“Die-in” At South Street Police Station Yesterday; Protest Planned Tonight After Eagles Game

By Dustin Slaughter, with reporting by Kenneth Lipp 

Last night about a dozen protesters gathered in the rain across the street from the Philadelphia Police substation on South Street, before marching around the block and stopping and laying in the sidewalk in front of the police station for 4 minute, 30 second “die-in.” The group then marched down South Street and held another 4 and-a-half minute demonstration at 4th Street, and dispersed shortly after.

The die-in outside the substation was conceived by a 31 year-old retail events coordinator – and first time organizer – named Jessica, and all on her phone while at work, no less. Delayed by work, she missed the very event she organized last night.

She asked that her last name not be used, and that her photo not be taken.

“He could be any of them,” Jessica told The Declaration, referring to her younger and older brothers and how they could be victims of an officer-involved shooting – which is why she organized the die-in.

She added that her older brother was afraid to come out and protest last night, principally “because of the police.”

“I’m not afraid, though. I’m not afraid.”

She intends to organize future actions, and hopes her work schedule won’t get in the way of her participating.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2JQNdTh0L8]

Demonstrations are expected to continue throughout the country today over community outrage at non-indictments against the police officer who killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO in August, as well as the failure of a New York City grand jury to indict any NYPD officers in the death of Eric Garner.

Tonight at 7 protesters plan to hold yet another die-in, expressing their intent to block traffic, after the Eagles game. The Declaration  will be on scene.