City of Philadelphia - File #: 000554

• File #: 000554
• Version: 0
• Type: Privileged Resolution
• Status: ENACTED
• File created: 9/14/2000
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 9/14/2000
• Title: Memorializing the conduct of both uniformed and civilian employees of the City of Philadelphia, the citizens of the City and those protestors who managed to deliver their messages without damaging property and unduly interfering with the rights of others during the Year 2000 Republican National Convention, held in the City of Philadelphia.
• Sponsors: Council President Verna, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Mariano, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Nutter, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Longstreth, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember O'Neill

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
9/14/2000	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED
9/14/2000	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
9/14/2000	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title
Memorializing the conduct of both uniformed and civilian employees of the City of Philadelphia, the citizens of the City and those protestors who managed to deliver their messages without damaging property and unduly interfering with the rights of others during the Year 2000 Republican National Convention, held in the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, When commenting on the conduct of Philadelphia Police during the Republican National Convention ("RNC"), Police Commissioner John Timoney was able to say: "I've been in this business for 33 years. I've seen lots of demonstrations. I have never, ever seen officers more cool, more calm, more self-assured of themselves"; and

WHEREAS, This conduct took place in the face of having streets trashed, traffic disrupted, property destroyed, personal taunts and physical attacks upon themselves; and

WHEREAS, By adhering to the Police Department's philosophy of "passive offense for passive resistance" police were able to keep protestors from turning peaceful demonstrations into organized bedlam thereby keeping Center City from raging out of control on the second day of the RNC by exercising restraint learned through months of training; and

WHEREAS, Although more than a dozen police officers were injured, numerous police and civilian vehicles damaged and nearly 400 arrests were made, the police remained "extraordinary under extraordinary circumstances" [Commissioner Timoney] and "conducted themselves with grace under fire" [Mayor Street]; and

WHEREAS, The police "kept control of the City by not losing control of themselves"; and that "[w]hen demonstrators took to the streets, police deployed in force, but always with plenty of command personnel to make sure officers stayed composed"; and "instead of clubs, pepper spray and gas, police...relied on patience"; and

WHEREAS, The people of Philadelphia remained composed during the turmoil resulting from demonstrations, praising the police for their conduct...