May 14-31, 1985

Public Response

• National and international outrage
• Mayor Goode initially defends operation as necessary
• Images of burning city block broadcast worldwide
• Civil rights organizations demand federal investigation
• Displaced residents begin organizing

June-October 1985

Political Fallout

• Public pressure mounts
• Mayor Goode approval ratings plummet
• Police union defends operation
• Community demands accountability

November 1985

First Resignations

• Police Commissioner Gregore Sambor resigns
• Fire Commissioner William Richmond reassigned
• Managing Director Leo Brooks resigns
• Critical Note: All receive full pensions; no admissions of wrongdoing

November 11, 1985

Commission Appointed

• Mayor Goode appoints Philadelphia Special Investigation Commission
• 11 members, chaired by William H. Brown III
• Given subpoena power and full access to records
• Mandate: investigate what happened and why

1986: The Official Verdict

March 6, 1986

MOVE Commission Report Released

Key Findings:

• “Dropping a bomb on an occupied row house was unconscionable“
• “Unjustified and willful use of excessive force”
• Plan was “reckless, ill-conceived, and hastily approved”
• Decision to let fire burn showed “gross negligence”
• Officials failed to protect civilians, especially children
• No unified command structure
• Alternatives never seriously considered

Named Responsible:

• Mayor W. Wilson Goode – approved plan without adequate review
• Police Commissioner Gregore Sambor – recklessly executed operation
• Fire Commissioner William Richmond – agreed to let fire burn
• Managing Director Leo Brooks – failed oversight

Recommendations:

• Create civilian oversight of police
• Improve use-of-force policies
• Better inter-agency coordination
• Hold officials accountable for policy violations
• Compensate victims adequately

What Happened to Recommendations:

• Most ignored
• Civilian oversight not created until 2020 (35 years later)
• Use-of-force policies minimally updated
• No accountability mechanisms implemented

Why This Matters: An official commission said it was unconscionable. Think about that word. Not “regrettable.” Not “unfortunate.” Unconscionable. Means beyond the limits of what’s acceptable. Means indefensible. Means there’s no excuse. And still, no one went to prison.

1987-1996: The Accountability That Didn’t Come

1987

Civil Lawsuit Filed

• Ramona Africa files federal civil rights lawsuit
• Joined by estates of John Africa and Conrad Africa
• Alleges excessive force, unreasonable search and seizure, constitutional violations

1988

Grand Jury Investigation

• Philadelphia County grand jury convened
• Reviews Commission findings
• Hears testimony from officials
• Considers criminal charges

Grand Jury Decision:

• No indictments issued
• But: Issues scathing presentment
• Calls events “epic of governmental incompetence”
• Describes “political cowardice, inexperience, and ineptitude”
• Finds “utter disregard for constitutional rights”
• Reasoning for no charges: Difficulty proving criminal intent; officials made “mistakes in judgment”

Criticism:

• District Attorney accused of not vigorously pursuing charges
• Grand jury composition questioned
• Many view decision as politically motivated
• Some jurors later express private regret

1989-1995

Civil Case Progresses

• Discovery process
• Depositions of city officials
• Document review
• Trial preparation

June 1996

Federal Jury Verdict

• Africa v. City of Philadelphia
• Jury finds City of Philadelphia LIABLE
• Constitutional violations proven
• Excessive force established
• Awards $1.5 million in damages:
  • $500,000 to Ramona Africa
  • $500,000 to estate of John Africa
  • $500,000 to estate of Conrad Africa

Significance:

• Only successful legal accountability
• Establishes official finding of constitutional violations
• However: No individual officials held personally liable
• Damages viewed as grossly inadequate

Why This Matters: $1.5 million total for eleven deaths and sixty-one destroyed homes. Divide that out. See what the city thought those lives were worth. See what a jury thought was adequate compensation. Then understand why impunity continues: the cost of violence is less than the cost of accountability.