Hundreds of Residents Paint ‘End Racism Now’ in Philly Neighborhood

Throughout the past week, many cities have been rallying together to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. One city in particular showed their support in a unique but loud way.

According to NBC Philadelphia,  Residents of Fishtown painted the words ‘End Racism Now’ in yellow paint in the middle of Girard and Montgomery avenues. One of the volunteers, Ashley Coticchio said “I mean it’s incredible. I don’t think I ever thought that I’d be part of something like this. It definitely makes you feel like you’re part of the community which a lot of times in the city you don’t get.”

The leader of the event, Pastor John T Brice, said that the yellow paint will be there until Wednesday, but wants to move this to a permanent location so the message can be seen constantly.

Last week Fishtown was the topic of a controversy when a group of men with baseball bats moved throughout Philadelphia claiming to be protecting the neighborhood after looting and rioting happened in the city. The police were called out by residents who felt that it was unfair that these men were allowed to be out past the curfew without repercussions. There were even rumors that the group of men were seen high-fiving police officers and taking pictures with them, which the police denied.

Regarding the group of people with bats, Pastor Brice said, “They’re Fishtown, I don’t want to get rid of them. Let’s change their hearts man. I know this is your neighborhood. Let’s just change the heart of the neighborhood so we can love on our neighbors. That’s it.”