Groups of small children, unaware of the corrupt culture which is pervasive in their city, held hands and entered a Center City Philadelphia park on Monday, shortly before 10am, for a festive celebration. It was the 11th birthday of Franklin Square, the well-kept park which is situated across the street from the headquarters of the Philadelphia Police Department at 7th and Race.
Former Pennsylvania Governor Mr. Ed Rendell, who was one of the scheduled speakers for the Monday morning event, wobbled past the balloons and towards a podium. The lens of television cameras was focused on him. But, Mr. Rendell, who once served as Philadelphia District Attorney and Philadelphia Mayor, was muted; he never spoke; and neither did anyone else.
The celebration quickly turned into an occupation by the Justice for David Jones Coalition. Two demonstrators – Mr. Isaac Gardner and Mr. Asa Khalif – stepped in front of the podium and alerted those who were present that a party, in fact, would not happen. Monday’s direct action marked the beginning of the second ‘Week of Rage.’
The gentlemen, who refrained from using profanity due to the many young children in the park, kept the promise they made on Friday when they, joined by other coalition members, released a list of demands germane to policing at 7th and Race. No politician nor event, whether it be a ribbon cutting ceremony or a public meeting, will be safe from rage until justice for Mr. David Jones is served, they pledged.
Mr. Jones, while unarmed and fleeing, was shot in the back and killed on June 8th by a white Philadelphia police officer. This officer, whose name is Mr. Ryan Pownhall, had years ago shot another black man in the back; that shooting wasn’t fatal.
Since the deadly incident, politicians for the most part have reserved their remarks (Police Commissioner Richard Ross said footage of a fleeing Mr. Jones gave him pause and the Mayor said it was a “terrible situation”). In other words, City officials, some who haven’t seen the video of the officer-involved-shooting, have remained silent.
Philadelphia City Councilman Mr. Mark Squilla, who on Monday admitted to not watching the video even after being informed of it two weeks prior, was confronted by Mr. Gardner, who has been organizing rallies almost weekly to bring attention to the shooting and the lack of communication between the City and the Jones family.
“When a police officer is shot, you guys speak within minutes,” Mr. Gardner shouted. “Why haven’t you spoken about the David Jones shooting?” Mr. Gardner then asked.
The Councilman, who represents the City’s First District, said he wants to wait until the investigation is completed before making remarks. He did, however, say that anytime anyone is shot, that’s a tragedy.
Mr. Gardner, who became an activist only after seeing footage of the shooting on the news, challenged Mr. Squilla to “show the people you care.”
During the occupation of the park, Mr. Rendell – who Mr. Khalif accused of having “blood on his hands” due to the MOVE bombing (Mr. Rendell was the District Attorney when the 1985 massacre, wherein 11 black men, women and children died due a bomb being dropped on their home, occurred) – stayed behind the lectern, still attempting to deliver his remarks.
“This is an occupation, you might as well pack your shit and go home,” Mr. Khalif, who leads the Black Lives Matter Movement Pennsylvania Chapter, told the former governor. “Turn in your dancing shoes, the party is over!”
Mr. Rendell did finally speak, but it wasn’t to the crowd… it was to the news media. He said he didn’t believe the cause Mr. Khalif and Mr. Gardner represents is being helped by the disruption of events, but that they certainly have a right to protest.
The career politician, who Mr. Khalif on numerous occasion called “Fast Eddie,” denounced the frowned-upon body camera bill which was just signed by the current Pennsylvania governor and touted that he was the first DA to create a police brutality unit, which he claims arrested and prosecuted nine Philadelphia police officers, including one who was recorded beating and stomping on Mr. Delbert Africa of MOVE in the late 1970s.
“Their grievances aren’t totally wrong,” Mr. Rendell said to NBC10 and 6abc.
A young black boy, who was likely looking forward to the festivities planned, came up to Mr. Khalif and Mr. Gardner after the action. He, with a fist raised in the air, had only three words for them: Black Lives Matter!
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Photos courtesy of the author.