Latest news with #CenterCity
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
No Kings protest: Philly police, organizers plan security ahead of rally
The Brief The No Kings protest starts at noon at Love Park before heading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. Participants are protesting Trump administration policies. Philadelphia police say they will be safeguarding public safety as with all demonstrations. CENTER CITY - Saturday tens of thousands are expected to turn out in Philadelphia, which is holding the so-called flagship No Kings demonstration against Donald Trump administration policies. What we know The No Kings protest will organize at Love Park at noon. They will have banners, speakers and supporters lining up to begin marching around 12:15 and will head to the Philly art museum for the main event. They are protesting policies by the Trump administration. What they're saying "It should be very peaceful. Non-violent," said Vicki Miller. The city is preparing for a big day Saturday when massive crowds are expected in the city for the No Kings protest. "We've given people a lot of peacekeeper training and information so that if there's some kind of nonsense they know what to do and we expect that that's going to be just fine," said Miller who is with the group Indivisible Philadelphia. It is the main organizer for the protest which is being held to take a stance against policies by the Trump administration. "So many people are showing up to say we don't have kings and he's not going to be a king and we are against what he is doing in Washington," said Miller. She says they will have 100 or so volunteer marshals who will be in charge of their safety. "They have had many, many professional training in peacekeeping and everything a marshal does. They will be wearing yellow vests. Bright yellow vests," she said. She expects up to 60,000 people to join them to march to the art museum for the main event. Big picture view Here's part of what Philadelphia Police said in a statement this week ahead of the events taking place: "As with all demonstrations, our priority is to facilitate peaceful protest, prevent violence or disorder, and protect the rights of all residents, businesses, and participants. we train our officers accordingly and deploy resources proportionate to the potential needs of the event." "If people show up and they are deliberately disruptive, we'll probably have to do something about that. Maybe the marshals will calm them down. We will have to see what we do. If people break the law I think they will probably have to answer to the police," said Miller. The protest is expected to end by 3:30. By the numbers Up to 60,000 people are expected to attend the No Kings protest in Philly. 2,000 similar protests will happen around the country. The Source Information for this article was provided by the Philadelphia Police Department and Indivisible Philadelphia.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
No Kings protest: Philly businesses prepare for thousands expected to attend
The Brief Businesses in Center City are cautiously optimistic and planning for large crowds from the "No Kings Rally" on Saturday. A couple retailers in Rittenhouse Square are taking heightened precautions and boarded up their windows. The organizer of the rally said the event will be energized, joyous and peaceful. CENTER CITY - Thousands are expected to attend the No Kings rally in Philadelphia. Some local shops are optimistic that the large influx of people could help boost their businesses, while other retailers in Rittenhouse Square boarded up their windows on Friday in advance of Saturday's planned protest. What we know Hundreds of rallies called the "No Kings Protest" are scheduled across the country this Saturday and the flagship event is happening in Philadelphia. Organizers said the event will voice opposition against Trump administration policies. The rallies coincide with the President's birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary celebration. Vicki Miller is the group leader of Indivisible Philadelphia, a grassroots and progressive organization. Miller is the lead organizer of the No Kings Rally in Philadelphia and said she expects up to 60,000 in attendance. Timeline The rally will meet around 12 p.m. at Love Park then march down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art where public speakers will address the crowds. "We have marshals who are going to keep people safe. It should be very peaceful, nonviolent, it should go very well," said Miller. "We've never had any problem here before in any of our rallies and we expect the same tomorrow." Miller said organizers have had big meetings with every city agency involved including the Office of Emergency Management, the fire department, SEPTA and police. What's next Melissa Zielinski is the general manager of Walnut Garden, an outdoor beer garden on Chestnut Street. She said there is concern over Saturday's event going sideways, but said they will play it minute-by-minute. "We are going to be open. We open at 12 tomorrow and will just play it by ear. The police have been fantastic with making sure we feel safe, but at any time if we feel as though our staff is not safe then we'll definitely close up shop," said Zielinski.
CBS News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Thousands expected in Philadelphia for "No Kings" protest Saturday against Trump administration
Thousands of demonstrators are expected to flood Center City Saturday for the national "No Kings" protest, a large-scale response to recent actions by the Trump administration. Organizers said they believe Philadelphia's demonstration will be among the largest in the country. The march is set to begin at LOVE Park and will end on the steps of the Art Museum, where a large stage and security fencing were already in place Friday afternoon. CBS News Philadelphia was the only news outlet on the ground as around two dozen organizers walked the planned route from LOVE Park to the parkway. They said they are preparing for a peaceful but powerful show of unity and protest. Josh Sanders. "People have been warned and trained to stay peaceful. We have the right to do this under the First Amendment, and in fact, the City of Philadelphia is helping us," said Meg Berlin of Indivisible Philadelphia, one of the grassroots groups behind the demonstration. Philadelphia police said it's "all hands on deck" with large crowds expected to gather by 10 a.m. Saturday. "Our number one priority is making sure that all of these events, especially this one, is well-organized and peaceful," said Dani Negrete, one of the lead organizers. "We've been really working hard to make sure all of our attendees, all our hosts, all of our organizers know why they're here." The protest comes amid a wave of nationwide demonstrations and heightened tensions, as the Trump administration pushes forward with mass deportation efforts. In Los Angeles, National Guard troops and Marines have been deployed in response to civil unrest. "Here in Philadelphia, we're going to have a clear message that rings out across the world about the importance of this moment and the importance of standing up while our right to do that is under threat," Negrete said. CBS News Philadelphia. Berlin said she hopes the demonstration offers a moment of unity and resolve at a time when the country feels deeply divided. "I hope that it will be, in some ways, joyful that people get together, see what we're doing, and say, 'Yes, that's what I want,'" she said. A source close to the mayor's office told CBS News Philadelphia that preparations are "significant and substantial." City officials are warning of major traffic delays around the protest area.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
LGBTQ+ young people in Philadelphia find a home and a community at The Attic Youth Center
For LGBTQ youth in Philadelphia, The Attic offers a safe haven and a community For LGBTQ youth in Philadelphia, The Attic offers a safe haven and a community For LGBTQ youth in Philadelphia, The Attic offers a safe haven and a community Tucked away in the heart of Center City Philadelphia is a space that has meant safety, support and self-discovery for LGBTQ+ youth for more than three decades. Since its founding in 1993, The Attic Youth Center has evolved from an eight-week pilot program into a full-service organization that now serves hundreds of young people each year. "What started as an eight-week pilot, really a support group, has grown now into this full-service organization where we get to serve hundreds of youth every year," said Jasper Liem, executive director of The Attic. On any given afternoon, 30 to 50 LGBTQ+ youth find a home at The Attic through after-school programs that offer counseling, life skills workshops and hot meals, all free of charge. "For queer young folk, it's essential to have this kind of community support," Liem said. That support is more critical than ever. LGBTQ+ youth, especially transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, face growing challenges and increased hostility, both socially and politically. "A lot of us, we come out and we're in families of origin that are not supportive, or they don't know what it's like to live this life," Liem said. "There's so much misinformation and lies, especially right now, especially around trans and gender queer things." According to The Trevor Project, environments that are supportive and affirming can be life-saving. For many youth at The Attic, the center becomes more than a resource — it becomes a chosen family. "Having chosen family means having mentorship," said one young adult at the center. "I want them to be safe," Liem said. "I want them to be happy. I want what any adult would want for a young person in their community."
CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Multiple people detained at anti-ICE protest in Philadelphia
Multiple protesters were detained Tuesday as dozens of people gathered in Center City to rally against the Trump administration's Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Philadelphia. Dozens of people gathered at 4 p.m. to protest ICE at the Federal Detention Center at 7th and Arch streets. Chopper 3 was over the scene and caught protesters blocking traffic, causing gridlock in the area. The protesters chanted and held signs up and down Center City streets against ICE enforcement. CBS News Philadelphia Protests against ICE raids have popped up all over the United States following the protests in Los Angeles that started last Friday and prompted President Trump to mobilize the National Guard and Marines. This is a developing story and will be updated.
