malcolmxpark.org

Thousands marched up and down 52nd Street last night from Spruce to Baltimore Ave, gathering at 52nd and Spruce outside Big George’s Stop ‘n’ Dine.  Nothing but excitement and pure joy!  

Shortly after the announcement that Senator Barack Obama had clinched victory in the election, neighbors took to the streets with pots and pans, signs, and cameras, marching and chanting up and down 52nd Street.  Here they gathered at 52nd and Spruce outside of Big George’s Stop ‘n’ Dine: 

This was the scene at about 8am this morning outside the Lodge at 51st and Spruce.  

I was told that the line, at one point, stretched all the way down the block and around the corner onto 51st Street.  

Lots of new voters were out, holding their registration materials and drivers licenses.  I got in line at almost exactly 7am and was back home a little after 9am.  Everyone was in good spirits and exceedingly patient. 

Monday, October 20th, 6 – 7:30pm

Citizens’ Assembly on Park Reform With Mayor Nutter

at Friends Select School, 1651 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

You can find out more about parks reform at the Parks Alliance website. The November 4th ballot question asks whether we want to amend the city charter to combine the recreation department and the Fairmount Park Commission into a single entity.  I urge you to read further, but the bottom line is that you want to vote YES.

Okay, I promise this is not a joke about referees:

The Eagles Eye Mobile stopped in at Huey Elementary at 52nd and Pine last week:

The Eye Mobile is a project of the Eagles Youth Partnership that provides vision care for uninsured and underinsured children who fail their state-mandated vision-screening.  Check out this nice video showing the mobile in action:

The Stanford Social Innovation Review has an interesting article on the history of the Eye Mobile and the challenge of providing health care services to underprivileged children.  It’s a quick read.

Not In Our Name impeachment rally.  Participants are still setting up tables and things have not gotten under way just yet:

From Philly IMC:

On October 18, plan to spend an educational and enlightening day,
while enjoying the fall weather . . .

In Malcolm X park (52nd and Pine), from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, more than 35 local and National organizations are coming together to say goodbye and good riddance to Bush/Cheney. Each organization will have an area in which to either expose and discuss the crimes of Bush/Cheney or make a case for the need for an 11th hour impeachment.

You will learn of how you can make a difference even at this late date.
To this, add food, music, and rousing speeches. The place to be on
October 18 is Malcolm X park for “Not in Our Name”.
For more information call Sue O’Connell at 856-873-3260 or email
ProgressiveDemocracySoJersey@gmail.com
Sponsored by PDA/DFA Progressive Democracy South Jersey and World
Can’t Wait (Philadelphia Chapter).

Lot of great Obama rally videos out there, but since he gives Malcolm X Park a cameo, let’s go to HowardFair for 52nd Street coverage:

This one’s not great for quality, but it’s pretty good for visceral excitement:

It’s Our City had coverage from Obama’s other stops during the day as well.

Here are some shots of the crowd gathered for the rally on 52nd Street.  I was told by a campaign volunteer that they expect him about 1pm.

Barack Obama will be at 52nd and Locust today in West Philadelphia .  The event starts at 11am and is sure to draw a giant crowd!