• PugJesus@piefed.socialOPM
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    2 months ago

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_MOVE_bombing

    MOVE members shot at Philadelphia police who had come to evict them from the house they were using as their headquarters. Philadelphia police aviators then dropped two explosive devices from a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter onto the roof of the house, which was occupied at the time. For 90 minutes, the Philadelphia Police Department allowed the resulting fire to burn out of control, destroying 61 previously evacuated neighboring houses over two city blocks and leaving 250 people homeless.[3] Six adults and five children were killed in the attack;[4] two occupants of the house, one adult and one child, survived. A lawsuit in federal court found that the city used excessive force and violated constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure.[5]

    One of many fucking reasons why proportionality in response is vital. But hey, sure, let’s burn down the whole fucking block, it’s not like it’ll come out of the police budget. :/

    • SilverFlame@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      I wasn’t born yet, but hearing stories from neighbors about MOVE makes them sound like a nuisance. Poorly managed composting that drew vermin into the area (and stank), preaching all hours of the day via loudspeaker… letting the whole block burn was a terrible decision, but I can understand not wanting to send officers in to assault a fortified position

      • PugJesus@piefed.socialOPM
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        2 months ago

        That’s just the thing, though - that’s why proportionality is important.

        MOVE needed to be evicted. Doing it by a fucking bombing was excessive. Letting the whole fucking block burn was definitely a ACAB moment.