Only in Philly,...

(link inserted into title)

With the upcoming Live 8 concert coming to Philly,..it absolutely sickens me to read s**t like this!

Only in Philly would you see urban knuckle-draggers like this trying to make a buck out of a CHARITY event!

Black vendors want part of Live 8

By CATHERINE LUCEY
luceyc@phillynews.com

The stage isn't up yet, but already Live 8 is turning into a big show.

A group of African-American business people stormed City Hall yesterday, demanding better vendor opportunities at the massive July 2 concert.

The star-studded concert on the Ben Franklin Parkway July 2 will feature acts such as Jay-Z, Destiny's Child and the Dave Matthews Band. It is one of a series of concerts around the world that day to raise awareness about African poverty.

"Maybe African Countries Should Hold Concerts for Black Philadelphia," read one sign at the demonstration which brought about 100 people outside Mayor Street's office.

A. Bruce Crawley, chairman of the African-American Chamber of Commerce, said the group is frustrated that contracts for vendors at the concert are going to cost $2,500.

He said the group wants to be allowed to hold a vendors' mall at LOVE Park that weekend without such fees. They held a similar event last December.

"The African-American vendors should be returned to LOVE Park," Crawley said.

Mayoral spokeswoman Deborah Bolling said she didn't know where the group got the $2,500 number from. She said none of those terms had been set by the Commerce Department.

Crawley said he was told that this is the figure being discussed.

So wearing shirts that read "If Blacks Can't Participate, Stop Live 8," the crowd chanted "No economic justice, no peace," in City Hall for about an hour yesterday.

(snip)

Crawley also promised that the group would be more vigilant in the coming days.

"From today on, there will be no discussion of Live 8 anywhere in this city that we won't be a part of," Crawley said. "And we will use this as a jump off point to have an ongoing conversation about black participation in this economy."

Medic's Musings:

Once again,..as you can see,.."Da Brothas and Sistas are running this city"