Fishtown Neighbors Association Stands for a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Welcoming Fishtown

We at the Fishtown Neighbors Association mourn with our community over the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others. We strongly condemn racism, police brutality, and those individuals sabotaging well-intentioned protests by committing crimes of opportunity, while standing in solidarity with those demonstrating for change. We further reject hate speech, any form of prejudice or intolerance, violence towards peaceful neighbors, and other forms of hatred. 
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Monday night’s acts of intimidation and violence by some of the individuals attending the evening's “counter-protest” on Girard Avenue were intolerable, and they do not represent the Fishtown community. The failure of the 26th District police to disperse the crowd of over three dozen individuals —many of whom were wielding bats, hammers, and other weapons—after the Mayor's 6 pm curfew went into effect led directly to the assault of the press along with two other attendees.

The events that took place on Monday night left many of our neighbors and their children feeling unsafe in their homes and community. We will have a long way to go to reestablish this trust and continue in the positive direction we were headed prior to Monday's incredibly disappointing events. We, the Fishtown Neighbors Association, look forward to working with the police district and the captain on creating a path toward equality in the district, and building faith in a justice system that has historically been built on systemic racism and prejudice.

The FNA has been and will continue to be dedicated to promoting integration within the community and understanding of the diverse perspectives amongst neighbors to promote tolerance and break down barriers in our neighborhood. As an organization, we are dedicated to continuing to promote conversations and provide events and opportunities that help to broaden perspectives and increase diversity so that Fishtown can be a place that is more welcoming to all people. As we heal as a neighborhood, the FNA pledges to foster inclusion, promote safety, and fight injustice and racism so that Fishtown is a place all may feel welcome and secure.