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It's hard to even remember all the outrageous things that the City of Philadelphia has done over the past month.
Let's review.
I'm sure I'll miss some but I'll try.
Thread.
Let's review.
I'm sure I'll miss some but I'll try.
Thread.
City leadership rejected a plan to respond to the first night of protest (May 30) because, and I'm quoting the managing director, they were "out of touch" and "underestimated the anger and rage and frustration of folks Iâm hired to serve." https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/a/philadelphia-police-overwhelmed-protests-city-leaders-george-floyd-20200611.html
The next day, May 31st, in the predominantly black West Philly, police used tear gas indiscriminately.
"Two local doctors.. said they had to help a family evacuate their home after a tear gas canister landed on their front porch."
No apology. https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-philadelphia-tear-gas-use-of-force-police-investigation-20200628.html
"Two local doctors.. said they had to help a family evacuate their home after a tear gas canister landed on their front porch."
No apology. https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-philadelphia-tear-gas-use-of-force-police-investigation-20200628.html
On June 1, when protesters shut down a highway, police shot canisters on tear gas trapping the protesters.
Only luck prevented deaths.
The next day, both mayor and commissioner gave false account on why tear gas was used. https://www.inquirer.com/news/george-floyd-protests-philadelphia-gas-police-vine-street-expressway-20200601.html
Only luck prevented deaths.
The next day, both mayor and commissioner gave false account on why tear gas was used. https://www.inquirer.com/news/george-floyd-protests-philadelphia-gas-police-vine-street-expressway-20200601.html
Even though the mayor and commissioner were called out *that same day* for not offering any corroboration for their narrative, and even after it was disproven by dash cam video, it took national pressure from a NYT video for an apology to follow.
This wasn't enough.
This wasn't enough.
The same day of the I-676 atrocity, residents of Fishtown saw police share pizza with armed vigilantes who violated curfew -- which was an excuse to arrest protesters and journalists. https://www.inquirer.com/news/fishtown-george-floyd-protests-philadelphia-bats-hammers-20200602.html
ALL OF THIS IS ONLY THREE DAYS IN! WE ARE STILL ONLY IN JUNE 1ST.
I'll fast forward.
I'll fast forward.
Then there were the vigilantes at Columbus statue in South Philly -- threatening and making vial racist comments, and throwing punches, while police stood by and told journalists to leave. https://www.inquirer.com/news/columbus-statue-black-lives-matter-krasner-philadelphia-marconi-vigilantes-20200616.html
In between lots of arrests of journalists from multiple publications (I'll give the police this: they have good taste. They arrest only the best journalists). Most recent one was when Philly deployed COUNTER TERROR UNIT to respond to civil disobedience. https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-inquirer-reporter-samantha-melamed-detained-20200623.html
Then we learned that police took arrested protesters to the closed House of Correction that has been deemed inhabitable -- full of broken glass and mysterious fluids.
No words. https://billypenn.com/2020/07/01/philly-police-held-protesters-decommissioned-jail-dangerous-house-of-corrections/
No words. https://billypenn.com/2020/07/01/philly-police-held-protesters-decommissioned-jail-dangerous-house-of-corrections/
As a cherry, counter terrorism visited Jose de Marco, a Philadelphia activism legend, *twice* because... checks notes.. he sent flowers to the managing director as an act of protest.
Well done, Philly. Well done. https://whyy.org/articles/phillys-counterterrorism-unit-interrogated-protester-who-picketed-mayor-kenneys-right-hand-man/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Well done, Philly. Well done. https://whyy.org/articles/phillys-counterterrorism-unit-interrogated-protester-who-picketed-mayor-kenneys-right-hand-man/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Sprinkled in between all of these wrongdoings and abuses were a lot of "no comment" and lack of any transparency.
But don't worry guys, internal affairs is investigating so it's all good.
Fin.
But don't worry guys, internal affairs is investigating so it's all good.
Fin.
You know what's mind boggling -- all of this is so much that is so bad and I'm absolutely certain that I missed multiple things that need to be on this list.
