Councilmember Kendra Brooks
@KendraPHL
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City Councilmember At-Large. Mother and grandmother from North Philly. Organizer. Fighting for a Philadelphia where working families thrive.
Philadelphia
Joined January 2020
My Plan for Philly Families outlines research-based strategies to harness our city's greatest assets: the love, strength, and resilience of Philadelphia's working families. You can read the full plan here:
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I support the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza, as I supported the removal of the Rizzo statue, and as I support the removal of all other symbols and monuments to police brutality, racism, colonization, and oppression. (thread).
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Today I voted “no” on the the amended FY21 budget, which eliminates the $19 Million increase proposed for the FY21 PPD budget and moves crossing guards and safety officers out of the PPD budget. It includes no real cuts to the PPD for FY21. I believe this is a mistake. (thread).
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Sick with grief and anger over the death of Walter Wallace at the hands of police. Another Black person denied their humanity. Another man who was killed instead of helped. We will keep fighting because he deserved better. Because his mom deserved better. Because we all do.
Walter Wallace Jr., 27, a twin, father, and son, was shot 10 times by police, said his father, Walter Wallace Sr. A video shows Wallace was at least 10 ft away from the officers when began shooting. His mother begged them not to shoot.
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I want parents to know the truth about vouchers. Data show that private school vouchers overwhelmingly benefit wealthy families whose students never went to public schools in the first place. They are scam to take our public dollars and send them to private schools. #novouchers.
What people may not realize is these scholarships aren’t going to be paid for by Roc Nation, they would be paid for by taxpayers. Roc Nation is not donating $300M, they’re leading an advocacy effort fighting for Harrisburg to pass legislation that will create these scholarships.
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ICYMI: Data shows that despite being well-funded, police are failing to address serious, violent crime. The PPD spends most of their time on noncriminal calls & traffic infractions, deploying law enforcement to over-patrol and harass communities of color.
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It was a privilege to talk with @SenSanders today about the labor movement in Philly and how we can fight together for a political and economic system that works for all—not just the wealthy few. Philly is a union town, and we’re proud to host someone who fights for workers!
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We’re not asking for forgiveness. We’re asking for justice. Cancel 👏🏿 it 👏🏿 all 👏🏿. #pickupthepenJoe #CancelStudentDebt @StrikeDebt
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Thank you, @PhillyMayor, for removing a statue that symbolized police violence and the criminalization of the Black community in Philly. Now, it's time to reevaluate increasing the police budget by $14M and consider redistributing those resources to support communities.
“The [Frank Rizzo] statue is a deplorable monument to racism, bigotry, and police brutality for members of the Black community, the LGBTQ community, and many others," Mayor Kenney said in a statement Wednesday following the statue's removal. Details:
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This is an exciting step forward for Philadelphia. When Council passes this budget, it will mean free all-access Septa passes for 25K low-income Philadelphians to get to work, job interviews, school conferences, and family events.
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I believe that love is a mobilizing force, a commitment that challenges us to show up for each other, to care more courageously, to fight to transform our world for the better. Yesterday, Keith and I had a small ceremony in City Hall celebrating our love.
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I am a mom and a grandma, and first and foremost I am a Black woman. I am Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Renisha McBride. Just like millions of Black people across our city and country, I see myself in every murder of Black men, women and transgender people. (thread).
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Policing doesn't make our schools safe. Well-paid teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors & non-toxic buildings make our schools safe. My daughter, Zion, and other @215studentunion organizers are quoted in this article and I could not be prouder!.
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As a @TempleUniv alum, I am deeply ashamed of this behavior. Cutting healthcare and tuition benefits is not just a ruthless strikebreaking technique, it punishes low-income and working class students trying to make ends meet and get an education. Solidarity with @TUGSA_6290!.
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Displacing residents of the protest encampments only causes further harm to people who have experienced far too much harm already. I'm standing with @CouncilmemberJG to call on the City to cease plans to clear the encampments and resume negotiations. Housing is a human right.
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Tonight, Nancy Nguyen, a fearless organizer, compassionate leader, and champion for immigrant communities in Philadelphia will be safe at home with her family. Grateful.
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Solidarity with those fighting to protect our incarcerated community members from #COVIDー19. Each day we delay puts another life at risk that we can never get back #freeourpeople
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After two+ years of the pandemic and decades of disinvestment and structural racism, our communities deserve real relief from the unjust burden of student debt. Not $10k, not $50k. Cancel it all.
How quickly would $10k come back on your student loan balance due to interest?. For many, we are talking a couple of years. For some this would be life changing, for most it would be the same as cancelling $0.
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To pass a budget with no cuts to the PPD when thousands people are in the streets, occupying buildings, calling, emailing, rising up in grief and rage and saying “defund the police,” is a mistake. I can't vote for a budget that shows disregard for the voices of our constituents.
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The Philadelphia Housing Authority has suspended all evictions for 30 days, will be postponing all court appointments where residents have failed to pay rent, and will be offering a Hardship Rent Abatement. #COVID19 . More info ⬇️.
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One in five Philadelphians is eligible for a refund of their city wage tax, averaging $400 per person, but only 283 people applied last year. In budget hearings yesterday, I asked why we couldn’t make this refund automatic, just like other governments do!.
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This week, we lost a fearless organizer in the movement for housing justice, founder of Occupy PHA, Jen Bennetch. Jen had a long history of exposing injustices in the public housing system and occupying land to protest what she saw as a broken system that failed poor people. 🧵
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I have no words. No amount of training and no amount of funding can reform this kind of behavior. We need to completely reinvent our approach to community safety. Stay safe tonight, Philly. My heart is with you.
Video surfaces showing Philadelphia Police bashing SUV windows, then beating driver while child was in backseat
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Today I voted against this bill to ban ski masks in public spaces. I cannot in good conscience vote to further criminalize Black and brown young people in our city.
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The uprisings have made it very clear: People hold power. And the people have clear demands: Defund the police and invest in black communities. My op-ed in @PhillyInquirer today.
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The city should never use teargas and rubber bullets on its own citizens—especially not against trapped peaceful protestors and in Black residential neighborhoods. Community members don't just deserve apologies, they deserve justice.
the mayor and police commish apologized for the use of force on I-676, but not in West Philly, a residential Black neighborhood, where "the teargassing went on long after things were calm.”
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Changing a uniform doesn’t mean we suddenly have police free-schools. Training does not undo the harm that results from putting officers in our public schools. Social workers, well-trained teachers, nurses, and counselors make schools safe. Our kids deserve more than rebranding.
ICYMI: no more "police" in #PHLed, "safety officers" (that's what they're called, for now) in different uniforms, with more of a focus on mentoring/supportive services. Story:
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The fact that I contracted COVID-19, despite taking serious precautions and following social distancing guidelines, should serve as a reminder to everyone that the pandemic is not over. (1/3).
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Philadelphians re-elected @DA_LarryKrasner by a 2-1 margin. The impeachment hearings are an anti-democratic stunt led by people who want to silence us and unseat a duly-elected DA during an election year. Our entire democracy is at stake. Time to stop the political circus.🧵
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Every single day we lose 3 community members to preventable, drug overdoses. I am proud to stand with community members and harm reduction specialists today in support of an intentional, inclusive path to opening a Supervised Consumption Site in Philadelphia.
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Moms for Liberty is a hate group with 27 chapters in PA and a mission to erase the stories of Black people, queer people, and trans people from books and discussions in schools. Tomorrow they will convene in our city, along with their allies Trump and DeSantis. My statement:
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My statement on my vote in City Council today against banning overdose prevention centers:
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Thank you @SenatorSaval for coming to City Hall today to testify against the overlay banning overdose prevention centers. One preventable death is too many.
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Today I introduced the People’s Proposals: legislation that will ensure that everyone in this city is paying their fair share. The People’s Proposals include a bill to end the 10-year property tax abatement and a bill to re-introduce the intangible personal property tax (thread)
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The response that some residents have had to the statue, however, is about more than Columbus. Armed vigilante groups are defending more than a monument, but an idea of what it means to be white in America. An idea of white innocence and of white supremacy that is under threat.
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“Our multiracial movement is growing and rising. I am now the first third party Minority Leader in Philly history. Voters made clear that they want more progressive leadership in our city, and that’s what Councilmember O’Rourke and I plan to deliver.”
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Philly showed up in full force today to tell the Biden Administration to #CancelStudentDebt and make higher education a public good!
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Taking down the Columbus statue would be a powerful show of solidarity with POC, with indigenous people, and with all who have been harmed by generations of racial violence. Change is not easy, but it is necessary if we're committed to realizing racial & economic justice for all.
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It’s a beautiful day to demand accountability from Philly’s wealthiest institutions. Solidarity with the students, alumni, and organizers taking a stand against funding private police forces and for funding public education.
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Workers are what make the @philamuseum, an internationally renowned museum, run. They deserve a contract that reflects their value. Their testimonies were heard in City Hall today and we will continue to stand in full support of @PMA_Union members until they get a fair contract.
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Working people say NO to billionaire Jeff Yass and NO to vouchers. We want fully funded PUBLIC schools that accept all our children, no exceptions. #novouchers
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White vigilante groups are nothing new—they were a hallmark of the Jim Crow era and the racial violence that terrorized my family members. It is 2020, and we can't allow any efforts to harass, harm, or intimidate our community members in the name of white supremacy to continue.
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Great to see you back at work @JohnFetterman! All Pennsylvanians should be able to prioritize their physical and emotional health without fear of losing their jobs or putting their families at risk. Thank you for showing us what that looks like!
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But I cannot accept a budget that allows the Philadelphia Police Department to make up about 15% of our total operating budget when they have failed to historically make our neighborhoods safer.
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What if everyone paid their fair share for our public schools instead of working class communities always footing the bill?. If we ended the abatement, reintroduced a tax on stocks and bonds & had mega-nonprofits like Penn pay PILOTS, our kids could have the schools they deserve.
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Aramark workers at the Wells Fargo Center are on strike! If you go to the game tonight, show your support for workers and don’t make any Aramark purchases.
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This should go without saying but no one should be able to make $2.25M off of evicting 16,984 families from their homes. If we want to uproot systemic racism and oppression, let’s start by making it less profitable.
Philly Municipal Court relies on lawyer Marisa Silberstein Shuter to handle paperwork & hire muscle to evict tenants. She's also married to an eviction judge — an arrangement legal observers say presents a serious conflict of interest. via @rw_briggs .
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Our city suffered a number of unspeakable, devastating losses this morning. This is an immensely dark day for Philadelphia. We must get to the root cause of this horrific tragedy so that it never happens again.
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The way that reporters covering protests have been treated by PPD this past month is sickening. We cannot allow this pattern of behavior, a clear violation of PPD policy, to continue.
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The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an internationally-renowned treasure. The workers who make it that way deserve dignity, respect, good benefits, and just compensation. Solidarity with @PMA_Union striking workers!.
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Whether it's a statue, street, or school’s name, it's our work as elected officials to reevaluate what events and histories we promote in our city. The removal of the Columbus statue would be an important step in rectifying the myth that America was discovered by white Europeans.
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We cannot tolerate misgendering. We cannot tolerate harassment, bullying, violence, or hatred of any kind. @SecretaryLevine is leading PA in the fight against COVID-19 with grace, dedication, and professionalism. She deserves better—as do all of our trans community members.
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I applaud the Minneapolis City Council for taking this bold step toward keeping communities safe. When our institutions don't do what they set out to do, we should have the courage to reimagine them. Philly is taking notes.
Lisa Bender, the Minneapolis council president, says she and 8 other council members are commited "to end policing as we know it." A more complete remaking of the department is likely to unfold in coming months.
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Today, @PHLCouncil approved my resolution affirming the First Amendment rights of Philadelphians ahead of the election and in the midst of protests in response to the irrevocable loss of Walter Wallace Jr. at the hands of police. (1/6).
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On this historic day I am proud to stand with my fellow elected officials to celebrate the first ever International Palestinian Day of Solidarity in Philadelphia. May our Palestinian neighbors know peace, dignity, and justice in the weeks, months, and years to come.
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If the PPD were our schools, they would have long ago been threatened with closure. It is a false promise that increasing police presence makes communities safer. What our neighborhoods need is investment, resources, and opportunities.
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The majority of Philly's active community gardens are in high-poverty areas and Black and brown neighborhoods. These are life-giving resources, and they should be owned by the people who tend them. Stay tuned for more news about Philly's first Urban Agriculture Plan!
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At a time when thousands of Philly families face housing, food, & economic insecurity, the last thing we need is to increase the Police Budget by $14M. Philly needs a Black stimulus. Join us tomorrow, election day, at 2pm on 96.1FM or FB Live. RSVP:
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A Black stimulus means funding the basic necessities that have been withheld from Black communities for generations: affordable housing, quality public education, and a clear rejection to any increase to the police budget.
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Tomorrow at 12pm I’ll be standing in solidarity with staff, families, & @PFTLocal3 leaders at Steel Elementary for the Day of Action for Safe Schools. According to the District’s analysis, Steel has 0 classrooms with adequate ventilation. Join us to support a safe reopening! ✊🏿.
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Today, 5 bills that make up the EHPA passed-- my first piece of legislation!. Our constituents can't recover from the traumatic events of the past few months, and face the uncertainty of the months ahead, without stable housing. So proud of @CouncilmemberJG and @HelenGymAtLarge
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Here at Pride with tears in my eyes because my queer daughter took her first public picture with me last night. The love, the family, the strength in this community give me hope that it won’t be the last time. #pride
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Today, Public Health Emergency Leave passed in Philly! . This means that the people who have been caring for our communities, ensuring our public spaces are clean, and keeping our city running since mid-March will finally have access to the paid sick leave they deserve.
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We must fund critical public services like the USPS and support our postal workers!. Proud to stand with APWU, Communities and Postal Workers United, and @PhillyDSA at the rally to #SaveourUSPS today ✊🏾.
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Good morning from the Liacouras Center! Thank you to the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium for vaccinating thousands of our community members, and to everyone waiting outside for their patience. We have coffee and donuts until they’re gone!
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The PPD budget has increased at a rate that far surpasses other departments, but violence in our city remains rampant. Displays of excessive force against protestors, hostility toward journalists, and rallying behind vigilante groups further call into question the PPD budget.
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Black people are a priority. Young people are a priority. Our schools are a priority. And it’s time we acted like it. Thank you @Philly_RJ, @MelanatedEC, and everyone who was part of the Philly Educators and Students March for Black Lives today!
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Philadelphians are struggling against reduced unemployment benefits, rising gun violence, and the ongoing threat of COVID-19. It would be short-sighted and heartless to allow the eviction moratorium to expire without additional planning and preparation.
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It’s past time for @philamuseum to come to the table and negotiate in good faith with hardworking @PMA_Union members. #NoContractNoMatisse.
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Solidarity with educators and parents across the city demanding a safe school reopening. We must protect our teachers, students, and our neighborhoods. Prioritize our school communities, reopen only when it is safe. ✊🏿🌹
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It’s time @TempleUniv stopped retaliating against its workers and started meeting their demands at the bargaining table. As an alum, I was proud to join brave @TUGSA_6290 members on the picket line as they strike for a fair contract. One day longer one day stronger!
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We did it! When ordinary people come together, we can win big things for our communities. After years of organizing, we are protecting 91 parcels of land that are home to community gardens across our city.
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Reparations are a simple idea: Return what was stolen. For centuries, America stole labor and wealth from Black people through enslavement, Jim Crow, and redlining. Learn more about how Philadelphia can lead the way in returning what was stolen by tuning in this Friday!.
This Friday we will officially launch the application for the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force! Watch live on Channel 64 or join us in the City Council chambers to learn how YOU can be a part of this groundbreaking work!
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The people of our city deserve answers. We cannot move forward from this gross mishandling of one of the most important public health efforts in recent history until we understand what decisions led up to this and ensure that this never happens again.
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Today @PHLCouncil passed a historic resolution calling on the Fed to offer no-interest long-term loans to municipalities. It's unthinkable that we pay millions each year to line Wall Street pockets, when that money could be spent on needed city services.
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We’re sending our kids to schools filled with lead & asbestos. The city is facing economic uncertainty like we’ve never seen. Now is not the time to divert funds away from schools and incentivize gentrification. The abatement has got to go.
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Philly is a proud union town, and I'm heartened to hear that the workers of @PMA_Union have organized for collective power. Congratulations!.
WE WON! With 89% voting YES, the @philamuseum staff has chosen to form a union with @PHLafscmeDC47. Across all departments, WE ARE UNITED. #WalltoWall #UnionYes #UnionStrong
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Thank you, @PhillyMayor, for your work to bring evidence-based solutions to our overdose crisis. People are dying preventable deaths every day, and the old approaches aren’t working. We need new strategies to save lives.
I want to recognize @KendraPHL for her leadership and advocacy for the life-saving values of harm reduction. I commend the councilmember for standing up for what she believes in and being a partner in the ongoing effort to educate policymakers and the public on this issue.
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For decades, poor & working class communities of color have been left out of political processes. If we are serious about addressing systemic racism, the ongoing pandemic, economic uncertainty and severe inequality, then we need to start by giving these community members a voice.
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This historic announcement is the result of years of pressure from activists, students, teachers, and community members from across Philadelphia demanding that Penn use their exceptional wealth to make real investments in Philadelphia schools, but this is only a start. (thread).
A stunning $100m is coming #phled’s way to help remediate longstanding environmental problems. The gift, from UPenn, is the largest donation in the district’s history. Story, with @ssnyderinq and @oonagoodinsmith -
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This week in #LivingHistoryPHL, we are honoring Assata Shakur. And just like last time, I want to share a few things she did and a few things she said that inspire me in my work. 1/🧵
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A fair budget is not just an adjusted status quo. We must confront structural problems with structural changes. Changes that cut to the root causes of homelessness, gun violence, chemical dependency, environmental racism, and poverty. Policing and imprisonment are not solutions.
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It's not just the events on 676. It's the violence against protestors, the military occupation of a Black neighborhood, the bolstering of white vigilante groups. We need to reckon with how these events represent who we are. And then we need justice.
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As a Black woman from Nicetown, where one in three kids has asthma, including many of my own relatives, I know firsthand what the toll of environmental racism feels like. That’s why I’m proud to stand with @HelenGymAtLarge as a co-sponsor of the the Community Health Act.
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Abortion access now. Proud to stand with my 18-year-old daughter, Zion, my party, the @WorkingFamilies, and hundreds of other protestors in DC who showed up to fight for our fundamental rights.
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I’m tired of hearing that we don’t have money for affordable housing and homeless services, for our parks and rec centers, for libraries, for our schools. Philly has the money. It’s a question of if we have the courage to have everyone pay their fair share. #taxtherichPHL
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My office is hiring for two positions: Office Manager and Community Liaison. If you’re passionate about building a Philadelphia where poor and working class families can thrive, apply to join our team! .
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My statement in response to the decision by Municipal Court Judge Wendy L Pew to dismiss all charges against the ex-officer who killed Eddie Irizarry.
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We all deserve to travel safely through our city - whether we're walking, riding, or rolling. My statement with Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke:
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Today, @NicORourkePHL and I announced a City Council hearing on urban agriculture! Urban agriculture is food justice and racial justice. About 70% of active farms and gardens in our city are in high-poverty neighborhoods where a majority of residents are people of color.
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Philly’s 10-yr tax abatement puts development interests over the needs of Black and brown working families. It incentivizes the gentrification of our neighborhoods and lines the pockets of wealthy newcomers while communities of color are pushed out. (1/3).
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Our Philly crew came to say: end disparities between districts. Now.
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The People’s Kitchen has been working for weeks to keep poll workers and voters well-fed and supported. And today they were in the streets feeding the people who showed up for our democracy to #CountEveryVote! Grateful for the work and solidarity of @215Alliance.
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I stand with the members of the Police Reform Working Group against Pence's visit to the FOP today. Pence's words and actions have demonstrated that he does not think that Black lives matter. The FOP, in their decision to host him today, is signaling the same. Statement below.
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Today, a @PHLCouncil council committee voted unanimously to advance 5/6 bills that comprised the EHPA. This means that renters who are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 will have critical protections in place before they can be evicted. (thread)
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My statement on the devastating conflict in the Middle East.
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