Trump in Philly: Presidential Candidate’s Visit to People for People Charter School Draws Protests
Building a wall is a major point of emphasis in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, so it only made sense that a wall was one of the prominent images at the Philadelphia Coalition for Real Justice’s protest on Friday.
Outside the People for People Charter School (800 N. Broad St.), Coalition protesters stood unfurling a banner painted to resemble a brick wall to symbolize their opposition to Trump’s presence in the city that day.
As one protester at the microphone explained, “This wall is for Trump.”
“We are tired of being incriminated and we are tired of racism,” she added. “This is the wall we’re building to tell him to stay out.”
The controversial GOP presidential nominee held a private meeting at the People for People Charter School at 2PM on Friday, September 2nd in an effort to reach out to African-American voters. Trump was invited and hosted by Rev. Herb Lusk II who heads Greater Exodus Baptist Church, which is affiliated with the charter school.
Protesters were critical of Trump for holding a private meeting with registered Republicans, such as Lusk II, who already support him and have pledged their vote to the GOP candidate.
Local activist Paula Peebles had some choice words for Trump’s visit at the protest on Friday.
“Shame on the pastor of the church for allowing him to come,” Peebles said. “We’re sending the message that we’re shutting Trump down.”
Trump was not the first Republican presidential nominee to be hosted by Lusk II. In 2000, George W. Bush was hosted by Lusk II at his church where the Trump event was originally scheduled to be.
Peebles said Bush “got a pass” then, but in reference to Trump said, “you do not get a pass for being an open racist. He’s sneaking into North Philadelphia like the rat he is. We will shut him down.”
Local resident Diane Jones, who has lived in the neighborhood all her life, has been registered to vote since she was 18. According to Jones, she knows a thing or two about politics and will not stand for Trump being invited to the community.
“It’s a smack in the face to African-Americans,” Jones said. “He wants to make America great, but American is already great,” Jones said. “I don’t know how he thinks he’ll make it great with his racist-behind-self.”
Like many of Trump’s critics, Jones did not believe that Trump was speaking with people who represented all African-Americans at his private meeting. She said the Reverend and other community leaders were not speaking to Trump about anything that benefits her as an African-American woman.
“If you want to talk to us, talk to people like me who’s been working all my life,” Jones said. “Why would we pick him for president? He can take his racist butt back to New York.”
Jones said of the pastor’s meeting with Trump, “They do not represent all of us.”
Criticism wasn’t reserved for just the GOP candidate. Coalition activist Cornelius Moody was also critical of the presence of the Philadelphia Police Department because he said they were being paid that day to protect Trump, not the protestors.
“I can’t help but point out that in a city that’s supposed to be about brotherly love and sisterly affection, we still seem to have a police force that… is obligated to be out here today to protect Donald Trump. Our tax dollars are paying the Philadelphia Police Department to protect Donald Trump.”
Also in attendance at the protest was former third-party presidential candidate Ed O’Donnell who believes that Hillary Clinton and Trump are not focusing on the right issues in this election.
O’Donnell’s platform focuses on no wars, a guaranteed job at $40,000 to $50,000 yearly for all Americans and mental health courses in all schools. He also believes in a non-violent foreign policy based on feeding, clothing, educating, housing and employing third-world peoples.
A man in a suit named Jerry Lambert stood across the street from the action holding a sign reading “I love walls” and “Democrat for Trump.” He occasionally booed the protestors mockingly.
Protesters also painted a sign that read, “Slaves made America great” as a criticism of Trump’s catchphrase “Make America Great Again.”
Activist Melissa Robins responded to Trump’s use of the term “The Blacks” when referring to African-American voters.
“I’m more than a black. I’m descended from slaves who built this country,” Robins said.
There were no reports of arrests at the protest. The Trump Campaign held a similar event at and African-American church in Detroit on Saturday. •