On May 13, 1985, the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a bomb on the headquarters of MOVE, a Black liberation group, during a standoff in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood. The bombing resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including five children, and destroyed over 60 homes, leaving more than 250 residents homeless. This marked the first time a U.S. city government deployed explosives on its own citizens. The incident sparked widespread outrage and remains a stark example of excessive force used against Black communities.

A quick timeline:

• May 13, 1985 (morning): Police attempted to evict members of MOVE from their rowhouse at 6221 Osage Avenue using tear gas and water cannons.

• Later that day: Police dropped a bomb (C-4 attached to a gasoline canister) from a helicopter onto the home.

• The fire from the explosion spread and was allowed to burn, destroying 61 homes and killing 11 people, including 5 children.