Friend,
I’ve lived in Philadelphia for almost 20 years and one thing I’ve learned is we never give up. We don’t give up on each other, the city we love, or our favorite sports teams (though we may have some critiques in that case).
During these first five days of July, nine Philadelphians were killed and 26 others were injured, according to the Gun Violence Archive. We are living in a war zone–and everyone knows it.
Last night, so many of us turned on the news, horrified by potentially another tragedy, this time at the fireworks celebration in the birthplace of our country. We watched as Mayor Jim Kenney, in complete discord with the moment at hand, told the press, “I’ll be happy when I’m not mayor, and I can enjoy some stuff!”
Difficult crises require a mayor who is in the fight for all Philadelphians –not because it is easy but because they want to make a better city possible. By Mayor Kenney's own comment, he is not that person any longer. Tell him: now is the time to resign.
I understand it’s been a challenging two years. One that none of us signed up for. But as the Mayor of the 6th largest city in America, the option isn’t to wait out the time. This is not the first moment Mayor Kenney’s leadership has been called into question. Just a month ago, he was absent from a city in mourning after a mass shooting in one of the most heavily visited neighborhoods.
The mothers who bury their children in tiny caskets need a leader who will make sure their child is the last. Teachers who barricade themselves against doors to protect their students want a Mayor who will keep them safe in and out of school.
If Mayor Kenney is not ready to use every moment of his time remaining to end the bloodshed, we deserve a Mayor who will. And he can make that happen by resigning.
There is no room for hesitation in this fight. With each passing hour and day, we are losing more lives, and our voices must grow louder, in unison. Anyone who doesn’t have the capacity for that fight should step aside so other community leaders and stakeholders can carry that burden.
Join me in calling for Mayor Kenney to resign from his term of office so a new leader can tackle the gun violence crisis.
Sincerely,
Adam Garber
CeaseFirePA
