Muhiyidin Moye facts for kids

Muhiyidin El Amin Moye (April 22, 1985 – February 6, 2018), also known as Muhiyidin d'Baha, was a well-known Black Lives Matter activist. He became famous across the country for an event in February 2017. During a live TV broadcast in Charleston, South Carolina, he crossed a police line to take a Confederate battle flag from a protester.

Early Life and Education

Muhiyidin Moye was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. When he was about 13, his family moved to Hollywood, South Carolina. He went to the University of South Carolina for college. Later, he earned a Master of Arts degree from Winthrop University in 2011.

In 2006, while at the University of South Carolina, he was hurt in a house fire. This experience was very impactful for him. He later joined the Baháʼí Faith around 2014. His mother was also a follower of this faith. Moye often spoke about the "oneness of humankind" and how it guided his actions.

Becoming an Activist

Moye's journey as an activist began around 2011 when he took part in the Occupy Eugene event. He became very well-known in his local community after the shooting of Walter Scott in 2015. Walter Scott was shot by police in North Charleston, South Carolina. Moye helped arrange a meeting where Scott's family first saw an important video of the shooting.

In 2015, Moye also met with Bernie Sanders, a famous politician. Moye believed that Sanders was learning and growing in his understanding of racial issues.

Moye was arrested in 2016 for speaking out at a city council meeting. He was asking for a special group to review police actions. Because of his efforts, the city later created the Citizens Advisory Commission on Community-Police Relations. Moye believed in taking "much more action" rather than just talking on social media. He felt it was important to interrupt situations that needed change.

The Flag Incident

In February 2017, a speaker named Bree Newsome was giving a talk. This event brought together both supporters and protesters. During this time, a large Confederate battle flag was being waved. Moye saw fear in the eyes of older community members because of the flag. He decided that this symbol of intimidation should not be passed on to another generation.

He then made a quick move, crossing police lines to take down the flag. This moment happened to be caught on live television, making him nationally recognized. After the event, Moye explained that people often tolerate and normalize oppression instead of resisting it. He said his goal was to show that resistance was possible.

After this event, people started fundraising for both the flag-waving protester and Moye. Moye's fundraising efforts raised $10,000, showing strong public support for his actions. In March 2017, a community festival was held in Charleston to celebrate his "leap for justice." It included music, art, food, and focused on activism and community.

Moye's Impact and Advice

Jelani Cobb, a journalism professor, described Moye as a "complex" but "sincere" person who was hard to forget. Cobb met Moye during a TV special about Charleston.

In April 2017, the Charleston City Paper asked Moye for his advice on how to organize communities. Here are some of his key ideas:

• Understand a problem fully before suggesting solutions.
• Build solutions based on what the community truly needs.
• Use friend networks and social media to connect people.
• Focus on developing real solutions and being present where decisions are made.
• Make sure local voices are at the center of organizing efforts.
• It's very important to listen to and include women's voices.
• Organizing should happen in local neighborhoods, schools, and community groups.
• Encourage communication across different groups in the community.
• Create platforms where people can work together.
• Combine real-world actions with online reflection to keep energy going.
• Pay young people to help with community outreach and engagement.

Later Life and Passing

In December 2016, Moye was part of a discussion panel at the College of Charleston about the death of Walter Scott. The news coverage of Scott's death, which included Moye's involvement, won a special award for the Charleston Post and Courier newspaper.

In February 2018, Moye was on a personal trip in New Orleans. Early in the morning on February 6, he was riding his bike when he was shot. He was taken to the hospital but sadly passed away from his injuries.

Many people gathered to remember Muhiyidin Moye. A prayer vigil was held, and a community memorial service took place at the Denmark Vesey monument. Friends and community leaders attended these events. A friend shared that Moye's most important work was in the community, especially with children. A project for a youth academy was even renamed the "Muhiyidin d'Baha Leadership Academy" in his honor.

There was a lot of talk that Moye's death might have been connected to his activism. However, police later found that this was not the case. In July 2018, New Orleans police arrested Roosevelt Iglus and charged him in connection with Moye's death. In July 2019, Iglus pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Police believe Iglus did not know Moye and thought he was someone else.

In April 2020, art honoring Moye was featured in an exhibition called Resilient at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture in Charleston, South Carolina.