Protest set to demand opening of all city pools
Community activists expect over 100 Philadelphians to rally in front of City Hall today to demand that Mayor Nutter open all of the city's closed public pools this summer.
Community activists expect over 100 Philadelphians to rally in front of City Hall today to demand that Mayor Nutter open all of the city's closed public pools this summer.
Facing a city-wide budget crisis, the Recreation Department says it cannot afford to reopen 27 pools this year
The Coalition to Save Libraries and The Coalition for Essential Services are organizing the protest.
The rally follows five smaller neighborhood demonstrations, the Coalition to Save Libraries said in a statement.
In November, Mayor Nutter said the city only had the funds to open 10 pools. After restoring some money in the budget and fund-raising by the city's three-year Splash and Summer FUNd campaign, the Department of Recreation had enough money to open and staff 46 pools.
Contact staff writer Naomi Nix at 215-854-2797 or nnix@phillynews.com