iradiophilly | News - Phila. Officials Seek Removal of Columbus Statue; NJ, NY, CT Travel Advisory; Woman Attacked in Park

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Phila. Officials Seek Removal of Columbus Statue; NJ, NY, CT Travel Advisory; Woman Attacked in Park

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 06/24/20 4:27 pm | updated: 06/24/20 4:27 pm

Philadelphia city officials say that they will seek the removal of the statue of Christopher Columbus from Marconi Plaza in South Philadelphia 'in light of ongoing public safety concerns about the presence of armed individuals at Marconi Plaza and confrontations between those who support the statue and those opposed to it.' The City of Philadelphia will ask the Philadelphia Art Commission at a meeting on July 22 to remove the statue. The public will be able to submit written input online (see link below). The public will also have an opportunity to testify at the hearing. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, "In recent weeks, clashes between individuals who support the statue of Christopher Columbus in Marconi Plaza and those who are distressed by its existence have deteriorated - creating a concerning public safety situation that cannot be allowed to continue. We must find a way forward that allows Philadelphians to celebrate their heritage and culture while respecting the histories and circumstances of others that come from different backgrounds."

A South Philadelphia man has been arrested for attacking a protestor at Marconi Plaza on Tuesday night. 58-year-old John Mooney was charged with ethnic intimidation, simple assault, reckless endangering, and harassment. He punched Mel D. Cole, a Black photographer, in the face after telling him him to "Get out of here, boy" several times. It was caught on video. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement, "During widely documented altercations in the Fishtown neighborhood and at Marconi Plaza in South Philly, anti-racism protesters and journalists have been verbally and physically assaulted, in direct view of law enforcement officers who have - by the numbers - made far more arrests of protesters and journalists than they have of these bat-wielding, assaultive, and threatening individuals." He continued, "To the elected officials who are watching these mass demonstrations for justice, I say: Do what is right and deliver the accountability and the justice that the people demand. Protect journalists. Protect free speech. Stop protecting people who won't leave their bats at home."

SEE: https://mailchi.mp/phila.gov/city-announces-intentions-to-seek-the-removal-of-christopher-columbus-statue-in-marconi-plaza

SUBMIT THOUGHTS on STATUE: https://form.jotform.com/philagov/columbus-feedback

ART COMMISSION: https://www.phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-art-commission/

View this post on Instagram

I was sucker punched in the jaw by a racist white man while documenting a protest in South Philly at Maroni Plaza, where a Columbus statue stands. â£â£â£ â£â£ Photos and videos from some of the South Philly locals coming soon. â£ â£â£â£ â£ Update: Iâ€™m fine. His lil punch was as weak as he seems. Iâ€™m pressing chargers. I will not let him get away with it. â£ SHARE SHARE SHARE! â£ â£ #philly #phillyprotest #christophercolumbus #statue #racist #blacklivesmatter #blm #philadelphia #southphilly #phillycops #philadelphia #phillypd #phillies #eagles

A post shared by Mel D. Cole (@meldcole) on Jun 23, 2020 at 5:41pm PDT

The governors of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut are issuing a joint travel advisory for visitors from states that are currently experiencing high coronavirus COVID-19 infection rates. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the regional travel advisory on Wednesday, 6/24, along with New Jersey Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. It will go into effect at midnight tonight. Murphy said that the states' health departments will provide the details on how it will work. Visitors from states over a certain infection rate will have to immediately quarantine for 14-days upon entering the region. It also includes anyone who visits one of the states and then returns home to the NY, NJ, CT area. Those flagged states are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah and Texas.

Authorities are investigating after a woman was assaulted while on a trail in Wissahickon Valley Park on Monday evening, 6/22. It happened around 7:45 p.m. on the white trail along the Cresheim Creek south of McCallum Street. The attacker fled towards Cresheim Valley Road and Emlen Street. The attack was reported to the 14th Police District. The Friends of the Wissahickon issued an alert for the park. They recommend going with a buddy, not wearing head phones, varying your routine, not visiting during off peak times and letting someone know where you are going.