Photo by Rich Gardner
The Kimmel Center is situated on the Philly Walk of Fame, a two block long section of the Avenue of the Arts in which notable musical performers who were born, lived or died in this city are honored with plaques set into the sidewalk. The speakers of the April 6 event stood at the marker of Billie Holiday, just one of 140 performers such as Marion Anderson, John Coltrane, Nina Simone and many others. The Orchestra’s planned trip to Apartheid Israel flies in the face of these and other honored performers who would surely have opposed the @philorch’s plans.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Pro-Palestinian activists protest the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Israel tour
Sotto voce criticism of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s upcoming tour of Israel began a few weeks ago, but erupted noisily Friday with about four dozen protesters rallying in front of the Kimmel Center as audiences were leaving an orchestra matinee.
Activists urged the orchestra to cancel its concerts in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, citing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in general and, in particular, recent actions by Israeli security forces at Gaza border demonstrations that left more than two dozen Palestinians dead and hundreds injured.
Piece continues with good deal of sympathy for the pro-Palestinian side of the debate.
Flickr pictures taken by Joe Piette
This was a great team effort by folks in Philly and comrades outside the city who are tweeting and pushing this campaign on social media and other news outlets.
We’re planning another action next weekend and we’ll update the group as soon as we meet. There are several other initiatives by individuals and smaller groups, all excellent and hopefully fruitful. We hope everyone feels empowered to use their judgement, talents, time and labor to take more such initiatives. We are all experienced activists and would like to move forward with a level of trust and faith in each other that precludes micro-management. With this approach, combined with the spirit of collaboration, we agreed to report activities of such “working groups” to the larger group so we all have a sense of what’s happening and have an opportunity to discuss and help each other move things forward.
Thanks,
susie
