Posted on 04/30/2015 5:00:57 PM PDT by markomalley
A protest in response to recent events in Baltimore moved from Philadelphia's City Hall into Rittenhouse Square and eventually to the roads above the Vine Street Expressway, causing traffic troubles along the way.
The peaceful demonstration at Dilworth Plaza began to wrap up shortly before 6 p.m. as protesters headed onto city streets -- one group group marched on the streets around City Hall then down Broad Street in the other direction before turning onto Locust Street, winding around Rittenhouse Square and onto Walnut Street where they surrounded a police cruiser before moving along. Pa. State Troopers to Assist in Baltimore Amid Protests There were some verbal arguments during the march but nothing physical.
Around 7:15 p.m. the groups walked hand in hand down 16th Street toward the Vine Street Expressway. Police then blocked the I-676 ramps to 15th Street as some protesters sat down in the intersection.
A smaller group walked up Broad Street toward North Philly.
Earlier, dozens of protesters marched along Chestnut Street in University City toward Center City shortly after 4 p.m. Philadelphia Police followed the peaceful protest as it marched. At the same time, the crowd began to grow at Dilworth Plaza -- near City Hall.
As of 5 p.m. the majority of the rally remained contained at Dilworth Plaza with police estimating 600 to 800 demonstrators taking part.
The protest is one of many happening nationwide in response to the death of Freddie Gray, who suffered spinal injuries while in Baltimore Police custody following his April 12 arrest. Gray died a week later. Some officials warned commuters to plan their evening commute as the large crowd could mess with travel around City Hall and throughout Center City but for the most part things continued to move as normal.
SEPTA officials did not announce any planned detours due to the protest, but acknowledged that they would keep an eye on the proceedings and make adjustments to mass transit schedules if necessary.
SEPTA reported several bus routes with delays in Center City.
Commuters planning on driving through Center City should avoid Market Street and Broad Street near City Hall and expect congestion on other nearby roadways. Posts on social media indicate the protesters plan to march slowly north on Broad Street -- meaning commuters heading home from the city's Francisville/Fairmount and Poplar neighborhoods may experience delays. Also expect delays around Rittenhouse Square.
For commuters looking to avoid the crowds, staying completely clear of the area is likely the best option. Police maintained peaceful boundaries during the demonstration. At least one Philadelphia school announced an early dismissal so students could get home safely.
Scanner, cops are calling for assistance.
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Local west-coast news showing cops being assaulted..Lots of people in the streets...
That area (Vine Street Expressway/676) is hell to get through on any normal day, even at non-rush-hour — sitting down and blocking it is supposed to teach the people in traffic what? exactly?
I have to work in this area at times and if I was stuck because of something this idiotic, it sure wouldn’t make me sympathetic to the cause, just the opposite in fact!
Good grief.
How can they miss the NFL Draft?
I’m traveling to Philly tomorrow. I will be staying at the Crowne Plaza West and going to the National Catholic Bioethics Center located relatively close to that. Am I going to be able to avoid this BS?
Good Lord. I just left the area this morning as I was at a business convention for 3 days. Traffic is bad enough and this must be a nightmare.
I wonder if there will be a disruption of the Broad Street Run this weekend.
Stay safe, be mindful of the details of your surroundings.
You should be okay, as long as they stay over toward Logan Square & the Art Museum — you’ll probably use Rt. 1 to get where you need to go. Might be a bit of a pain getting in if you’re coming from the airport, but it usually is a pain anyway :)
Philly Is Baltimore’ Protest Blocks Traffic in Center City, Turns Rowdy
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Protest-City-Hall-Evening-Transit-301853251.html
Geesh. Dispatcher is reading the 1st Amendment?
I ride my bike to and from work there every day. i can see them trying to target it as a major outflow to the suburbs. Went trough at 5:00 today didn’t see a thing. Some companies let people go home early. get your kids,etc. Dilworth “Park” was empty from the slice just south of market what i could see from my office. kept expecting to see people but there were nobody at 5:00 did see some older kids semi adults going toward the area wanting to check it out. One kid tried to talk his friends out of going over but he reluctantly followed.
you are in the burbs. on city line off 76 near all the local tv stations. stay north and west don’t go south.
They typically need to sleep off their malt liquor hangovers until around noon or so.
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