A Day After Police-Involved Shootout Killed Man and Wounded Officer, Chester Mayor Urges Community to ‘Practice Patience’

  • March 16, 2016 11:35 pm

from mainstream media

Chester’s mayor urged residents in his city to be patient and show restraint on Sunday, a day after a police-involved shootout left an officer injured, a man dead and a second man wounded.

During a news conference Sunday morning, Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland praised the hospital that saved Police Capt. Alan Davis’ life, offered prayers to the man injured in the shooting and asked that the community show restraint as authorities investigate the incident.

Davis was shot in the chest and arm. He was in stable condition on Sunday. Police have not identified the man who died in the shooting or the man who was wounded.

Chester Police Capt. Alan Davis

“If we go through the process, then the truth will be revealed,” Kirkland said. “So we’re asking the Chester community once again to practice restraint, practice patience and understand that once this is done … the truth will come out.”

The shootout began as a traffic stop when Chester Police responded to a report of a possibly stolen vehicle at Union and Parker streets just after 4 p.m. Saturday, officials said. When officers arrived, at least one person inside opened fire, according to authorities.

“When the officers tried to stop it they didn’t cooperate and there ended up being shots fired from the car and then back at the car,” said Chester Police Chief James Nolan.

Chester Police Shooting Leaves Officer in Hospital One officer is in the hospital and one suspect died after shots were fired Saturday night in Chester. NBC10’s Randy Gyllenhaal reports with the updates in the story. (Published Saturday, March 12, 2016)

Captain Davis and the second suspect, a 19-year-old man, were taken to the Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Davis, a 26-year veteran of the police force, is currently in stable condition. Family members of the 19-year-old man who were outside the hospital told NBC10 he is stable as well. They also claimed the man is innocent and that police “got the wrong car.”

Police Officer in Hospital After Chester Shooting One police officer is being treated at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center after he was shot during a traffic stop in Chester. NBC10’s Drew Smith reports with an update on how the officer is doing. (Published Saturday, March 12, 2016)

A large crowd of community members gathered at the scene of the shooting Saturday evening. NBC10’s Randy Gyllenhaal reports a confrontation and fight occurred between police officers and some members of the crowd leading to pepper spray being used. Police told NBC10 the scuffle began when the crowd pushed up against the barrier as officials removed the man’s body from the scene. Police detained two people during the scuffle and say they have the situation under control.

Police continue to investigate the shooting. Residents told NBC10 they’re concerned about transparency during the investigation in light of another deadly police-involved shooting in February.

“The question is back to the police,” said Pastor Calvin Williams. “Who was at fault? Are ya’ll gonna tell the truth? All we want is the truth. We the people of the city of Chester, we want the truth this time.”

Eddie Africa Denied Parole

  • March 11, 2016 11:27 pm

from Free the MOVE 9!

When The Move 9 became eligible for parole in 2008 The Pennsylvania Parole Board took on the responsibility of officials of this system in keeping innocent Move Members in prison for the rest of their lives . From 2008 up until as recent as this past week all of The Move 9 have been denied parole.  . We received a call last night from our brother Eddie Africa who was calling to let us know he was denied yet again by The Pa Parole Board and was given a two year hit where he would not go before the board again until 2018 .
The Parole Board has cited the issue of Eddie being a risk to the safety of the community.At Eddie’s parole hearing the parole board was presented with a petition of 300 signatures of members of the community who would welcome him on parole into the community and who in fact felt no threat to their safety with Eddie in the community . It’s obvious that this community that the parole board is talking about is none other than the law enforcement community across the country who have mobilized against parole for Move Members .
This clearly shows that The Parole Board has no regards to the community and their input on anything as they only value the input of law enforcement officials who they are obviously  working in conjunction with to keep our family in prison . Eddie sounded strong as always and he has not been deterred by this and neither are we . The fight continues to win parole for our family as we prepare for our sisters may 2016 parole hearings . There will be more information to follow in the next couple of days on the next steps we are taking .
In the meantime we urge people to sign The Petition we aimed at US Attorney General Loretta Lynch as we demand that The Justice Department investigate the wrongful and ongoing imprisonment of The Move 9 . People can go to https://www.causes.com/campaigns/92454-free-the-move-9.

Four UCD Buildings Attacked

  • March 6, 2016 6:50 pm

from It’s Going Down

In the early morning of March 3rd, four University City District buildings had their locks glued and a camera removed. Anti-police and anti-gentrification slogans (“NO COPS,” “NO CONDOS,” “FREE BIG FREEDIA” etc) were painted as well.

University City District is an organization funded in part by University of Pennsylvania that polices and “maintains” space in West Philadelphia.

A no show doesn’t mean go home, it means go hard!!

  • February 5, 2016 4:18 pm

Submission

A no show doesn’t mean go home, it means go hard!!

Rumor has it that Daryush “Roosh V” Valizadeh and his Return of the Kings have canceled their international meet-ups due to safety concerns.
Philly has no reason to stand down in light of this. It’s easy to label him and his people as benign internet trolls, but the reality is way more sinister. The Return Of Kings represents a serious rise of tradtionalist fascist movements that aim to uphold structures of sexism, racism, transphobia, and homophobia through the direct promotion of violence. Roosh V even rails against “multiculturalism” making society “unlivable”. He is a self-described advocate of trumps doctrine as well. It cannot be stressed enough that these fuckrs are not as isolated as we wish they were.

White nationalist terror attacks have been on the rise as a white nationalist figurehead has been given the mainstream spotlight through the elections.
This is directly related to the struggles of women of all backgrounds. The same forces that enable these racist attacks to occur are the ones that allow there to be attacks on women’s health centrs, and women in general. The enemy is fascism, and all systems of control that dominate everyday life. This isn’t a matter of negotation. Women being raped, while rapists speak in comfort means this is a matter of war!

To expect the state to do a damn thing is a huge mistake. The state not only protects fascists, but it is an active part of the same structure that fascists aim to strengthen. The police are not our fucking friends. They enforce the same borders bastards like Trump wish to secure even more. They have their guns directed at the same people of color that white nationalists wish to see dead. It’s already well known that 40% of police officer’s families experience domestic violence at the hands of the officer in the family. Support for policing in what is a clearly a police-state has no place in any anti-fascist movement.

The kings may not return saturday night but fascists are stepping it up all over the country with the full suport of American politics. The ideas fascists promote are everywhere and a constant part of our society. Anti-fascists waiting even a moment longer means allowing the enemy to continue dealing the cards. It means allowing them to create the stakes, and control the game.

In an age where fascism is growing stronger, it’s abou time we strengthen our own convictions and actions. Whether these rapists show or not we still need to be out there celebrating anti-fascists resistance. It’s time we step it the fuck up and show every fascist scum what happens when they even so much as mention building a platform for their movement on OUR streets in OUR city. Every Fascist, and Rapist should have fear struck into their hearts when they hear the word “PHILLY”.

SEE YOU IN THE STREETS!

From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation

  • January 21, 2016 3:24 pm

from facebook

For most of US history, the police have used violence against African Americans with impunity—but after the murder of unarmed teenager Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, mass protests erupted to challenge that impunity. In the process, a new generation of Black activists has come to question the old methods of struggle, puncture the Obama-era illusion of a “postracial” United States, and declare without apology that #BlackLivesMatter.

In this stirring and insightful analysis, activist and scholar Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor surveys the history and current realities of US racism. Taylor examines how institutional racism has created and shaped the structural problems that affect Black people, such as mass incarceration and unemployment, even as more Black people hold political office than ever before. She paints a vivid picture of the context for this new struggle against police violence—and shows the potential of the Black Lives Matter movement to reignite and broaden the struggle for liberation.

[January 28 at 7pm at Friends Center 1501 Cherry St]

Protesters march through Center City, into stores

  • December 15, 2015 10:44 pm

from mainstream media


A group of demonstrators marched their way through Center City, entering stores and restaurants, to protest police brutality.

The marchers assembled around 5:00 p.m. Tuesday at Dilworth Park then began walking along Walnut Street toward Rittenhouse Square.

 During the march, members of the group entered stores and shouted messages associated with their cause.

According to SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel, the group entered such stores and restaurants as the Gap, the Apple store, and Devon Seafood Grill.

The protest made its way to 18th and Walnut before moving on toward City Hall. It came to an end around 7:00 p.m.

Action News reporter Dann Cuellar says the marchers were seeking justice for Brandon Tate-Brown and Freddie Gray.

RALLY: JUSTICE for BRANDON TATE BROWN

  • December 9, 2015 5:08 pm

from facebook

On Dec 15th 2014 Brandon Tate Brown was murdered by 2 Philadelphia Police officers in the North East section of philly. Tues Dec 15th 2015 Join us as we demand justice for Brandon. 4pm in front of City Hall.

The Age of Extremes- Climate Change, Terrorism, and Capitalism: A Talk and Discussion with Journalist Arun Gupta

  • December 4, 2015 6:37 pm

from facebook

Award-winning journalist Arun Gupta, in conversation with Sally Eberhardt, will discuss the state of America on the eve of the 2016 election. In recent years Gupta has gone undercover to police conventions, investigated the migrant crisis in Tijuana, stood on the frontlines of “Blockadia,” uncovered an FBI terrorist-entrapment plot, examined profiteering in the prison industry, traveled through the marijuana industry in California, infiltrated the Tea Party, covered Occupy Wall Street, and told the stories of Iraqi refugees, low-wage workers, and Black Lives Matter activists.

With more hot air than action coming out of the U.N. summit on climate change in Paris, Gupta will explain how terrorism, capitalism, and climate change are interconnected, and why there needs to be credible alternatives to capitalism or most Americans will continue to fall for demagogues like Donald Trump or pro-Wall Street, pro-war Democrats like Hillary Clinton.

Arun Gupta contributes to outlets including the Washington Post, The Nation, In These Times, The Guardian, The Progressive, YES! Magazine, Telesur, ZNet, Counterpunch, and Al-Jazeera America.

This event is free. The space is wheelchair accessible though the bathroom is not.

[December 11 at 7pm at Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St]

Me and My Friends Don’t Go to Jail

  • December 3, 2015 12:42 pm

from facebook

How do we keep fighting when our struggles are targets of repression? In other words, what is security culture, and how does it apply to our everyday lives? This workshop, the second in a series called “Anarchist Interventions,” will seek to practically engage with these questions. We’ll feature short presentations and interactive discussions on how to reduce risk of arrest or harassment, communicate more safely, and how this relates to the local context of political action and activism in Philly. This conversation feels especially pressing to us in light of state and autonomous attacks on Black Lives Matters movements by white supremacy.
[December 10 at 7:30pm at A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave]

Black Out Black Friday

  • November 27, 2015 2:41 am

from Instagram


#Philly Coalition for Real Justice is calling on people to #BlackOutBlackFriday. For #JamarClark #LaquanMcdonald and all the others taken from us by the state and white supremacy. #4thprecinctshutdown #blacklivesmatter #acab #ftp #philadelphia

[Facebook Event]

Solidarity With Minneapolis

  • November 24, 2015 8:18 pm

from Instagram


Yesterday four white supremacists shot five people at #4thprecinctshutdownin #Minneapolis. Protesters have been at the precinct to mourn and fight for #jamarclark who was killed by police. Philly Coalition for REAL Justice is calling for a demonstration in solidarity tomorrow November 25 at Broad and Erie at 5pm.
#philly #ftp #acab #justice4jamar #blacklivesmatter #philadelphia
[Facebook Event]

Militant Anti-Fascism and the Black Lives Matter Movement: A Panel Discussion and Q&A

  • November 1, 2015 8:35 pm

from private event page with permission

As part of our 2015 Network Conference, Antifa Philadelphia is proud to present a short panel discussion and Q&A with a group of Anti-Racists from all over the U.S.

We will be discussing the Black Lives Matter movement, specifically the role Neo-Nazis and other White Supremacists have played in trying to destroy it and how Anti-Fascist tactics and individuals can help stop them.

[November 7th at 2pm at The Rotunda 4014 Walnut St]

Suspect dead after confrontation with SEPTA police officer in Kensington

  • October 26, 2015 10:18 pm

from mainstream media

SEPTA released video showing a SEPTA police officer clashing with a man in Kensington early Monday morning. Authorities say the man attacked the officer and the officer fought back with a taser. The accused attacker is dead.

SEPTA police tell FOX 29 there is still a lot to cover in the investigation, but wanted to show us the surveillance video they’ve recovered and the information they have so far.

We Will Be Everywhere You Are, Commissioner Ramsey!

  • September 21, 2015 6:20 pm

from FTW/WTF

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has complained that “…there’s no opportunity for dialogue” after members of the Philly Coalition for Real Justice (PCxRJ) and Trayvon Martin Organizing Committee/Action Against Black Genocide (TMOC/AABG) disrupted a meeting he was speaking at last week.

He’s absolutely right: our tactics are designed to force him to do something he doesn’t want to do; they’re intended as a demonstration of power, an act of war against an enemy, not a gesture of civility in a barbarous system.

Protestors interrupt Philadelphia Police Commissioner Ramsey during community relations speech

  • September 2, 2015 2:01 am

from mainstream media

Protestors interrupted a speech by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey Tuesday night.

They shouted down the commissioner during an event at Eastern State Penitentiary which was actually on the topic of improving police relations with the community in the wake of Baltimore, Ferguson and Staten Island.

Commissioner Ramsey at first tried joking, then waiting them out, but their chants continued, even as he left.

The demonstrators continued outside, calling for justice for Brandon Tate-Brown and others.

Tate-Brown was shot to death by police officers last December in Mayfair, but the officers were cleared of any wrongdoing.