Overview

• Philadelphia held an official day of remembrance on the 40th anniversary of the 1985 MOVE bombing, which killed 11 people, including five children, and destroyed 61 homes in a predominantly Black neighborhood.
• The bombing, carried out by city police using C4 explosives, followed a prolonged siege involving over 10,000 rounds of ammunition fired into the MOVE residence at 6221 Osage Avenue.
• Africa Jr., whose family members died in the attack, has purchased the rebuilt site and plans to convert it into a memorial to honor the victims and educate future generations.
• The city council, led by Jamie Gauthier, officially declared the anniversary as a day of remembrance, emphasizing the importance of preserving the memory of the tragedy and preventing similar injustices.
• Ongoing controversies surrounding the handling of victims’ remains, including their recent discovery at the Penn Museum, have reignited demands for proper restitution and accountability.