Code Switch
40 years ago, Philadelphia police bombed this Black neighborhood on live TV
May 7, 2025
Lynn Washington, an investigative journalist and professor, joins Mike Africa Jr., a legacy director for the MOVE organization, to discuss the shocking 1985 police bombing in Philadelphia. They reflect on the tragic loss of eleven lives, including five children, and how this catastrophe has faded from collective memory. The conversation dives into the ongoing implications of race and policing, the fighting spirit of the MOVE organization, and the importance of acknowledging this forgotten tragedy for justice and healing in today's society.
36:20
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Quick takeaways
- The MOVE bombing in 1985 illustrates persistent racial injustices and the marginalization of violence against Black communities in American history.
- The ongoing fight for justice by survivors and families highlights a broader struggle for accountability within a flawed justice system.
Deep dives
The MOVE Bombing: A Historical Overview
On May 13, 1985, a confrontation between the Philadelphia Police Department and a radical group known as MOVE culminated in the police dropping a bomb on the group's headquarters. This tragic event resulted in a massive fire that consumed over a dozen homes and claimed the lives of eleven people, including five children. The police had been engaged in a long-standing conflict with MOVE, which was characterized by radical beliefs and clashes with law enforcement. The destruction of an entire neighborhood and the loss of innocent lives prompted significant outrage, yet many people are unaware of this painful chapter in history.
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