Teen demonstration touts nonviolence
Wearing "We are not a flash mob" t-shirts, 100 Philadelphia School District youth gathered in Rittenhouse Square Tuesday afternoon to draw attention to their nonviolence efforts.
The demonstration was brief, but the message was clear.
Wearing "We are not a flash mob" t-shirts, 100 Philadelphia School District youth gathered in Rittenhouse Square Tuesday afternoon to draw attention to their nonviolence efforts.
The Campaign for Nonviolent Schools is organized by the Philadelphia Student Union, the Philadelphia School District's citywide student government group and others. Its leaders took a pledge to reject violence, identify its causes, and stand up against injustice.
In the coming months, the teens plan to lead nonviolence training, come up with a platform on youth violence, and plan a nonviolence summit for later this year.
They have gotten support from School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams.
The youth - who had been dismissed early because of a planned half day - congregated from all sides of Rittenhouse Square. Someone gave a sign, and they organized into five lines, then removed jackets to reveal their matching t-shirts.
Teens stood in five lines, proclaiming themselves "thinkers," "organizers," "leaders," "artists" and "innovators."
They raised their fists in triumph, not in anger.
"We're not criminals," said Shania Morris, 13, an eighth grader at the Huey School, a protest leader. "We want to show that youth can be disciplined. The flash mob stereotype is not true."
Carver High senior Jamar Phillips agreed.
"We will not stand for violence in our schools," said Phillips.
Justin Carter, a West Philadelphia High senior, said that flash mobs have "painted us all in a bad light."
"The youth of the city are leaders," said Phillips.
Nearby, Center City resident Sandy Josephs stood by and applauded the teens. She was one of a handful of park goers who paused from their recreation to listen to the demonstration, which lasted three minutes.
"What a proud moment," Josephs said. "I'm proud that the students are doing this."
After Morris led the brief action, the students put their jackets back on and dispersed quietly.
A nearby police officer looked on in amazement.
"That's it?" he asked. "That was a good flash mob."