Our Sponsor:
William Penn House
Robin Apartments
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CCRA Supports Proposed Police Reform and Requests That FOP Be Asked To Renegotiate Its Contract And That Council Convene Over the Summer
On June 8, Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson sent a letter to Mayor Kenney, signed by 13 other supporting Councilmembers, containing 15 relatively specific recommendations for police department reform. On June 9, Mayor Kenney issued a document titled: "Actions for change: No budget increase, new use-of-force policies, changes to union contract, and more." It responds, affirmatively, to each of the 15 recommendations in Johnson's June 8 letter, and actually goes much further. It also ties in the previously announced Police Reform Working Group and a newly created "Reconciliation Steering Committee." (View document here.) Over the past several days, the CCRA Board voted to endorse the reforms set forth in these documents, and to so advise the Mayor and City Council. Equally important, given the centrality of the City's contract with the Fraternal Order of Police to the implementation of several of these reforms, CCRA is requesting that the Mayor and Councilmembers ask the FOP to renegotiate its contract now. Furthermore, given the urgency of the moment, CCRA is also requesting that Council convene over its traditional summer recess (from now until mid-September) in order to hold hearings and enact the legislation necessary to effectuate the proposed reforms. We look forward to the responses of Mayor Kenney and all Councilmembers to our requests. The text of our letter, which is going out today, is as follows:
To The Mayor and City Council:
In the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, the Center City Residents' Association (CCRA) agrees with Councilmember Johnson's June 8th letter, signed by 13 other Councilmembers, which asserts that "police reform cannot wait" and that the City must "act decisively." We also support Mayor Kenney's June 9th agenda for police reform and his commitment to "seize this moment" and "move quickly, because too many lives are being lost." Both documents are laudable. However,
b
ecause "police reform cannot wait," because now is the time to "move quickly," CCRA implores the Administration and Council to immediately call upon the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police to renegotiate its contract so that these necessary reforms can be realized. And because "police reform cannot wait," because now is the time to "move quickly," CCRA implores Council to do three things: (1) swiftly draft bills necessary to implement the proposals already endorsed by a great majority of Council and the Mayor; (2) promptly hold public hearings on the proposed new laws; and (3) convene no later than August to enact the necessary legislation.
In keeping with the urgency of the moment, we look forward to a speedy response.
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Southern Land Company's Proposed Mixed-Use Building at 1608 Sansom Street
Virtual Meeting Information
Southern Land Company's public meeting will hold a live stream in lieu of an in-person meeting given the CDC's guidelines on gatherings on:
Thursday, July 9th, 2020, 7pm EDT
Phone Number:
646 558 8656 US
Meeting ID: 843 0114 6540
Password: 700717
A copy of the CDR presentation can be found
here.
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Covid-19 Updates - Reopening
- Philadelphia Remains in the "Yellow Phase" of reopening. The Kenney Administration says the "earliest to go to 'Green Phase' is July 3." Some businesses are allowed to open beginning June 26. Businesses include salons, barbers, spas,and other personal services.
- SEPTA
requires all riders to wear face covering and to practice social distancing when you can. All SEPTA services are running normally on their summer schedule except the Regional Rail. Starting Monday, June 29, Regional Rail will run hourly weekday service on most lines, with the Airport and Paoli/Thorndale Lines operating every 30 minutes throughout the day. The Chestnut Hill West and Cynwyd Lines will remain suspended.
- Philadelphia Zoo will reopen on July 9 - the
Philadelphia Zoo will open for members only July 6-8 and will open to the general public starting July 9.
Reservations
are required for ALL GUESTS, including members.
Visit our special Covid-19 page on our
website
for more news and info.
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Would you like to be a member of CCRA? It's easy to join.
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Petition to Rename Taney Street
The neighborhood is alive with efforts to decry America's racist past, as reported in the
Inquirer on 6/22. Protestors on Fitler Square's Taney Street expressed their commitment to change the name of the street, named after former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney. Justice Taney wrote the majority opinion in
Dred Scott vs. Sandford, in 1857. The decision held that Africans, enslaved or free, did not have standing to sue in federal court and that slaves were the property of their owners. Neighbors want the street renamed "
to honor someone who has united the country rather than divided it, and who recognizes the important contributions of all Americans".
Click here to add your name to the Petition to Rename Taney Street
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Free Virtual Tour at the American Revolution Museum
Celebrate Independence with a Week of Free Virtual Experiences for All Ages. Saturday, June 27 to Saturday, July 4.
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Fourth of July Live Fireworks Show Has Been Cancelled
The City spoke with the Inquirer and said the firework shows, "
encourage people to gather in close proximity, which is not recommended at this time due to potential spread of COVID-19." Instead, the city will broadcast a recording of last year's fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the paper reports. You'll be able to tune in on TV and
online
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The Friends of Philadelphia City Institute Library (PCI) on Rittenhouse Square want to know why you love the PCI library.
Now through July 4, 2020,we invite you to tell the world
I Love PCI Library Because...
Participate by clicking here.
Library patrons of all ages are encouraged to submit any item from a few words to a picture that illustrates why you love PCI library. Your
responses will be made into a slide show on PCI Friends website, and, once the library reopens, the slide show will be shown on the wall where the mural used to be.
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CCRA Merchant Member Discount Program
S
upport our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount
(described here)
to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification.
NextMove Dance - Get $10 off Dance Performances with your CCRA Membership. Members use promo code SAVE10.
Philly Foodworks - Use the code "CCRA" when signing up for home delivery and receive a $20 discount on delivery charges.
Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their concerts.
East West Acupuncture
, 419 S. 19th St (415-758-1057)
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