Everytime we talk about the MOVE bombing, we get at least a few people who say they had never heard about it until then. We made this bumper sticker to get the message out there.
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The MOVE bombing, which occurred on May 13, 1985, in Philadelphia, stands as a grotesque example of police brutality and excessive force. MOVE, a radical black liberation group, had long been targeted by the Philadelphia Police Department due to their anti-government stance and communal living practices. On that fateful day, after a prolonged standoff, the police escalated their tactics to an unprecedented and violent level by dropping a bomb from a helicopter onto the MOVE house. This act of state violence resulted not only in the deaths of eleven people, including five children, but also in the destruction of 61 homes in the predominantly African American neighborhood of Cobbs Creek. The police and city officials displayed a blatant disregard for the lives of MOVE members and the surrounding community, prioritizing a show of power over the preservation of human life and property.
The aftermath of the bombing revealed the depths of systemic racism and corruption within the city's institutions. Despite the catastrophic consequences, no officials were criminally charged, and the incident was largely swept under the rug by the authorities. The media portrayal often framed the MOVE members as dangerous extremists, further dehumanizing the victims and justifying the police's actions in the public eye. The MOVE bombing is a stark reminder of the lengths to which law enforcement will go to suppress dissent, particularly when it comes from marginalized communities. It underscores the need for accountability and reform in policing practices to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
- Measures 3" x 10"
- 5-year minimum outdoor life