For the section of Market East near the Loews Hotel, it’s just like the pope is in town. The streets are free of cars, and the police officers stationed throughout lend a security state type of feel.
Except this time the security is for Donald Trump, and even if you’re walking you can’t get within about a block of Loews Hotel, where he’s scheduled to speak in front of GOP legislators at noon.
The sidewalks are being protected by metal barriers and police officers. About four or five officers are stationed every half block.
The sidewalks are closed between 11th and 13th streets on Market and on 12th Street between Chestnut and Filbert. Loews Hotel is located at 1200 Market.
The closest you can get to even seeing the Loews? Probably the Starbucks in the Marriott across the street. Its large glass windows offer a direct view. However, you can’t use the exit to get outside on the sidewalk in front of it. The same is true for other businesses around 12th and 13th and Market. Their Market Street exits are not open.
Several protests are planned for the day. As of about 9:30 a.m., little had materialized. There were about 10 people holding signs on the southwest corner of 13th and Market.
Here’s how the perimeter looks on a map. The red lines denote areas where vehicular and pedestrian traffic is not allowed. The blue lines are where vehicular traffic is not allowed but people can still walk.
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