The MOVE Conflict in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, took place on May 13, 1985, and was a confrontation between the city government and the black liberation group MOVE. The conflict resulted in the death of 11 people, including five children, and the destruction of 61 homes in the Osage Avenue neighborhood of West Philadelphia.
The conflict began when police attempted to evacuate the MOVE headquarters on Osage Avenue after months of negotiations and confrontations between the group and the city. The police used tear gas and water cannons to force MOVE members out of the building, but the group refused to leave. After a standoff lasting several hours, the police dropped a bomb on the MOVE headquarters, which resulted in a fire that destroyed the building and several surrounding homes.
The MOVE Conflict was a significant event in the history of Philadelphia, as it highlighted the tensions between the city government and African American activists and the use of police force to resolve conflicts with black liberation groups. The conflict also resulted in a lasting impact on the city, as it led to changes in the way that the police handled conflicts with activist groups and the way that the city dealt with alternative lifestyles and political movements.
The MOVE Conflict remains a controversial event in the history of Philadelphia, as many people question the use of excessive force by the police and the destruction of the homes of innocent residents. The MOVE Conflict continues to be the subject of ongoing discussions about civil rights, police brutality, and the role of government in addressing social and political movements.