u'll never hear me until u listen

Darth Vader

May 13, 1985 :Philadelphia Police Department drop an explosive device from a helicopter onto a residential home occupied by the MOVE Organization following a standoff & firefight. The Philadelphia Fire Department let the subsequent fire burn out of control, destroying 61 homes over two city blocks.

MOVE was a black liberation group that encompassed philosophies of black nationalism, anarcho-primitivism, & animal rights. The group was founded in 1972 by John Africa, a native of West Philly & veteran of the Korean War. Africa began a series of racial teachings that grew a following of people who believed in his ideology. He compiled his thoughts into a book called "The Guidelines", which became the primary source of his teachings & principles.

MOVE advocated a radical form of environmental politics, opposed science, medicine, & technology. They regularly held demonstrations against animal cruelty in front of zoos, puppy mills, & any institutional form of enslavement of animals, using bullhorns to propel their ideals. The members were often jailed for their actions.

In 1985, police obtained arrest warrants charging four MOVE occupants with parole violations, contempt of court, illegal possession of firearms, & the City classified MOVE as a terrorist organization. Police evacuated residents of the area from the neighborhood prior to their action.

On May 13, 1985, nearly 500 police officers arrived in force and attempted to clear the building & execute the arrest warrants.

When the MOVE members did not respond to exit their home, the police decided to forcibly remove the 13 members. Police lobbed tear gas canisters at the building & MOVE members fired at them. A 90 min gunfight ensued. Police used more than 10,000 rnds of ammunition before Commissioner Sambor ordered that the compound be bombed. Two 1lb bombs made of FBI-supplied Tovex, a dynamite substitute, were dropped from a police helicopter, targeting a cubicle on the roof of the house. The ensuing fire killed 11 of the people in the house; John Africa, five other adults, & five children aged 7 to 13.