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Today in History: Police helicopter bombs MOVE house, killing eleven

5/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On May 13 1985, Pennsylvania State Police deployed a helicopter that dropped a bomb on the West Philadelphia home of MOVE, a black liberation group rooted in anarcho-primitivist and Black-Panther-style activism. The explosion killed eleven members, including children, and sparked nationwide outrage over police militarization.

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Story summary

On May 13 1985, Pennsylvania State Police deployed a helicopter that dropped a bomb on the West Philadelphia home of MOVE, a black liberation group rooted in anarcho-primitivist and Black-Panther-style activism. The explosion killed eleven members, including children, and sparked nationwide outrage over police militarization.