Philly

Police impunity in the news

Askia’s beating and the ensuing protests took place in the shadow of a number of other highly publicized moments of State violence.

A little over a year ago, the Daily News reporters broke a story on a series of robberies by a gang of cops, who entered Dominican corner stores, flashed their badges and subsequently cut cables to security cameras before making off with the contents of the cash register.

Police thief Joseph Sulpizio on the Narcotics Strike Force made the front page of the Daily News on December 10th, in a report which cited numerous accounts of the cop robbing homes and individuals in Kensington. After numerous accounts of money being stolen by Sulpizio were reported to the police, he was put under investigation by Internal Affairs only to be released back onto the streets after being interviewed. Instead of charging him with theft (the original charge) Sulpizio was charged with “neglect of duty” for not following proper procedure when detaining someone he had robbed. Sulpizio drives a cruiser marked N142.

West Philly Uprising


On September 3rd police approached Askia Sabur in the doorway of a Chinese Restaurant at 55th and Landsdown where he was waiting for food. Police threw Askia to the ground and subjected him to a storm of violence. For nearly 3 minutes, 6 cops swung down on him with clubs, cracking his skull and breaking his arm in the process. A video recorded from a cell phone shows Askia on the ground, handcuffed by one hand, blows raining down with no indication he was even physically resisting the abuse, let alone attempting to fight off the cops. One cop in an apparent frenzy of rage and violence pulled his gun and pointed it at individuals in the crowd including the person filming. Police then did what they always do after sending someone to the hospital: they pressed charges. For being a victim of the beatdown, Askia was charged with assault on an officer as well as attempted robbery (of the cops baton).

PEOPLE WITH AIDS NEED HOMES, NOT EXCUSES

MAYOR NUTTER CLAIMS HE “CAN’T COMMIT” TO ACT UP’S PLAN TO “SAVE LIVES, SAVE MONEY” BY ENDING AIDS HOUSING WAIT LIST;
AIDS ACTIVISTS DIE-IN TO PROTEST MAYOR’S INACTION

Philadelphia – Members of AIDS activist groups ACT UP Philadelphia and Proyecto Sol, along with graduate students in the University of Pennsylvania’s Urban Studies Program and medical school, met with Mayor Michael Nutter on Monday, November 8th. Readers of The defenestrator will recall that ACT UP has been engaged in a long campaign to ensure housing for people with AIDS in Philadelphia and have been repeatedly denied the opportunity to even meet with Mayor Nutter. (see “Over our dead bodies,” fall 2010).

Strauss Group Revises Website as Hummus Boycott Campaigns Spread to Campuses

Strauss Group, the Israeli company that co-owns the Sabra Hummus brand, softened language on its website relating to its support of the Israeli Defense Force elite unit, the Golani Brigade.  The Jerusalem Post reported last week that Strauss support for Golani had been deleted entirely from its English site (but kept up in Hebrew) in response to pressure from the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement (http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=195963).    This stirred up a maelstrom of controversy for Strauss, with boycott threats from Zionists in and out of Israel, furious that Israel’s second largest food and beverage company would bow to the global BDS movement.

Philly Casino Update: SugarHouse Opens, Crime Goes Up, Asians Wanted

asians wantedIt's finally happened. In September, SugarHouse Casino opened its doors in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia to the dismay and continuing protests of community activists.

Last year, 14 demonstrators from Casino-Free Philadelphia were arrested for blocking access to the construction site. The group has continued to hold vigils up until the casino's opening day. Though it has now been open just three months, there have already been reports of violent casino-related crimes. In November, three women were robbed as they left the SugarHouse parking lot. One of them was treated at the hospital for injuries from being pistol-whipped in the head.

Philly Radical History: Emma Goldman and Free Speech in Philadelphia

emmaIn September 1909, Emma Goldman, a well-known anarchist orator, traveled to Philadelphia to deliver a speech entitled "Anarchism: What it Really Means" at the Odd Fellow's Temple. City officials announced their plans to prevent her from speaking, following the decade’s increasingly-organized government suppression of free expression by anarchist and other radicals. Additionally, Philly's own "Broad Street Riot" of 1907, when immigrant workers and anarchists marched on City Hall, was still fresh in the public's memory.

200 Students Come Together for Nonviolent Schools

PSU

On Tuesday, November 9th, the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools hosted the Youth Power Summit. Over 200 students from 45 schools came together for a day of youth led workshops and dialogues.

"Change Of Heart" Talk and Book Signing

Saturday, December 4th, 7:30pm

The A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave, West Philly

Free—donations appreciated

Get your copy of Change of Heart!

2nd Thursday Festival of Old & New

Join us at The A-Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave in West Philly  on Thursday, October 14th to celebrate the old and the new

5pm Make Something Old into Something New at the Trashy Booty Dollar Stroll. Come say hello to Tim and check out his trashy booty during the Baltimore Ave Dollar Stroll. He’ll have lots of old things that can become new to you for just $1

5pm-7ish Something Old, Something New Take this opportunity to check out the amazing art of Matthew Green—his Something Old, Something New show closes on Oct 17th, and you don’t want to miss it!

Mantras*Mudras*Meditations

Saturday, Oct 9, 1p-3p *mantras*mudras* meditation*

Please join us as we explore ancient healing practices to experience inner peace and deep relaxation. These techniques may help with coping in stressful environments, managing work related stress as well as building a strong spiritual foundation.

Meditation will help with: Observing Thoughts Letting Them Go, Deepening The Silence, The Breath & Observing The Body, Object As Focal Point, Falling Through Layers Into Stillness, Relaxing From Toe To Head

Syndicate content