Election 2020
13 pics from outside Philly’s vote counting operation, aka the center of the known universe
Elmo drum line, CNN broadcasts, dance parties and dueling rallies.
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The Pennsylvania Convention Center hasn’t hosted events since March, thanks to the coronavirus. But on Thursday, the street outside the sprawling facility in Center City Philadelphia was anything but a ghost town.
“Stop the count!” shouted Trump supporters, gathered together behind a fence.
“Count every vote!” countered Biden fans, spreading through the streets.
Thousands of people congregated in turns outside the area where Philly election officials have been tallying mail ballots around in the clock since Tuesday, counting votes in what could tilt in battleground Pennsylvania. Mail ballots have been coming up overwhelmingly in Democrat Joe Biden’s favor, allowing him to overtake Republican President Donald Trump’s count and gain the lead in the commonwealth.
Supporters on both sides filled the street throughout the day Thursday and Friday.
Google Master Photographer Mark Henninger captured some photos on the scene, which he described as a strange festival “kind of like the scene in ‘Contact’ before Jodie Foster goes to meet the aliens.”
Outside the Convention Center, the crowds stretched for blocks on an unseasonably warm November day.
While TV cameras and news crews from around the globe jostled for position outside the door, a CNN correspondent stationed themselves several feet away.
A dance party to support the “count the vote” effort erupted on Arch Street, pulling in various Democratic elected officials like City Councilmember Helen Gym and Pa. Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler.
Trump campaign lawyers showed up early in the day to demand more access to the counting floor for observers.
Also sighted: a drum circle rocking out on Arch Street; bystanders distributing PPE and hand sanitizer.
Philly Cider Week is back, with two dozen apple-filled events around the city
Kenney administration hired no high-level Hispanic staff and fewer Black executives last year, city controller analysis finds
Radiant return for Feastival, Philly’s renowned food and dance fundraiser for FringeArts
Philly’s holding mail ballot drop-off events for the November election
‘Simmo the Savage’: Everything we know about Ben Simmons’ neon gaming sign
Indigenous skeleton discovered at Philly school, will be repatriated with help from Temple
Philly teens drank less soda after the beverage tax took effect, new study finds
All Philly schools are supposed to have a gender neutral bathroom, but they’re often hard to access
Temple University student diversity is increasing, but the proportion of Black undergraduates is down 40% since 2002
Remembering Temple education prof Trudy Moskowitz, who pioneered interactive learning
Krupa’s Tavern celebrates (probably) 100 years serving Fairmount
Gen. Colin Powell was the voice of Philly’s first talking pedestrian traffic signal
With protected bike lanes, sidewalks, and solar lighting, the Delaware River Trail is close — but won’t finish till spring
Should Philly mandate an annual cash infusion to the Housing Trust Fund? (Ballot question)
Should Philly have more flexibility when hiring city employees? (Ballot question)
Should the city charter call for marijuana legalization in Pa.? (Ballot question)
Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2021 November election in Philadelphia
Should Philly create a new department dedicated to managing city-owned vehicles? (Ballot question)
Ya Fav Trashman is writing a children’s book about sanitation workers and the power of clean streets
