By: Alyssa Wilson

Thomas Farley, the Philadelphia Health Commissioner, resigned Thursday after admitting he oversaw the cremation and disposal of the remains from victims of the 1985 MOVE bombing.  

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Farley found remains in the Medical Examiner’s Office four years ago. He did not identify the remains or notify the families. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney asked Farley to resign after learning of his actions.  

“This action lacked empathy for the victims, their family, and the deep pain that the MOVE bombing has brought to our city for nearly four decades,” Kenney said.  

Sam Gulino, a medical examiner who Farley said disposed of the bone fragments, was placed on administrative leave. An investigation is underway.  

RELATED: Remembering the Philadelphia MOVE Bombing 36 years later 

This came on the 36th anniversary of the day when the Philadelphia Police Department dropped an aerial bomb on Osage Avenue. Eleven members of the MOVE liberation group were killed, including five children. The Black neighborhood was destroyed, and hundreds were left homeless.  

Mike Africa Jr., a second-generation MOVE member, joined Marc Lamont Hill on “Black News Tonight” to discuss Farley’s resignation. “It’s really messed up, man,” he said. “This is how the system do. They are going to turn peaceful people into violent people.”  

This is not the first controversial incident involving victims of the MOVE bombing. In April, the Penn Museum and the University of Pennsylvania apologized for holding onto the remains of a victim for research and teaching purposes.

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by police violence and racism, resources are available here.