COUNCILMEMBERS DENOUNCE RECENT U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT DETAINMENTS OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER
Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Rue landau (At Large), Kendra Brooks (At-Large) and Nicolas O’Rourke (At-Large) recently issued statements denouncing a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainments outside Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice Center.
In a video posted by Juntos of the July 16 incident, an ICE agent can be seen pinning a man to the ground as a woman screams, worried the man couldn’t breathe.
ICE agents’ presence in Philadelphia courthouses has raised questions among advocacy groups about the future of the city’s so-called sanctuary city policies and has rattled community members.
Joint statement from Councilmembers Gauthier and Landau
Joint statement issued by Councilmembers Brooks and O’Rourke
Councilmember Gauthier also participated in a rally on July 18 organized by Juntos and Asian Americans United outside the Criminal Justice Center to show both the federal and local government that ICE is not welcome in Philadelphia, particularly in courthouses.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada’s (7th District) office recently created a Resources, Guidelines & Actions for Immigrant Families booklet that details that everyone – regardless of immigration status – has rights in this country. For a link to the booklet in English, click here.
Hard copies of the book in English and Spanish are available in Councilmember Lozada’s office, and they can be reached at (215) 686-3449.
COLUMBUS, OHIO CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANNON HARDIN VISITED PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO OUR CITY
Columbus, Ohio City Council President Shannon Hardin was in Philadelphia recently to attend Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.’s national convention in Center City. An estimated 7,000 members gathered at the Philadelphia Marriott in Center City for the fraternity’s 98th general and 119th anniversary convention, with members coming from as far away as Japan and Africa to attend.
Hardin and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At-Large) are longtime friends, and Thomas gave President Harding a tour of Council’s Caucus Room and Caucus Chambers.
Thomas said he and Hardin met more than 10 years ago at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. before both men became elected officials.
Columbus is Ohio’s capital city for Ohio. Columbus City Council consists of nine members representing more than 900,000 residents and are elected to serve a four-year term.
Thomas, his team and Pennsylvania State Representative Andre Carroll (201st Pennsylvania State House District) recently visited Baltimore to meet with Mayor Brandon Scott and members of their City Council to learn about the city’s recent successes and what could be implemented in Philadelphia.
MAJORITY LEADER KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON ALSO WELCOMED THE ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY TO PHILADELPHIA
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large) visited the Pennsylvania Convention Center to greet the members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. during their national convention. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is the oldest intercollegiate historically African American fraternity. It was initially a literary and social studies club organized during the 1905–1906 school year at Cornell University before evolving into a fraternity with a founding date of December 4, 1906. The fraternity has over 290,000 members and has been open to men of all races since 1945.
Gilmore Richardson is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a historically African American sorority.
Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson’s office can be reached at (215) 686-0454
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS COMING UP AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA IS HERE TO HELP AND THE FIRST EVENT IS JULY 28
The School District of Philadelphia’s Back-to-School Bus Tour is rolling through our neighborhoods!
Events are taking place from July 28 through August 15 from 10 am to 2 p.m. each day. For more information, go to philasd.org/ringthebell
The first day of school for Philadelphia public school students in the 2025-2026 academic year is Monday, August 25.
COUNCILMEMBER CINDY BASS CONTINUES HER JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL CONCERT SERIES AND OLDIES IN THE PARK THIS SUMMER
Councilmember Cindy Bass (8th District) has had a great Jazz, Funk and Soul Concert and Oldies in the Park series this summer. Attend the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Night Jazz, Funk and Soul Concert featuring the UGO Funk & Soul Ensemble on July 29th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Morris Estate Recreation Center, 1610 West Chelten Ave. The event will be hosted by WDAS-FM Radio Personality Patty Jackson.
The Oldies in The Park series is held every Wednesday until August 27 at Vernon Park, 5800 Germantown Avenue. Bring your lawn chair for both the Jazz, Funk and Soul Concerts and Oldies In the Park series.
For more information, contact Bass’ office at (215) 686-3424.
COUNCILMEMBER KENDRA BROOKS WILL HOST ANNUAL AUTISM PLAYDATE ON AUGUST 2
Councilmember Kendra Books (At-Large) will host the 8th Annual Autism Playdate on Saturday, August 5 from 1 pm to 5 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Playground, 3500 Reservoir Drive (near 33rd Street and North Oxford Street) in North Philadelphia.
Last day to register is July 25, 2025 for this year’s Autism Playdate at Smith Memorial Playground.
To register, click here.
The Autism Play Date is important because it provides valuable information, resources, and awareness for the community. For more information, contact Brooks office at (215) 686-0461.
VETFEST WILL TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 5
Produced by The Philadelphia Office of Veterans Affairs and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson’s Office, VetFest will take place on August 5 from 11a.m. to 4p.m. at the City Hall’s North Apron, located at North Broad Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, and inside the City Hall Courtyard. This is a rain-or-shine event.
The event honors and celebrates Veterans and Veteran organizations who excel in their community. VetFest was postponed twice this year due to dangerously hot weather and the AFSCME District Council 33 municipal workers strike, but it will be well worth the wait on August 5. The event will feature entertainment, food, employment resources, City services, vendors and more.
For more information, contact The Veterans Affairs Office at (215) 686-3256 or go to their new website www.phlcouncil.com/veterans.
COUNCILMEMBER CURTIS JONES IS HOSTING HIS SUMMER JAZZ SERIES AND DISTRICT DAY THIS SUMMER AND THE NEXT JAZZ SHOW IS AUGUST 6
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (4th District) is hosting his Summer Jazz Series every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in different locations throughout his Council District. His next concert is on August 6 at Cathedral Park, 49th and Master Streets, featuring Wendy Simon and Suzanne Cloud. Other concert dates are August 13, 20, 27 and September 3.
Jones also hosting his District Day on Saturday, August 9 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. at the Tustin Recreation Center, 5901 West Columbia Avenue. The District Day will feature food trucks, music live performances and access to City services and resources.
For additional information on Jones Jazz Series and District Day, contact his office at 215-686-3416.
COUNCILMEMBER MIKE DRISCOLL WILL PARTICIPATE IN A GOVERNMENT OPEN HOUSE ON AUGUST 14
Join Councilmember Mike Driscoll (6th District) and other Northeast Philadelphia-based elected officials for the Northeast Government Open House on Thursday, August 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Cannstatter’s (9130 Academy Rd).
This is your chance to:
- Ask questions of your elected representatives directly;
- Connect with folks from city, state & federal agencies;
- Meet your neighbors & build community.
Driscoll thanks the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (GNPCC) for helping bring this together.
For more information, the GNPCC can be reached at (215) 332-3400. Councilmember Driscoll’s office can be reached at (215) 686-3444.
COUNCILMEMBER LOZADA TO HOST HER CLASSROOM KICKOFF BACKPACK GIVAWAY ON AUGUST 16
Philadelphia City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District) will host her Second Annual Classroom Kickoff on August 16 outside of her District Office (4821-A Frankford Avenue) starting at 10 a.m. She will be giving away free backpacks filled with school supplies plus she will have health resources for the whole family and an in-person fitness class.
To register, click here!
Team Lozada has also been doing community cleanups in the Seventh District this summer. They did one recently in the Fairhill neighborhood and filled bags with trash, proving once again that small actions make a big difference.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON’S ANNUAL COMMUNITY DAY WILL HAPPEN ON AUGUST 23
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 23 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. for City Council President Kenyatta Johnson’s (Second District) annual Community Appreciation Day, a family-friendly event where he shows his sincere gratitude to his constituents.
Held at Point Breeze Avenue and Tasker Street, the day will feature live entertainment, free food, school supply giveaways, and activities for all ages. The lineup includes live performances from legendary hip-hop icons Jadakiss and Styles P, R&B sensations Chante’ Moore and NEXT and Philly’s own Urban Guerilla Orchestra. Last year, they welcomed thousands of residents, distributed 500 back-to-school backpacks, supported dozens of small businesses, and city agencies.
For more information, contact Johnson’s Second District Office at 215-686-3412.
COUNCILMEMBER BRIAN O’NEILL WAS RECENLY FEATURED IN THE NORTHEAST TIMES NEWSPAPER
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (10th District) recently gave a Council citation honoring Bernadette Bush, who helped find a missing two-year-old Diarraye Barry in March of this year at Champions Park Playground in Northeast Philadelphia.
Click here to read the Northeast Times story.
Councilmember O’Neill’s office can be reached at (215) 686-3422
SATURDAYS WITH CITY COUNCIL RADIO SHOW AIRS LIVE ON SATURDAY AUGUST 2, 16 AND 30
Tune in and listen to the Saturdays with City Council radio show on Saturday, August 2, 16 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern Time each day on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) or online at wurdradio.com. The show is hosted by Council Communications Director Vincent Thompson and features news and information related to City Council and local, state and federal government issues.
THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL SESSION IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
City Council is now on summer recess from holding regular Thursday Council sessions. Council offices remain open Monday through Friday during normal business hours for constituent service requests.
The next Regular Stated City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 11 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), Philadelphia City Hall. Council is scheduled to have 11 Stated Meetings between September to December.
Tune in live on September 11 by watching Xfinity Channel 64 and Fios Channel 40 if you have cable TV in Philadelphia, and stream online at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch
