Community Victories

Like the progression of any disease making its hearty way through stages of infection and incubation before being treated and eventually annihilated, things have to get worse before they can get better. Such is the story of casinos.

PHILADELPHIA'S BALLOT BOX

They expected us to give up when they threatened our vote. Instead, we will implement the most ambitious voting campaign in recent Philadelphia history.

If the referendum is taken off the ballot, we will hold our own election. We will set up tables at polling locations on May 15th so that people can vote on ballot question #1.

We call it: Philadelphia's ballot box.

People's Hurricane Relief Fund makes a breakthrough on price gouging and tenants rights in New Orleans! How did they do it?

Breaking news: City Clerk and City Solicitor Accept Our Petitions & Council President introduces our referendum

As reported in today's Philadelphia Inquirer: "City Council members will have to decide whether voters in the May primary will be able to ban casinos from within 1,500 feet of any home, school, or church, a measure that could unravel slot plans for Philadelphia.

URGENT URGENT URGENT

You are invited to a meeting to build opposition to a dangerous bill recently introduced by Darrell Clarke (060902) that affects all communities in the city. There will be a hearing on February 7th, unless we act now. (We also need to oppose a companion bill, #060901.)

WHO's Invited: Community activists of all political persuasions from around the city

WHERE: Songhai City Cultural Center, 3117 Master Street, 215-769-3333

WHEN: Thursday, January 25, 2007, from 6:00 PM thru 7:30 PM

-From the December Newsletter of the African-American Business and Residents Association in Brewerytown

At a time when the city and wealthy developers are creating conditions for the removal of current residents from this historic corner of North Philadelphia, a 40-year Brewerytown resident has saved his home from foreclosure. This is the story of how he was victimized, how he survived, and how you can protect your home.

A Quiet Victory over Eminent Domain

(this article taken from the most recent edition of the newsletter of the African American Business and Residents Association in Brewerytown)

Redevelopment Authority reverses seizure of Songhai City Cultural Center at 3117-27 Master Street after intense public pressure and an uncertain future in Commonwealth Court.

On Friday, July 28, 2006, the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia (RDA) signed an agreement to withdraw the eminent domain taking of 3117-27 Master Street, returning the property to its former owner, Al Alston, who is President of Brewerytown' African-American Business & Residents Association (AABRA). This effectively ends one of city' most bitterly contested and controversial eminent domain cases. AABRA' use of the facility for cultural enrichment, career training for residents, business and job creation, community meetings and disaster preparedness is now uncontested.