Selects: MOVE: Or When the Philly Police Dropped a Bomb on a Residential Neighborhood
Dive deep into a historical altercation with "Stuff You Should Know" as hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore a chilling event from 1985 – the bombing of the MOVE headquarters by Philadelphia police. This Black liberation group's clash with law enforcement reached a climax that not only impacted the organization’s members but also left an indelible mark on the city's history. The episode delves into the origins of the conflict during the late 1970s, the tragic losses experienced by MOVE, and the tensions that culminated in one of the most controversial decisions made by a municipal police force in American history.
The show dissects the catastrophic aftermath, examining how an attempt to forcibly remove the group from their fortified house with a bomb disastrously resulted in an uncontrollable inferno, claiming lives and devastating a neighborhood. While featuring the perspectives and accounts of mayoral intentions and the emergency response actions, the hosts shed light on the grim reality of the survivors and the lack of legal accountability that followed. This recounting of the MOVE bombing not only serves as a somber reflection on past events but also as a cautionary tale about the extreme measures of law enforcement and the consequences of institutional decisions.
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Bombing of MOVE headquarters in 1985
The MOVE headquarters, run by a Black liberation group in Philadelphia, was bombed by the city's police department in 1985, marking an extreme clash between the group and law enforcement officials. During a standoff in the late 1970s, a police raid on the organization led to the death of an officer and the incarceration of nine MOVE members. Additionally, MOVE lost a baby during the confrontation, which they blamed on police actions. Wilson Goode, elected in 1984 as Philadelphia's first Black mayor, aimed to address issues of corruption and racism and sought to resolve tensions with MOVE in 1985. However, efforts to evacuate the group using water cannons and tear gas were ineffective, leading to the fateful decision to bomb their fortified house.
The bomb targeted a rooftop bunker, but instead of resolving the standoff, it caused a significant fire that was not promptly controlled. This led to the rapid spread of the fire, which eventually consumed an entire city block, leaving 11 MOVE members, including six children, dead. Conflicting information from police and fire chiefs suggested the fire might have been used as a tactical weapon. In the aftermath, only one police officer attempted to provide assistance to survivors. Despite the serious outcomes, no city officials were held criminally responsible for the actions leading to or after the bombing. The incident resulted in MOVE survivor Ramona Africa receiving symbolic payments from Police Chief Sam Borer and Fire Chief Richmond after a civil lawsuit, but this did not equate to accountability for the catastrophic decisions made by city officials, as highlighted by the commentary from Chuck Bryant on the absence of legal consequences.
1-Page Summary
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Clarifications
- The MOVE organization was a Black liberation group founded in Philadelphia in the early 1970s. They advocated for environmentalism, animal rights, and a back-to-nature lifestyle. MOVE members often adopted the surname "Africa" to symbolize their heritage and beliefs. The group's confrontations with law enforcement stemmed from their anti-establishment views and clashes over their unconventional lifestyle, including their fortified headquarters.
- In the context of corruption and racism in Philadelphia, the city had a history of systemic issues within its law enforcement and government institutions that disproportionately affected Black communities. This environment contributed to tensions between marginalized groups like MOVE and the authorities, leading to confrontations like the 1985 bombing incident. The election of Wilson Goode as the city's first Black mayor in 1984 was seen as a step towards addressing these deep-rooted problems, but the tragic events that followed highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Black residents in Philadelphia.
- The use of water cannons and tear gas in the evacuation attempt was an attempt by law enforcement to force the MOVE members out of their fortified house by using non-lethal crowd control methods. Water cannons are devices that shoot high-pressure streams of water, often used for dispersing crowds, while tear gas is a chemical agent that causes irritation to the eyes and respiratory system, intended to disorient and incapacitate individuals. In this context, these tactics were employed to try to compel the MOVE members to surrender peacefully before the decision was made to bomb the building. The effectiveness and appropriateness of these methods in this specific situation have been subject to debate and criticism in the aftermath of the tragic events.
- City officials were not held criminally responsible for the bombing of the MOVE headquarters in 1985 despite the tragic outcomes. This lack of accountability raised questions about the legal consequences for their actions leading up to and following the incident. The decision not to prosecute city officials highlighted a perceived failure of the justice system to hold those in power accountable for their roles in the events. The absence of criminal charges against the officials involved in the bombing contributed to ongoing debates about systemic issues and the need for justice in cases of state violence.
- Ramona Africa was a prominent member of the MOVE organization who survived the 1985 bombing in Philadelphia. She became a key figure in advocating for justice for the victims and holding city officials accountable for their actions. Her resilience and activism in seeking accountability and raising awareness about the bombing's impact have made her a significant voice in discussions about police brutality and government accountability.
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Bombing of MOVE headquarters in 1985
The bombing of the MOVE headquarters by the Philadelphia Police Department in 1985 was one of the most dramatic confrontations between a Black liberation group and city law enforcement.
Confrontations between MOVE and Philadelphia police in late 1970s
MOVE, a Black liberation group, became entwined in a deadly standoff with the Philadelphia Police Department in the late 70s, resulting in a police raid where an officer was killed. Nine MOVE members were arrested for the officer's death, each receiving sentences between 30 and 100 years. The MOVE group also had a baby die during the confrontation, which they attributed to police action.
Mayor Wilson Goode elected in 1984 on reform platform
Wilson Goode, the first Black mayor of Philadelphia, took office in 1984 on a reform platform, aiming to address corruption and racism.
1985 standoff and plan to remove MOVE from neighborhood
In 1985, Mayor Goode’s administration sought to end the long-running feud between the city and MOVE. The organization had fortified their Osage Avenue house with a bunker, and the city's police attempted to forcibly remove them.
Water cannons and tear gas fail to drive MOVE out
Despite numerous attempts with water cannons and tear gas, the MOVE members remained in their house, leading city officials to make the fateful decision to drop a bomb onto the rooftop bunker.
Decision made to drop bomb to remove bunker on roof
The operation culminated in a bomb being dropped on the MOVE house, which was occupied by 13 people, including 7 children. This was intended to eliminate the bunker, but the explosion resulted in a catastrophic fire.
House set on fire after bomb dropped
The small fire ignited by the bomb spread rapidly due to a lack of immediate firefighting response. Mayor Goode ordered the fire to be put out only 33 minutes after the bomb was dropped, but by that time, the conditions had worsened, and the fire was out of control.
Fire spreads to whole block over several hours
The inferno, aided by the narrow streets of the neighborhood, destroyed not only the MOVE house but also the entire block. It wasn’t deemed under control until 11:41 PM. The police department and fire chiefs provided contradictory statements regarding the order to combat the fire, indicating possible intention to use the fire as a weapon against the bunker.
11 MOVE members including 6 kids die
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Bombing of MOVE headquarters in 1985
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The MOVE organization was a Black liberation group founded in Philadelphia in 1972. They advocated for environmentalism, animal rights, and a back-to-nature lifestyle. The group's confrontations with law enforcement stemmed from their anti-establishment beliefs and clashes over their unconventional living arrangements. The MOVE group's members often took the surname "Africa" to symbolize their heritage and disassociation from the Western system. The organization's beliefs and practices were considered radical and led to ongoing tensions with authorities.
- In the late 1970s, MOVE, a Black liberation group, faced a deadly standoff with the Philadelphia Police Department, culminating in a police raid where an officer was killed. Following the raid, nine MOVE members were arrested and received lengthy prison sentences. The confrontation also resulted in the death of a baby, which MOVE attributed to police actions.
- Mayor Wilson Goode's reform platform focused on addressing corruption and racism in Philadelphia. He aimed to bring about positive change in the city by implementing policies and initiatives to combat these issues. Goode's election as the first Black mayor of Philadelphia in 1984 marked a significant moment in the city's history, with high expectations for progress and reform under his leadership. His administration's efforts were aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and equity in city governance.
- The 1985 standoff between the MOVE organization and the city of Philadelphia escalated when attempts to remove MOVE members from their fortified house failed. The decision to drop a bomb on the house was made in an effort to eliminate a rooftop bunker. Tragically, the bomb sparked a catastrophic fire that quickly spread, resulting in the deaths of 11 MOVE members, including 6 children. The aftermath raised questions about the police department's actions and the lack of accountability for the tragic outcome.
- The lack of immediate firefighting response referred to the delayed action taken by the fire department to extinguish the fire that started after the bomb was dropped on the MOVE house. This delay allowed the fire to escalate quickly, leading to devastating consequences. The delayed response has raised questions about the handling of the situation and the effectiveness of the emergency response efforts.
- The contradictory statements by the police department and fire chiefs referred to inconsistencies in their accounts regarding the handling of the fire after the bomb was ...
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