Why did they do that? (run away) from those innocent black children....that’s terrible.
I wasn't there so I dunno. But I can tell you that there is a lot of racial animosity simmering under the surface in places like Philly. White people moved out to the suburbs in droves from areas that used to be nice ethnic neighborhoods in North Philly and other places, as these places "went black" and turned into gang-infested ghettos.
So I'm sure this incident provoked those fears in the white folks there--whether it was merited or not.
And if these kids were not on their best behavior, that would've just served to reinforce old attitudes. Not saying anyone was right or wrong here--again I wasn't there--but I'm trying to explain why white folks in Philly and in the Northeast especially (which is still pretty white) are real touchy about this kinda thing.
It might have been different in some other area of the city that has been integrated for a long time.