Browse Items (16 total)

Police Commissioner Sambor submitted his resignation in November of 1985 following the backlash against his actions in the MOVE bombing. At the time, he claimed that he was not being forced out of his position. However, just three months later in a…

In 1988, the state of Pennsylvania took developing company Edwards and Harper to court for misappropriation of funds. Edwards and Harper was hired to rebuild the homes on Osage Avenue, but the construction was shoddy and the work in no way reflected…

Residents affected by the fire raised criticisms of the city's attempts to rebuild. Not only were they concerned that the new homes would not be up to standard, but also that they hadn't received much of the money raised by relief agencies. Clifford…

This New York Times article made public the findings of the Philadelphia Special Investigation Commission, a committee that had been created specifically to investigate the MOVE bombing. While concluding that the bombing was "excessive" and…

This New York Times article demonstrates how unprepared the city was to deal with the ramifications of the bombing, as well as major communication issues at the top level of city government. As the investigation was ongoing, Mayor W. Wilson Goode…

This is a collection of interviews done with various people associated with the MOVE bombing. Interviewees include Ramona Africa (a MOVE member and the only adult survivor of the May 1985 confrontation), Officer James Berghaier, Fire Commissioner…

Ultimately, no city officials were ever charged with a crime for the bombing and the resulting fire. The grand jury that overheard the case used blistering language to condemn Mayor Goode, but voted not to file charges by an overwhelming majority.…

This lengthy report by the County Investigating Grand Jury examines the history of MOVE and breaks down each of the decisions made on May 13, 1985. Much like the Special Investigation Committee, they decided that no criminal act was committed, but…

In this detailed report, the Special Investigation Commission laid out the facts of the incident as well as their findings and recommendations for the future. While they condemned the actions of Mayor Goode, Commissioner Sambor, and Commissioner…

An aerial view of the burned out rowhouses, taken the day after the fire. Osage Avenue is visible in between the ruins. The aerial view captures the totality of the destruction. City officials scrambled to rebuild the destroyed property. Goode…