Save The Meadows reacts to the “Community Conversation” on Jan. 26th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2023
CONTACT: savethefdrmeadows@gmail.com / Save The Meadows
Save The Meadows reacts to the “Community Conversation” on Jan. 26th
PHILADELPHIA - The Coalition to Save the Meadows is disheartened and frustrated by the failure of city leadership to meet community needs last week at what would have been the first public opportunity to provide input on the FDR Park Master Plan since it was released in 2019.
The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department and the Fairmount Park Conservancy, along with several elected officials, hosted a public meeting that was advertised as a “community conversation” about the master plan. But these organizations chose to hold this public meeting at a venue that was only later termed a religious space in order to justify severe restrictions on speech. These restrictions were selectively applied to those opposed to the plan. Hundreds of community members were not allowed to speak or even enter the facility, while supporters of the plan were allowed inside even after the venue had reached capacity. Worse, private security at the venue intimidated, and in at least two cases physically assaulted, members of the public who attempted to lawfully and non-disruptively exercise their free speech rights at this public, government-sponsored event.
What took place on January 26th at the Grand Yesha Ballroom in South Philadelphia was undemocratic, insulting, and disgraceful. The people of Philadelphia deserve better from our leaders.
After experiencing this failure last week in person and witnessing the media dialogue that followed, we want to set the record straight.
Before the meeting itself:
Save The Meadows organizers reached out to both Rep. Regina Young and State Senator Nikil Saval to thank them for offering an opportunity for public dialogue and to ask questions about the event format and agenda.
Despite assurances that there would be a public Q&A, organizers were later notified that this Q&A opportunity had been withdrawn.
Because the public would not be allowed to speak, people created signs as a means of peaceful expression of their questions & concerns.
Despite being conceived and advertised as a public ‘community conversation,’ only officials were allowed to speak inside the meeting.
Attendees, including children, were not allowed to bring in signs.
All media and all civilians were barred from any photography or filming at this public event.
Private security (bouncers) at the door selectively prevented people from getting into the building. Bouncers asked members of the public 'who are you with?' and, based on their answer, either allowed or refused them entry.
The choice to host this event at this specific location allowed the bouncers to eventually assert the room was 'at capacity.’ Yet they continued to let in sympathizers of the FDR Plan, some of whom were carrying sports trophies in hand, seemingly as a signal to allow them entry. Even when individuals left the Ballroom, the bouncers still wouldn’t allow in others.
News coverage estimates as many as two hundred people were not allowed in. Folks were understandably upset. They had been told by the Fairmount Parks Conservancy that “this Community Conversation event will have opportunities for learning about the plan and sharing feedback.” That wasn’t true — even for those who registered online in advance, showed up before the event even started, and patiently ‘trusted the process’ all evening.
To add insult to injury, there have been comments made on social media and via press release that are both inflammatory and divisive. Some of these comments sow misinformation, division, and false blame, and we were shocked to see them come from government sources.
Unnamed groups were accused of “busing in protestors” — but these allegations are unfounded and false. The only buses that brought people to the event were local SEPTA buses. That a government official would make and spread this false claim is alarming.
Event bouncers were aggressive and, at one point, forcibly shoved a civilian to the ground; they also ripped up and stole artwork from individuals, including signs made by children.
Only after entry restrictions had been imposed — after the meeting was well underway — did the meeting facilitators attempt to justify these new restrictions by stating that the meeting was taking place in a sacred space.
This is a serious affront to the freedom of speech — if the Ballroom that was rented is a sacred place where free speech must be restricted, then the Parks Department (a government entity) and the Conservancy (a government-funded entity) should not have chosen this location for a public meeting and a “community conversation.”
One representative continually makes a point of noting that she only serves those in her district; yet, we know all too well that the climate crisis does not respect or abide by electoral districts. Furthermore, FDR Park and The Meadows serve individuals far beyond their boundaries, including those across all districts in Philadelphia (and beyond).
As an organization built around different backgrounds — including race, religion, age, and socio-economic status — Save The Meadows will always work to understand, include, and amplify the voices of the silenced and the oppressed. We welcome the opportunity for dialogue that incorporates different stories, diverse voices, and distinct perspectives — readily. But this type of dialogue was exactly what was missing from this “community conversation.”
We reject any attempts to sow mistrust or division in what should be an inclusive process open to all. Not allowing voices is sowing division. Spreading unfounded rumors in press statements is sowing mistrust. Making sweeping generalizations about individuals and organizations is hurtful to people - people whom elected officials are charged with serving. Focusing on the things that divide us compromises our collective capacity to engage in the pursuit of justice for people and their public land. True leaders unite and connect their people, in spite of different backgrounds, creeds, and beliefs. Trust is built on transparency and two-way dialogue. If the community is asked to trust the process, it should be expected that trust is a two-way street.
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Save the Meadows is a campaign of everyday people to protect FDR Park’s Meadows, one of the largest forests in Philadelphia, accessible to all residents by foot, public transportation, and bike.
HOW TO HELP!
Were YOU present and blocked from entering, filming, or speaking? Please reach out to us about this blatant violation of your rights at a public meeting.
Call your elected officials and share your opinion about the future of the Meadows, or your thoughts about this public meeting.
