Thousands of people gathered in Center City on Saturday to protest the Trump administration’s actions, starting at City Hall and then marching to Independence Mall for a rally that included impassioned speeches and ever-improving American signage. There was a similar, though larger, march in June.
WHYY Aaron Moselle he was there and made a report.
As the government shutdown enters its third week, Billy Penn provides a status update on the government shutdown and other actions that have drawn the ire of “No Kings” protesters over the past six months.
What’s closed — and what’s open — around Philadelphia
Independence National Historic Park remains closed, meaning visitors can only visit through the gates of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The National Park Service has furloughed many local workers, leaving maintenance crews exhausted and interest groups concerned about constant layoffs if shutdowns continue
Visit Philadelphia this list of what’s closed and what’s open.
These attractions are closed:
- Liberty Bell Center
- Independence Hall
- Franklin Court
- Benjamin Franklin Museum
- Rose Garden
- Magnolia Garden
- Benjamin Rush Garden
- Garden from the 18th century
- The African American Museum remains closed for the installation of another exhibition, Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in costume design (reopening November 1).
Are open:
- Attractions operated entirely without federal funds or federal employee support, including: National Constitution Center, American Philosophical Society, Christ Church and Christ Church Burial Ground, Carpenters’ Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, Franklin Square, Betsy Ross House, Museum of the American Revolution, Independence Seaport Museum, Cherry Street Pier, Powel House and Hill-Physick House, National Liberty Museum, Museum of Illusions Philadelphia, Mother Bethel AME Church and Richard Allen Museum, Gloria Dei Episcopal Church
- Independence Visitor Center
- Museums of art and culture, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Calder Gardens, Barnes Foundation, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Franklin Institute, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia Zoo, and Penn Museum
- The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is open on weekends (Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- The United States Mint will remain open during the government shutdown
The U.S. Immigration Court in Philadelphia has suspended most hearings, except for emergency cases involving detainees. Federal employees in city officesfrom HUD’s regional headquarters to EPA’s Mid-Atlantic office received notice of termination. Essential workers – TSA agents, air traffic controllers, postal carriers and some law enforcement officers – they still report for dutybut most now work without pay.
Vital services take hits
Key support programs weaken as federal funds arid up. Approximately 2 million Pennsylvanians stand before them uncertainty about November SNAP (food stamps) benefits. after the Department of Agriculture’s reserves ran out in mid-October. Although Medicaid and Social Security are funded automatically, Social Security field offices in Center City have cut back on personal assistance and stopped issuing means-tested letters, an crucial document for eligibility for housing and benefits.
Local nonprofits are already reporting an enhance in demand for food and rent subsidies. Philabundance and other anti-hunger organizations say lines have grown longer since the shutdown began.
Federal workers are feeling the strain
66,000 federal civilian employees in Pennsylvania – including about 32,000 in Philadelphia – are either furloughed or working without pay. Contractors, unlike direct employees, are unlikely to receive back wages once the shutdown ends. While vigorous military members were paid on October 15 thanks to the reallocation of Pentagon funds, future wages remain uncertain.
Union leaders representing local employees of the National Park Service and Veterans Affairs say morale is lowand that the Trump administration’s “curtailment” directives – ordering the layoff of thousands of workers – have increased anxiety. Last week, a federal judge issued a short-lived restraining order halting some RIF notifications, but thousands remain on hold.
The politics behind paralysis
The shutdown began Oct. 1 after a dispute between the Republican-controlled Congress and Democrats over extending subsidies from the federal Affordable Care Act. President Donald Trump has described the conflict as an incentive to “shrink bloated government,” while Democrats say it is a targeted withdrawal of imperative funding for health care and social services.
For now no recent negotiations are scheduled until early next week — which means closures, delays and furloughs will continue until the end of October.
