Yesterday, hu
ndreds of Philadelphians protested Governor Corbett’s visit to Philly, which he used to address the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce – for $160 a ticket.
Students, parents, and community members rolled out a red carpet to welcome the Governor and his entourage of supporters who are standing beside the Governor’s budget that cuts funding for education, healthcare, and vital services for our most vulnerable citizens.
Folks fed up with the 1% walking all over the working and middle class sandwiched themselves between two pieces of red carpet as supporters of the Governor tried to enter the Prince Theater on Chestnut Street. Meanwhile, the enormous crowd joined in chants of “Hey you millionaires! Pay your fair share!” that echoed through the streets and into the theater where the Governor was speaking.
Outside the theater, community leaders and members commenced the People’s Conversation, speaking out about Governor Corbett’s misplaced priorities. From the dismantling of public education to the schools to prison pipeline to fracking to unfair tax policies, activists made one thing clear: Governor Corbett is choosing to help big corporations and the very rich at the expense of the rest of us.
Community leaders and students spoke out against Governor Corbett’s plans to balance the budget on the backs of students, poor, and working families, and called him out for only coming to town to speak with the Chamber, rather than the communities his budget is hurting. Many of the Chamber of Commerce’s members take advantage of tax cuts and corporate loopholes. For example, Comcast, a sponsor of the event, utilizes the Delaware Loophole which alone costs Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $500 million. Corporations in Philadelphia like Comcast are making millions off the 99% and profiting at our communities loss, and Governor Corbett continuously chooses to protect tax loopholes and benefits that favor the 1%.
Governor Corbett’s partisan agenda is decimating our communities and our schools, putting our families’ futures at risk, and killing good jobs. On Thursday, March 31, we’ll be demanding Comcast to pay their fair share and delivering a petition to Comcast executives urging them to cut ties with ALEC. Join us. [j1]