People Magazine Investigates Season 3 Episode 2 Terror in Philadelphia

In People Magazine Investigates season 3 episode 2, titled "Terror in Philadelphia," the show delves into a shocking and terrifying case that unfolded in the City of Brotherly Love in the mid-1980s.

At the center of the case is a ruthless and violent gang known as the MOVE organization, which has been engaged in a long and bitter feud with local authorities. The group, which was founded by a man named John Africa, espoused a philosophy that emphasized natural living and a rejection of modern technology. However, they also had a history of clashing with law enforcement and had become something of a thorn in the side of the city government.

The situation came to a head on May 13, 1985, when Philadelphia police attempted to serve arrest warrants on several members of the MOVE organization. The group responded by barricading themselves inside a rowhouse in the Powelton Village neighborhood of the city.

What followed was a tense and chaotic standoff that lasted for more than 24 hours. Authorities attempted to negotiate with the group, but as tensions escalated, the police commissioner ordered a controversial decision: to drop a bomb on the house in an effort to force the MOVE members to surrender.

The explosion that followed was devastating, instantly killing several occupants of the house and sparking a raging fire that would eventually destroy dozens of homes in the surrounding neighborhood. In the end, 11 people lost their lives, including five children, and the aftermath of the incident would haunt the city for years to come.

"Terror in Philadelphia" examines the events leading up to the bombing, the decisions made by law enforcement officials, and the impact that the incident had on the city and its residents. Interviews with witnesses, survivors, and experts provide a detailed and emotional look at a tragic event that continues to serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked violence and the importance of communication and understanding between different groups in society.

Overall, this episode of People Magazine Investigates offers a sobering look at a dark moment in Philadelphia's history and raises important questions about the role of law enforcement and the rights of citizens in a democratic society.