Twenty-nine days ago, Occupy Philadelphia pitched its first tent in Dilworth Plaza. Since then, the encampment has grown to hundreds of tents.
I walk through the encampment a couple of times a week. The site has taken on the look, sounds and smells of a homeless shelter.
The homeless have long occupied the plaza, where a renovation is scheduled to begin this month. In a letter to the “City of Philadelphia,” Occupiers are mulling over whether they will move:
Finally, let us address the most critical issue, our end date. When our legal team submitted a permit application there was clearly no stipulated end date. However, when our permit was issued, to our surprise, it stated that our end would coincide with new construction at City Hall in November. Both the application and permit are available online for all to see.In the poorest big city in the country, we believe that it is morally bankrupt to consider spending $50 million on the redevelopment of Dilworth Plaza. Who made that decision? To whom are Paul Levy and his Center City District accountable? We believe that money can be better spent on education, healthcare, and housing for the many in this city who are desperately in need. The people of Philadelphia did not vote for an ice-skating rink and more coffee shops. We refuse to allow the federal government, unaccountable local institutions, and the wealthiest 1% to privatize our city’s public spaces and control decisions that affect us all. We hope to discuss this matter with union workers whose jobs are affected by this project. We support workers’ rights, and condemn the city’s record of attacking workers. Union workers are within our ranks, and we know it is critical to have their input, participation, and support before finalizing our decision about whether to relocate.
Enough already! The people of Philadelphia did not vote for this leaderless “movement” to unilaterally upend the City’s plans.
Mayor Michael Nutter wants Occupiers to cooperate. But if they don’t, Nutter should give them an ultimatum: You can move or be moved. Either way, you “gotta move out of this neighborhood.”
