SPECIAL REPORT | POLICE VIOLENCE
BLACK AND BLUE
A LOOK AT 190 YEARS OF POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE IN PHILADELPHIA.
By DAIN SAINT, CRAIG R. McCOY, TOMMY ROWAN, and VALERIE RUSS
A protester raises his hands in front of police at 52nd and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia on May 31, during a series of protests against police brutality. Philadelphia’s history is marked by decades of racist treatment by law enforcement. TIM TAI / Staff Photographer
IT DIDN’T START WITH GEORGE FLOYD.
There were many moments that led up to this one, especially in Philadelphia. The frustration that erupted here can't be understood without first understanding our past. This city has a long history of police brutality, and Black people have borne the brunt of it.
We’ve compiled some of the key events in the painful history of police violence against the Black community in Philadelphia. This is a glimpse into the legacy of racially discriminatory law enforcement in this city.
TIMELINE ON A14-19
Explore the interactive timeline, with links to our source documents, at inquirer.com/blackandblue
>CHAPTER 1: FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, 1830-1899
>CHAPTER 2: FREE BUT UNEQUAL, 1900-1962
>CHAPTER 3: THE RIZZO YEARS, 1963-1979
>CHAPTER 4: EYES ON INJUSTICE, 1980-2012
>CHAPTER 5: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES, 2013-PRESENT