Demonstrators Use Flyers' Mascot Gritty To Protest President Trump's Philadelphia Appearance
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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Gritty has had a whirlwind debut over the past few weeks. That includes today when the Flyers mascot's likeness was used by protesters outside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center ahead of President Donald Trump's address to the National Electrical Contractors Association Convention Tuesday afternoon.
Multiple protesters adopted Gritty's likeness on signs and banners during their demonstrations in Center City.
President Trump protesters enlisting the image of @GrittyNHL pic.twitter.com/p24sRP8Mut
— Cleve Bryan (@CleveBryan) October 2, 2018
Another @GrittyNHL sign at Trump protest pic.twitter.com/Eq04FR0izw
— Cleve Bryan (@CleveBryan) October 2, 2018
Other protesters wore costumes.
"There are still children being separated from their parents at the border, tax cuts for the rich that are going to affect this economy for the next 10-15 years," said Mike Hisey.
While many protestors came as individuals, Refuse Fascism Philly organized a rally and march that kept Philadelphia police busy on traffic duty.
Organizers for the rally believe their resistance has made progress. Pointing to the presidents' reversal on child separation at the U.S.-Mexico border and another FBI investigation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, they don't believe wearing out the treads of their shoes and straining their voices is in vain.
"It's not going to be an individual protest, it's going to be day after day, night after night," said Sam Goldman with Refuse Fascism Philly.
Trump was in town promoting his new North American trade agreement and the nation's economic performance.