Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed two resolutions Thursday condemning efforts to remove references to slavery from the President’s House on Independence Mall and opposing the deployment of troops to U.S. cities.
The President’s House, which reflects the residence maintained by former President George Washington during most of his tenure, was where he illegally kept nine slaves. In March, President Donald Trump issued a directive to remove the language addressing the enslavement at the President’s House as part of efforts to eliminate aspects of history he claimed are divisive.
The resolution condemning the removal threats was introduced last week by Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson and passed with a 13-0 vote. After the session, Johnson emphasized the city’s legislative duty to protect the President’s House, as it sits on city-owned land leased to the federal government.
“For me, that’s more the reason why we have a stake in making sure the exhibit stays there,” Johnson said. “We’ll explore all of our options, legally and legislatively, to keep the exhibit, and most importantly, highlight the fact that we actually own it—not the federal government.”
The President’s House/Slavery Memorial Alliance, a coalition spanning race, religion, and other demographics, is actively mobilizing to protect the site, according to attorney and activist Michael Coard. The group recently held two rounds of Zoom calls to increase interest and unite experts across disciplines to develop response strategies. The alliance plans to present a plan of action on October 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church in North Philadelphia.
Trump’s executive order set a deadline of September 17 to remove non-compliant materials. A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior (DOI) told the Tribune that anything removed would be stored. As of publication, no materials have been removed, nor have any pre-emptive lawsuits been filed. The DOI did not respond to requests for further comment following Johnson’s remarks regarding the lease.
“Our group is prepared to protect the site by any means necessary,” Coard said in a phone interview Thursday.
The second resolution, denouncing the deployment of National Guard troops, garnered significant public support during the Council session. Testifiers urged Council to protect vulnerable communities of color, which have been targeted by the Trump administration, and resist what they called “bullying” from the White House. Many praised Philadelphia’s progress in reducing homicide and crime rates through community work and targeted spending, rather than through increased armed presence from external forces.
“In Philadelphia, we are known for standing up for our rights and we don’t like people telling us what to do and what our city needs,” said Minority Leader Kendra Brooks, who introduced the resolution, during a floor speech. “We take care of our own. This is why I’m concerned about the city’s current approach.”
Brooks also announced plans to hold hearings on this topic, as well as on the reduction of funding to reproductive health services. She voted against all budget bills in June to protest cuts to these services. Councilmember Brian O’Neill was the only dissenting vote against the resolution opposing troop deployment.
In other city business, Council voted 13-0 to amend the “Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards.” The new rules allow employers to review candidates’ felony records up to seven years back, but limit misdemeanor reviews to four years.
“Philadelphia believes in second chances, and this legislation proves it,” said Councilmember Rue Landau, who sponsored the legislation. “By shortening lookback periods, removing the lowest-level offenses from consideration in alignment with state law, and clarifying the process for employers, we are opening doors for thousands of residents who are ready to work and contribute.”
She added, “Employment opportunities are essential for the well-being and reintegration of Philadelphians with records and help create safer, stronger communities. This is good for job seekers, good for businesses, and good for Philadelphia’s economy. No one should be defined forever by a single action, and today we are making that promise real.”
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Has job hunting as a Black Gen Zer come with more halts and frustration than expected? You’re not alone. Unemployment rates for Black and African American youth in Philadelphia remain higher than those of other racial and age groups.
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