Amid rioting and violence, Philly City Council actually passes ban on cops using tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets
In the middle of week marked by rioting, looting, and violence, Philadelphia City Council on Thursday passed a ban on police using non-lethal munitions such as tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets on protesters and demonstrators.
What are the details?
The legislation is in reaction to incidents between officers and protesters following the death of George Floyd earlier this year, WPVI-TV reported, and was approved by the council's public safety committee last week.
Of course, the rioting that's gripped the city this week stems from police fatally shooting Walter Wallace Jr., a black man who approached officers while reportedly armed with a knife.
Content warning: Language:
Philadelphia Police Are Outnumbered By Hundreds Of Rioters.youtu.be
At the Philadelphia BLM riot, a cop got hit or run over by a speeding vehicle. https://t.co/S12XuEoNAi— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1603774843.0
Still, councilmembers praised their ban.
"The ban passes at a time of demonstrations and unrest after the police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., and days before an election where demonstrations are expected regardless of the result," council said in a press release, WPVI noted.
Councilmember Helen Gym said such a ban would help reestablish trust between the public and law enforcement, the station said: "Residential neighborhoods are not war zones. Demonstrators are not enemy combatants."
Content warning: Language:
Police run away and retreat from a mob of BLM rioters in Philadelphia. https://t.co/mcRONzebDl— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1603779761.0
"This is a first step in working with our communities to build a new model for public safety that is driven by their needs and their vision for the future," Gym also stated in the release, WPVI noted.
City Council said Philadelphia would be the largest American city to enact such a ban. The station said it's awaiting word from Mayor Jim Kenney's office to see if he'll sign the bill.
Pushback
Roosevelt Poplar, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told WPVI the whole point of "less than lethal" force for crowd control is to keep the public as safe as possible during potentially dangerous situations.
"So, basically, you're taking away non-lethal munitions, and you're leaving them with only one tool, and that's a deadly weapon tool, which is a gun," Poplar added to the station.
Anything else?
One of the first questions following Wallace's fatal shooting is why the involved officers didn't use tasers — and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said the two officers who shot Wallace weren't carrying tasers — and many other officers don't carry them, either.
Complicating issues between cops on the ground and their superiors was a tweet from WTXF-TV reporter Steve Keeley that officers were "extremely frustrated" after Deputy Police Commissioner Melvin Singleton allegedly ordered both patrol and commanding officers to "not arrest looters just disperse them."
"By the order of CAR-2, Philadelphia Police will respond to 'priority' calls only," the alleged directive from the department obtained by Keeley said. "This means no calls for disturbance, missing person, stolen vehicle, burglary or theft will be answered."
Keeley added that some officers believe the order "leaves no deterrent to stop looting."
At least 30 officers hurt in Philadelphia riots after police kill Black manyoutu.be
Vietnamese Baptist church burned down in Philly riots, but pastor grateful for small miracle: God 'granted our prayer'
The riots in Philadelphia have caused major damage to businesses; at least 200 stores have been looted since the civil unrest erupted this week. For whatever reason, rioters targeted the Vietnam Baptist Church in Philadelphia, and set fire to the building on Tuesday night.
Vietnam Baptist Church Pastor Philip Pham told the Baptist Press, "I have no idea why they attacked our church. They burned it from the roof. They threw flammable chemicals on the roof and [flames] burned through the roof."
Despite the church being a "total loss," the pastor is grateful for a small miracle amidst the destruction.
Pham received a phone call on Tuesday night from a friend informing him that the church was on fire and there were seven fire trucks there to attempt to put out the blaze. Pham deemed that one thing in the church was irreplaceable: three hard drives containing important information.
Before the purchase of the building, the Vietnam Baptist Church served as a community center, which provided assistance with immigration paperwork, taxes, and marriage counseling. More than 15 years of notable documents were on those hard drives.
"I prayed right away: 'God, please protect the hard drives,'" Pham recalled. "Other stuff can be recovered. But those files will never be recovered."
Pham rushed to the church, which was already charred and destroyed.
A Vietnamese Baptist church was burned in Philadelphia last night. The Pastor says they poured a chemical acceleran… https://t.co/Cg8meRpEwj— Kitty Shackleford (@Kitty Shackleford)1603940166.0
The building of Vietnam Baptist Church in Philadelphia was burned Tuesday night (Oct. 27) during the second night o… https://t.co/mVGVtx8zzg— Baptist Press (@Baptist Press)1603924220.0
Despite the destruction to much of the Vietnamese Baptist church from the fire, the hard drives were unscathed – a small miracle bestowed during a time of dismaying anguish.
"I saw the routers and modems and things surrounding the hard drives all burned, melted," Pham recalled. "But that piece of hard drive, no harm. No harm at all. Just two feet above that, all melted. … That is amazing how God knows our needs and answers our prayers. He is an almighty God. He granted our prayer."
Following the burning down of the church and the looting in the city, Pham reminded everyone that rage is not the answer. Pham encouraged youth pastors to stress the words of James 1:20: "The anger of man does not bring about the righteousness of God."
"You cannot use your anger and be justified," Pham articulated. "I would like to bring this message to all the young people."
Pham had comforting words to his church members who were frightened and nervous about the turmoil in Philly.
"So many things we don't know, but God knows, so just trust God," Pham told his congregation. "Just do right. Don't copy [those who practice violence], but do what the Bible says and what He wants us to do. Love them and pray for them that they may know Christ, that the Holy Spirit may convict them and they may seek God."
The Vietnam Baptist Church had been mostly meeting online because of the city's stringent coronavirus restrictions. Pham was attempting to find a nearby school where he could host the church's livestream broadcast this Sunday.
"Remember us in your prayer in time of need like this. The church members here need encouragement," the pastor said. "The majority of us have very strong faith in Christ, but a minority, a few new believers, they need their faith to grow. Pray for their faith to take deep root in the love of God so they can be steadfast in Him. Not focus on the problem, but focus on Jesus. Please remember us in your prayers."
Police find van loaded with explosives in Philadelphia; looting and rioting continues in city despite curfew
Philadelphia police have launched an investigation after discovering a van that was reportedly loaded with explosives and suspicious items around 10 p.m. Wednesday night. The bomb squad and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were called in to assist with the investigation.
Inside the abandoned van were explosives, such as propane tanks, dynamite sticks, and torches, according to WPVI-TV. The van was reportedly found at Logan Circle, a large traffic circle with a park and gardens in Philly's Center City neighborhood in the city's museum district.
No one was in the van when police approached the vehicle, but an eyewitness told WCAU-TV that they saw a man running away from the van.
The identity of the owner of the van has not been revealed, and no arrests have been made.
Action News has learned that police recovered propane tanks, torches and possible dynamite sticks from the van. https://t.co/6anAYAP9DX— Action News on 6abc (@Action News on 6abc)1603972024.0
#BREAKING : Phila Police discover van loaded with explosives, suspicious equipment at Logan Circle in Center City.… https://t.co/bGL1gtLlBq— Dann Cuellar (@Dann Cuellar)1603939914.0
Philadelphia police have reported that explosives have been used to try to breach ATMs during the riots. WTXF-TV reported that authorities responded to four reports of explosives being detonated near automated teller machines in North Philadelphia between 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday. Police say the cashboxes were still intact after the explosions and the suspects could not steal the money, but significant damage was done to the machines.
This week's protests that have escalated into looting and fiery riots were sparked by Monday's police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., who reportedly wielded a knife and charged at officers. Police fired 14 shots, killing Wallace.
During the first night of riots, dozens of businesses were looted, and at least 30 Philadelphia police officers were injured, 12 were hospitalized. Looting continued a second night in Philadelphia, including at a Five Below store, where BlazeTV reporter Elijah Schaffer was assaulted by looters.
Philadelphia instituted a citywide curfew from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday. Despite the curfew, there was still looting in the city on Wednesday night.
More than half of the stores in a northeast Philadelphia strip mall were vandalized Wednesday night, according to KYW-TV.
"One of the stores' managers told the station a group of about 12 to 15 people drove up to the shopping center at about midnight and went business by business, smashing doors and windows," KYW-TV news reporter Jan Carabeo noted.
In a different part of the city, a Lord & Taylor and other businesses were damaged by rioters.
No arrests were reported.
Businesses in Northeast Philly were damaged by vandals overnight on the third night of unrest following the death o… https://t.co/pOhNOVYPMo— Jan Carabeo (@Jan Carabeo)1603967071.0
"City officials said at least 200 businesses, many of them already struggling in the midst of the pandemic, were the targets of massive looting across the city," WCAU-TV reported. "To assist police, an undetermined number of Pennsylvania National Guard troops will soon be arriving in the city."
"I have requested the assistance of the Pennsylvania National Guard," Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said. "Their role, first and foremost, will be to safeguard property and prevent looting. They will also provide assistance for our police department and other operational departments as needed."
The Pennsylvania National Guard troops will begin arriving in Philadelphia on Friday, Kenney said during a virtual news conference on Wednesday.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw delivered an update regarding the investigation into the police shooting death of Wallace.
"As I said yesterday, this investigation has many moving parts and we are working hard to ensure that a fair and thorough investigation takes place," Outlaw said. "We plan on releasing premise history audio of 911 calls and bodycam footage of the discharging officers in the near future.
"We will be meeting with members of Mr. Wallace's family, to ensure they get an opportunity to view the materials first," Outlaw continued.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 President John McNesby commented on the investigation.
"We're calling on the city leadership to release the facts of this case, it's not hard, it's cut and dry. Release what you have," McNesby said.
Walter Wallace Jr., fatally shot by Philly police, had long criminal history; was accused of punching his mother — and a cop — in face
Walter Wallace Jr. — the black man fatally shot by Philadelphia police Monday after approaching them while reportedly armed with a knife, which led to rioting and looting — had a long criminal history.
What are the details?
In 2013, Wallace pleaded guilty to assault and resisting arrest after punching a police officer in the face, WPVI-TV reported.
Citing court records, WCAU-TV reported that Wallace's mother in 2013 had a protective order against him — which he allegedly violated when he "threw water in her face and punched her in the face" and "threatened to return and shoot" her.
In 2017, Wallace pleaded guilty to robbery, assault, and possessing an instrument of crime after kicking down a woman's door and putting a gun to her head, WPVI said, adding that he was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in jail.
In 2019, he was charged with resisting arrest by "kicking the windows and door panels of a police patrol car," WCAU reported.
And he was arrested in March after allegedly threatening the mother of his child, telling her over the phone that "I'll shoot you and that house up," WCAU added.
What else?
Wallace also was an aspiring rapper with social media accounts filled with videos featuring guns as a central theme, WPVI said, adding that he rhymed about shooting people — including police.
The station added, however, that he also made music videos about social causes and police injustice.
WPVI also said the courts had concerns about his mental health, noting that a judge ordered Wallace to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and treatment as far back as 2013.
His family says he was bipolar, the station reported.
"I do know that he was on a regimen of lithium and that says to me he was under a doctor's care, and that says to me officers who are trained — invisible ink — properly should notice certain things when they arrive at the scene," family attorney Shaka Johnson told WPVI.
Anything else?
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said that the shooting of Wallace, which was caught on video, "raises many questions" and announced an investigation into the incident, Newsweek said.
"Residents have my assurance that those questions will be fully addressed by the investigation," Outlaw said. "While at the scene this evening, I heard and felt the anger of the community. Everyone involved will forever be impacted. I will be leaning on what the investigation gleans to answer the many unanswered questions that exist."
It's been asked why the two officers who shot Wallace didn't use tasers, but Outlaw noted that they were not carrying tasers, and many other officers do not carry them, either.
Philadelphia DA warns President Trump on election poll-watchers: 'Break the law here, and I've got something for you.'
The district attorney in Philadelphia issued a fiery statement warning President Donald Trump about supporting uncertified poll watchers for the election.
Larry Krasner issued the statement on Wednesday as a third night of violent protests were expected to erupt in the historic city.
"The Trump Administration's efforts to suppress votes amid a global pandemic fueled by their disregard for human life will not be tolerated in the birthplace of American democracy. Philadelphians from a diversity of political opinions believe strongly in the rule of law, in fair and free elections, and in a democratic system of government. We will not be cowed or ruled by a lawless, power-hungry despot. Some folks learned that the hard way in the 1700s," read the statement.
Krasner went on blame the president for coronavirus pandemic deaths, and then addressed the rioting over the lethal police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., a black man.
"Philadelphians are grieving the fatal shooting by police of a Black man who appeared to be in mental health crisis. Instead of working with cities and states to improve accountability and efficacy in policing, instead of supporting and strengthening Black communities, the Trump Administration seeks to throw gasoline on a long-burning fire in order to provoke further unrest and violence ahead of an election he is terrified to lose," he said.
Krasner then said his office was pursuing serious charges against a suspect who allegedly ran over a police sergeant, seriously injuring her, during the protests.
"My office is also investigating the police shooting death of Walter Wallace, Jr., because justice demands accountability for every death at the hands of government actors — whether on the streets or in prisons or in the ICE facilities where Donald Trump is caging children," he added.
"Keep your Proud Boys, goon squads, and uncertified 'poll watchers' out of our city, Mr. President. Break the law here, and I've got something for you," Krasner concluded.
The Trump campaign had said they were prepared to sue the city over their lack of cooperation with the insertion of "poll watchers" for the election. The president tweeted about the issue in September.
Wow. Won’t let Poll Watchers & Security into Philadelphia Voting Places. There is only one reason why. Corruption!!… https://t.co/mkWsQx48e7— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1601414045.0
Krasner said during an interview on Democracy Now! that the law would apply to any federal officers that the president might send to the city and if they attempted to arrest people without probable cause that he would press charges against them and litigate the issue as a crime. He went on to say that he believed Trump was a "wannabe fascist," during the interview.
Here's more about Kresner's threats:
Philly DA Larry Krasner: Trump Is a “Wannabe Fascist." I Will Charge His Agents If They Break Lawwww.youtube.com
Report: Philadelphia PD ordered officers not to arrest rioters and looters — just disperse them — as city was ransacked
As looters and rioters ransacked the city of Philadelphia again Tuesday night in response to the deadly police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., the city police's response was reportedly obstructed by their own deputy commissioner.
WTXF-TV reporter Steve Keeley tweeted Wednesday morning that police officers were "extremely frustrated" after Deputy Police Commissioner Melvin Singleton allegedly ordered both patrol and commanding officers to "not arrest looters just disperse them."
"By the order of CAR-2, Philadelphia Police will respond to 'priority' calls only," the alleged directive from the department obtained by Keeley said. "This means no calls for disturbance, missing person, stolen vehicle, burglary or theft will be answered."
Keeley added that some officers believe the order "leaves no deterrent to stop looting."
It was not immediately clear if and when the order became effective, as police made at least 90 arrests, most for burglary, during Monday's riots. However, Keeley's tweet seems to indicate that the order was given heading into Tuesday night.
Yesterday when police announced the number of arrests in the Mon-Tues looting,charges were for “burglary”. And in… https://t.co/EIkUUGP7Lv— Steve Keeley (@Steve Keeley)1603890736.0
Rioters first took to the streets Monday night after video of 27-year-old Wallace's death went viral on social media. In the video, Wallace appeared to be walking toward police as they yell at him and eventually open fire. The officers said that Wallace was carrying a knife and refused to drop it as he approached them.
Philadelphia police reported that on Monday night alone at least 30 officers were injured amid the chaos and lawlessness. Videos on social media showed rioters and looters facing little resistance as they burnt property and ransacked shops.
BlazeTV's Elijah Schaffer recorded Black Lives Matter protesters chanting, "Every city, every town, burn the precincts to the ground!"
Schaffer was later attacked by a mob while recording looters inside a Philadelphia Five Below store, resulting in a bloody mouth and swollen lip.
Schaffer described the assault in a video posted on Twitter, in which he said he "was jumped by BLM rioters while they were looting more than a dozen stores, including Wal-Matt [sic], T-Mobile, & 5-below."
PHILADELPHIA: This is the footage I was recording when BLM assaulted me. Other journalists were filming but I was… https://t.co/Jz69QaFImN— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ELIJAH SCHAFFER)1603853272.0
Walter Wallace Jr.'s family condemns violence and looting in Philadelphia, begs for justice and peace
The family of Walter Wallace Jr., calling for justice and peace, denounced the violence and looting taking place in Philadelphia after video of the deadly police shooting went viral.
"I don't condone no violence, tearing up the city, looting up the stores, and all this chaos going," Walter Wallace Sr. said Tuesday night. "I would like that everybody having respect for my family and my son to stop this violent and chaos, what's going on in the city."
Speaking to reporters, Wallace Sr. asked for answers on the police shooting of his 27-year-old son, which was captured on bodycam footage. According to the Wallace family, police had visited their home three times on Monday. They said the younger Wallace suffered from mental health problems for years and that night the family called 911 for an ambulance but instead, the police arrived.
Police fatally shot Wallace, who was reportedly armed with a knife, after he allegedly strode toward the officers and refused to drop the knife.
"I was telling the police to stop, don't shoot my son. They paid me no mind and they just shot him," said Cathy Wallace, the deceased's mother.
"Justice got to be done to help my son and help my family," Wallace Sr. told WTXF-TV. "That's all I'm sending out, is an S.O.S. to help, and not to hurt and cause no chaos, violent looting, fire ... I wasn't brought up like that."
In the aftermath of the deadly shooting, riots have erupted in Philadelphia. More than 30 police officers were injured Monday as police are being targeted for assault. Looters are taking advantage of the chaos as well to rob Philadelphia stores. BlazeTV reporter Elijah Schaffer was assaulted inside a Philadelphia store while covering the violence.
The Wallace family has repeatedly called for peace.
"I ain't got time to loot, burn up, and destroy where I live. It's uncalled for, it really, really is and the people doing it ain't helping my family. They are showing disrespect," Wallace Sr. said.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, the White House announced it is prepared to deploy federal resources to stop the violence at the request of Pennsylvania officials.
"The riots in Philadelphia are the most recent consequence of the Liberal Democrats' war against the police," the Trump administration said.
"All lethal force incidents must be fully investigated. The facts must be followed wherever they lead to ensure fair and just results. In America, we resolve conflicts through the courts and the justice system. We can never allow mob rule," the statement said. "The Trump administration stands proudly with law enforcement, and stands ready, upon request, to deploy any and all Federal resources to end these riots."
A statement from Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris expressed sympathy for the Wallace family, while condemning the violence in Philadelphia.
"Walter Wallace's life, like too many others', was a Black life that mattered — to his mother, to his family, to his community, to all of us," the statement said in part. "At the same time, no amount of anger at the very real injustices in our society excuses violence. Attacking police officers and vandalizing small businesses, which are already struggling during a pandemic, does not bend the moral arc of the universe closer to justice. It hurts our fellow citizens. Looting is not a protest, it is a crime."
Biden and Harris attacked President Trump in their statement.
"All Donald Trump does is fan the flames of division in our society. He is incapable of doing the real work to bring people together. We will," they said.
'Synagogue of Satan': Black Lives Matter militants bully, shove Jewish men until they leave Philly protest
Black Lives Matter militants once again demonstrated their commitment to diversity when they confronted a trio of Jewish men who came in "solidarity" Tuesday to a protest in the wake of Walter Wallace Jr.'s fatal shooting by Philadelphia police.
What are the details?
One Black Lives Matter militant begins circling the Jewish men, who stand out in the crowd because of the yarmulkes upon the heads.
He then calls out to them, "Amalek! Amalek! What y'all doin' down here?"
According to Chabad.org, "The Amalekites, descendants of Amalek, were an ancient biblical nation living near the land of Canaan. They were the first nation to attack the Jewish people after the Exodus from Egypt, and they are seen as the archetypal enemy of the Jews. The nation of Amalek is long gone, but they live on as the internal enemies that we each battle on a daily basis."
"You live here?" the militant continues. "You live here?"
He then makes a mostly unintelligible reference to their faces about "real Jews."
Another militant joins in: "Y'all gotta go!"
A third Black Lives Matter soldier enters the battle: "This ain't y'all fight, y'all gotta go!"
One of the Jewish men tells the gathering mob that "we're just showing solidarity."
With that, one of the militants replies, "We don't need no solidarity!"
Another hollers at the Jewish men that "y'all startin' s**t!"
Soon screams of "get the f*** outta here!" begin as the Jewish men begin walking away.
But one fully masked individual apparently didn't think they were leaving quickly enough, and so he takes it upon himself to shove one of the Jewish men backward.
"Get your white ass outta here!" someone else exclaims.
"Get off our block!" another person yells.
Fortunately, things don't escalate from there — but boy oh boy, it sure must have been comforting that numerous police officers in riot gear were lined up just feet away.
Finally, the guy who called the Jewish men "Amalek!" at the start of the video ends the clip by making a reference to Revelation 2:9 and "the synagogue of Satan."
That particular verse reads, "I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan."
Here's the video. (Content warning: Language):
Black Lives Matter rioters in Philadelphia threaten, assault, and chase out Jewish residents claiming "you don't li… https://t.co/hSanHV45Sx— Ian Miles Cheong (@Ian Miles Cheong)1603880664.0
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