Activists urge Comcast to contribute toward tech education
About 80 activists marched Friday afternoon from City Hall to the Comcast Center to call on the cable and media giant to contribute funds to improve technology education in Philadelphia schools.
About 80 activists marched Friday afternoon from City Hall to the Comcast Center to call on the cable and media giant to contribute funds to improve technology education in Philadelphia schools.
"Comcast got the tower, but the people have the power," the marchers chanted as they proceeded west on John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Comcast's corporate headquarters.
The group rallied peacefully outside the city's tallest skyscraper and then delivered a sign to the company that read: "Comcast, we need affordable Internet for all, tech education in all public schools, protections for workers and consumers."
Specifically, the Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools and the Comcast Corporate Accountability Project called for Comcast to contribute as much as $35 million to fund a new technology teacher and modernize computer equipment in every school.
"The average age of a computer is eight to 10 years old. Is that acceptable?" asked Ron Whitehorne, a retired teacher. "No!" the crowd shouted back.
The activists argued that Comcast makes billions in profits and yet has benefited from city property-tax abatements, so the company owes it to the city to contribute.
"We don't want this as charity. We say this is Comcast's solemn obligation," Whitehorne said.
The city is renegotiating its franchise deal with Comcast, and the activists argued that the city should use the opportunity to make the company pledge the funding.
Comcast spokesman Jeff Alexander said that the company would not address specific demands, but that Comcast has a $1.8 billion beneficial economic impact on the city.
Annually, the company pays $130 million to Philadelphia in taxes and fees and employs more than 8,000 people in the city, Alexander said.
Lisabeth Marziello, chief executive officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, spoke later Friday in support of Comcast, which has donated millions to the organization.
The organization serves children living in some of the city's poorest neighborhoods, and Comcast's support has been instrumental, Marziello said.
"They are making a difference," she said.
