Philadelphia Activists Rally To Urge Policing Reforms
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — Activists in Philadelphia took to the streets to decry recent shootings of black men by police and urge reforms.
About 150 protesters rallied at City Hall Monday morning.
It was one of six protests around the nation planned by a group called Showing Up for Racial Justice.
Volunteer John Bergen says the group wanted to show that a large number of white Americans are troubled by the recent shootings of black men by police.
"I think it's beautiful that you have people of all races coming together for a greater good."
A stretch of downtown streets near City Hall were temporarily shut down to accommodate the protest.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan says, "We believe our job is to protect and facilitate the protest, not hamper or interfere with them."
The group planned other rallies Monday in Fairfax, Virginia; Portland, Oregon; Madison, Wisconsin; Louisville, Kentucky; and Hudson, New York.
They're calling for an end to violence by police against people of color, and for police departments to be held accountable.
"We'll be out organizing in the streets until the end of racism."
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