The film opens with Philadelphia TV reporters viewing and broadcasting a news story about violence in society since JFK 's assassination in 1963 . With the increase in crime , Philadelphia is becoming unsafe . Proud Italian-American , John D'Angelo , runs a deli in town . While driving with his wife , Lisa , John comes across a pimp known as Eldorado , brutalizing one of his prostitutes . John 's wife confronts the pimp and the pimp chases the D'Angelos , ramming his car into the back of the D'Angelos ' vehicle , injuring Lisa and killing their unborn baby . Later , John 's mother , Vera , is assaulted in the neighborhood by robbers who tried to take her wedding ring
JFK 's assassination
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Fighting Back (1982 American film)