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Philadelphia Marks 40th Anniversary of MOVE Bombing with Official Remembrance

Commemorations honor the 11 lives lost and the destruction of a Black neighborhood, as efforts for justice and education continue.

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Mourners of MOVE members killed in the bombing by the Philadelphia Police stand in front of their former headquarters as the funeral procession for John Africa passes.
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Overview

  • Philadelphia City Council officially declared May 13, 2025, a day of remembrance for the 40th anniversary of the MOVE bombing.
  • The 1985 police bombing at 6221 Osage Avenue killed 11 people, including five children, and destroyed 61 homes in the predominantly Black Cobbs Creek neighborhood.
  • Africa Jr., a relative of two victims, has purchased the rebuilt site with plans to establish a memorial to preserve the event's memory.
  • New documentaries, books, and a podcast series continue to explore the tragedy’s history, its impact, and the systemic racial injustice it represents.
  • Despite the devastation, no officials were prosecuted, and the city’s apology came 35 years later, highlighting ongoing calls for accountability and reconciliation.