Independent Lens Season 15 Episode 19 Let the Fire Burn

In season 15 episode 19 of Independent Lens, titled "Let the Fire Burn," viewers are transported back to May 13, 1985, when a devastating fire destroyed an entire city block in West Philadelphia. The fire was sparked during a confrontation between the city's police department and the radical group MOVE, which advocated for a return to a natural lifestyle.

Through archival footage and interviews, the episode explores the events leading up to the fire, as well as the aftermath. MOVE members had been living in a row house on Osage Avenue for several years, and their lifestyle, which included loudspeakers broadcasting messages and the use of a composting toilet, had caused tension with their neighbors and local authorities. As tensions grew, the police department obtained a court order to evict MOVE from their home.

On May 13, a large group of police officers arrived at the MOVE house with the intention of carrying out the eviction order. However, a confrontation quickly escalated and gunfire was exchanged. Police then dropped a bomb on the house, causing a massive fire that ultimately destroyed 61 homes and left 11 MOVE members dead, including five children.

The episode explores the question of who was to blame for the tragedy, with some arguing that the city's authorities were at fault for using excessive force and not heeding warnings about the potential for violence. Others argue that MOVE was responsible for provoking the confrontation and refusing to comply with the court order.

Ultimately, "Let the Fire Burn" provides a harrowing look at a dark moment in Philadelphia's history, a moment that continues to raise important questions about the balance of power between citizens, activists, and law enforcement.