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Update!

As noted in an earlier Indymedia article Keystone United plans on holding their annual march and rally in honor of Leif Erickson on October 10th in Fairmount park. While the day is billed as a cultural event for families and children, it is in reality an opportunity for Keystone United to air their racist views and gather confidence and new recruits for their cause.

In response a group of allied anti racists has met under the name Philadelphia Against Racism Today (PART) to oppose this march, and begin to build an effective anti racist organization in Philadelphia for the future.

We were shocked to learn that Keystone United does not, and has not had, a permit for their demonstration. According the Regulations Governing Permits for Demonstrations, such a permit is required for any event on city property. In addition, depending on the size and nature of an event, a Special Events Application may be required. Practically this means that Keystone United would have to get approval and pay for permits and insurance. When City Council as well as representatives of Fairmount Park were informed of this, they opted not to enforce these regulations and instead turn a blind eye. When PART attempted to get a permit to hold a Unity counter demonstration, we were flatly denied.   Even if Keystone United were to seek such approval, they would be denied given the fact that a permitted event, the Navy Day Regatta, also occurs on October 10th using the same space.

Because City Council will do nothing, park and event visitors will be subjected to an open display of hatred. We find this appalling given the violent history of Keystone United, as well as their racist mission. We went into the communities surrounding the park and gave out leaflets warning of the event as well as urging residents to contact their City Councilor and demand to know why the city would rather let bigots assemble then do the job the people of Philadelphia elected them to do.  Sadly, the effect of these displays of ignorance is not just a day in the park ruined by hate speech.  As the  violent criminal histories of the key organizers and members of Keystone United can attest, the real potential for racist violence against the people of Philadelphia also exists.  This can not be allowed, and it is up to all of us to stop it.

For more information on the event please refer to the earlier article http://www.phillyimc.org/en/nazis-plan-march-philly-oct-10

To contact City Council and ask why nothing is being done about this unpermitted event call 215-686-1776

To get in touch with the organizers of Navy Day Regatta or their sponsors visit http://www.navydayregatta.com

To get in touch with PART and help form effective long term community led resistance to racism and fascism email Phillypart@gmail.com