university’s Department of Anthropology said he was “disturbed by the recent revelations” and by his department’s “complicity.”

“I think right now is the time for accountability. Right now, is the time to listen. And right now, is the time to seek change,” said Ralph.

Students also called for the release of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a political activist and journalist, who was convicted of killing police officer Daniel Faulkner, in Philadelphia, in 1981. Abu-Jamal, a supporter of MOVE, has denied the charges.

A student speaker said that the use of the victim's bones by the university only serves as a reminder that "we aren't even allowed to rest in the afterlife, not even after being murdered by white supremacy."

“We're so unremoved from slavery, that instead of trading us for money, we're now being traded for the purpose of boosting the privilege and wealth of Ivy League universities,” the student speaker said.

At the protest, students articulated demands to provide reparations to the Africa family. They also presented an additional set of demands, including:

• Princeton devotes resources and monetary funds to support Mumia Abu-Jamal’s release.
• Princeton permanently removes the online course where the remains are used for instruction and uses any proceeds from the course to financially support Mumia Abu-Jamal’s release.
• Representatives of the Anthropology Department provide transparency regarding the institutional mechanisms that allowed this to happen and improve departmental policies to prevent future abuse, including:
• Providing transparency about current and future repatriation efforts.
• Centering the needs and desires of those whose cultural artifacts have been stolen or used.
• Princeton should never use real remains for research or coursework, instead using 3D printed models.
• Prior to the reopening of the art museum, Princeton conducts an external investigation into the practices of the Department of Anthropology. This external board is selected and overseen by the larger student body and a few faculty. This body will then conduct annual investigations to ensure continued accountability.
• Princeton revokes Professor Alan Mann’s emeritus status.
• Classes, coursework, and syllabi that amplify the voices that have been historically excluded/marginalized.

After the demonstration, organizers urged participants to email the university demanding action. The evening ended with a moment of silence for the victims killed in the MOVE bombings.

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