🥶 Union reacts to Philly paying locals to remove snow

Philly Launches Paid Program to Remove Snow

The city of Philadelphia launched a same-day, work-and-pay program yesterday to speed up snow removal, focusing on ADA curb ramps. Over 200 people signed up for $25 an hour to clear about 60 corners. The goal is to restore pedestrian accessibility ten days after the storm. [6ABC]

• District Council 33, the city workers’ union, expressed concern that the city hired “outside laborers for snow-removal operations without any consultation.” [Instagram]

Is Philly’s Magnet School Policy Discriminatory?

A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit claiming Philadelphia's magnet school admissions policy may be racially discriminatory, potentially harming Asian and white students but increasing opportunities for Black and Hispanic students. A district court judge had previously dismissed the case. [Chalkbeat Philadelphia]

New Art Museum Name Same as Old Art Museum Name

Well that didn’t last long. The widely panned decision to change the moniker of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Philadelphia Art Museum has been reversed. That means “PHaM” is out and “PMA” is back. The big rebrand kicked off weeks of controversy at the museum, culminating in the firing of its CEO and a lawsuit. The museum, though, is keeping the new logo with the griffin. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The Inquirer]

Rally in Rittenhouse Denounced and Barbershop Vandalism Alleged

Local Jewish organizations and state legislators say a demonstration in Rittenhouse Square on Sunday promoted violent extremism and antisemitic rhetoric. The rally was organized by the Philly Palestine Coalition, which on Instagram called for people to “honor and heed the call of the Palestinian resistance.” The rally memorialized Abu Obeida, a former Hamas leader. State Rep. Tarik Khan said: “Any protest or organization that glorifies Hamas and terrorism has no place in Philadelphia.”

• The owner of Omar’s beauty salon on Christian Street in Graduate Hospital said that vandals smashed its front window, likely due to the “Free Palestine” sign it prominently displayed. No one was injured. [JNS; Instagram]

📣 City Cast Philly Neighbor Charita P. wants to shoutout Amazulu Collections / Urban Kama Wear for its handcrafted sterling silver jewelry and clothing! It’s a small business in Philly that would love the community’s support. You’ll find them in Reading Terminal Market ♥️

Thanks, Charita! If you’re looking for more local businesses to support, be sure to check out our guides on:

• Where to shop second-hand in Philly
• Where to find last-minute gifts
• The century-old Philly institution that ships curated foods