After one-day break (no curfew on Thursday), a citywide curfew has been declared for Philadelphia again starting tonight (Oct. 30) at 9 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday. During this time, residents are allowed to leave their homes only to go to work, seek medical or emergency assistance, or drop off a mail-in ballot.

Heavier police presence can be seen this afternoon around 52nd Street in West Philadelphia. Also, as had been expected, the National Guard started arriving in the city today, following a few days of civil unrest as the result of the police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. on Monday: Continue Reading

A citywide curfew has been issued for Philadelphia after the second night of protests and civil unrest following Monday’s police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. The curfew will begin tonight at 9 p.m. and will end at 6 a.m. tomorrow. During the curfew, people are allowed to leave their homes only to go to work, seek medical or emergency assistance or drop off a mail-in ballot.

Protests continued last night in West Philadelphia and some more looting and ATM explosions were reported across the city. Many stores and other businesses closed early on Tuesday and began boarding up windows. Some stores are also closing early tonight because of the curfew.

The National Guard is expected to arrive in Philadelphia on Friday, with some additional forces on Saturday, according to media reports.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up for Walter Wallace’s family, and the community has already raised over $140,000 since yesterday.

UPDATE: Protests and peaceful marches continued on Tuesday in West Philadelphia:

“When I say ‘Walter’ you say ‘Wallace’” hundreds marching peacefully down 5200 block of Pine toward 18th police district at 55th and Pine #WalterWallaceJr #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/PW2jFNnYPr

— West Philly Local (@WestPhillyLocal) October 28, 2020

Earlier today, members of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia marched to the 18th police precinct after #WalterWallaceJr was shot and killed by police officers Monday night in West Philly.

Protests are continuing in the city. Follow live updates here:https://t.co/A3sFDG95qX pic.twitter.com/vA0oC9Q1eV

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A tense scene on the 5200 block of Pine St. as police attempt to keep protesters moving. #WalterWallace #blacklivesmatter #phillyprotest

A post shared by West Philly Local (@westphillylocal) on Oct 27, 2020 at 6:56pm PDT

— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) October 27, 2020

Hundreds of people took to West Philly streets on Monday night to protest the death of a 27-year-old Black man who was shot multiple times and killed by police on the 6100 block of Locust Street shortly before 4 p.m. yesterday.

The man, later identified as Walter Wallace Jr., was reportedly holding a knife when police arrived. He was shot outside his residence in front of his mother and many other witnesses, according to reports. His family said that he was suffering from mental illness and his mother reportedly pleaded with police not to shoot him.

Following the shooting, protests and civil unrest erupted in West Philadelphia. Around 8 p.m. a crowd started gathering outside the 18th Police District headquarters near 55th and Pine. Several officers were reportedly injured in a standoff near the building.  Continue Reading

Mural Arts Philadelphia has partnered with DTLR, one of the stores that was looted during the civil unrest on May 31, to install “Messages of Hope” from local Black artists on its damaged storefronts around the city, including one on S. 52nd Street. Artists from the public art project Fill the Walls with Hope installed socially conscious artwork featuring powerful messages that aim to bring a sense of hope to the damaged storefronts.

DTLR, an apparel store, opened its Philadelphia flagship store near 52nd and Market last November. The location has remained closed since May 31. DTLR is planning to reopen this and other looted Philadelphia locations by the end of first quarter 2021.  Continue Reading

Small businesses that were damaged or sustained losses during the recent civil unrest can benefit from a new program – the PHL Emergency Business Insurance Support Initiative.

The collaborative program, launched by City Councilmember Allan Domb, the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative (WPCC), The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. (Barristers) and other community leaders and officials, connects recently impacted small businesses with insurance professionals and lawyer-volunteers recruited by Barristers to help owners review insurance policies, assist with filing claims, and review claims already submitted to ensure accuracy. The volunteers will meet with the small business owners through virtual platforms to assist with their needs.  Continue Reading

Over the last several days, many local organizations have posted public statements or messages reflecting on the protests and civil unrest in the city and on the issue of systemic racism, and showing their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. We’re posting some of them below. Some of these messages include information on how you can help the local Black community and businesses in the aftermath of the recent events and also educational resources for non-Black individuals and families.

People’s Emergency Center (PEC):

“As we surveyed the damage of the weekend’s unrest in our neighborhoods, we shared a deep sense of sadness for business owners, community residents, and others who have invested so much to ensure access to vibrant commercial corridors to meet the needs of residents. And though it will take time and money, we believe the damage done to businesses can and will be repaired somewhat easily.  Continue Reading