A privileged resolution recognizing July 5, 2026 as "Martyrs Day in Philadelphia" to honor the memory of five Philadelphians - Octavius Catto, Levi Bolden, Jacob Gordon, Moses Wright and Isaac Chase - who were slain while attempting to exercise their right to vote after the passage of the 15th Amendment. 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Introduced by Councilmember Landau on behalf of Council President Johnson.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Landau for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Ms. Anna Jenkins on the occasion of her retirement after decades of distinguished service as an educator and school leader in the School District of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Young.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please call up the next resolution.
A privileged resolution 16 congratulating Fab Youth Philly on the occasion of their 10-Year- Anniversary and honoring a decade of visionary, dedicated, and impactful work to empower teens and improve communities. Introduced by Councilmember Brooks.
Chair recognizes 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Brooks for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the resolution to be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please call up the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING recognizing Captain Dana Bradley and the officers and staff of the 39th Police District for their service, community engagement and commitment to public safety in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Captain Walter Burks and the dedicated officers and staff of the 35th Philadelphia Police District for their leadership, commitment to public safety, and service to the residents of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Captain Stuart McCoullum and the officers and 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING staff of the Philadelphia Police Department's 14th District for their leadership, service, and commitment to public safety and community engagement. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Anyone opposed? 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the next resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on implementing CPR and emergency overdose awareness for training for all City employees to strengthen emergency preparedness and situational awareness across City government. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on implementing mandatory conflict resolution and de-escalation training for all City employees. Introduced by. 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Anyone opposed? 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. The resolution's adopted. That's a good resolution though. I think all City workers and Council staff, and even members, should have conflict resolution mandatory trainings.
Chief Clerk, please call up the next resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating the 2026 Philippine Independence Week celebration in Philadelphia, taking place from 5/28/26 - STATED - 2ND READING June 6th to June 20th. Introduced by Councilmember Ahmad.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion on behalf of Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilmember Ahmad, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor please signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please call up the next resolution.
Council President, there are no further resolutions in my possession.
That completes our Calendar for today. Where you going, Mr. Harrity?
Any speeches on behalf of the Minority? Chair recognizes Minority Leader Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. Today I brought forth a resolution with Councilmember --
Excuse me just for one second. Member Brooks, could you speak into the microphone please, if you don't mind?
Today I brought forth a resolution 11 with Councilmember Lozada to honor and celebrate Fab Youth Philly on their 10th anniversary. Fab Youth Philly encourages young people to take the lead in creating meaningful opportunities for service development and employment. Their initiatives include the Play Captains program, which trains and pays teenagers to lead Play groups for younger children during the summer; a youth-run thrift store called Babbit; a successful program that addresses the lifeguard shortage in Philadelphia by training young people to become lifeguards. These programs are not only to the benefit of the young people who participate, but they benefit the entire city. And I'd like to thank Rebecca Fabiano, the founder of Fab Youth Philly, for 10 years of her vision and leadership. I'd also like to recognize my Legislative Director, Glen Forster, who is a founding member of another organization we are celebrating today, Philly Queer Fundy. When Glen told me that he was starting a new organization to provide immigrant defense training, raise funds to support marginalized communities and build a culture of solidarity amongst queer folks in Philly and throwing amazing parties, I was very impressed. And since then, Philly Queer Fundy has become a political home for hundreds of queer Philadelphians. They have raised over $20,000, trained countless patrons and staff members of the Gayborhood businesses on immigrant defense, and shown us all what solidarity looks like. As an organizer myself, I am thrilled to see this work advancing in our city and I'm looking forward to seeing what Philly Queer Fundy does next. With summer being around the corner, I want to share some of my upcoming events. My office is partnering with State Rep Chris Rabb on a shredding event in Germantown on Saturday, June 6th. I am also looking forward to a High Tea and Town Hall event for seniors that I am co-hosting with Councilmember Anthony Phillips on Monday, June 8th. All of my colleagues are invited to join me on the Parkway for Disability Pride on Saturday, June 13th. And finally, my office will be hosting the Ninth Annual Autism Playdate this year on Saturday, August 8th at Smith Memorial Playground. Thank you so much, Council President.
You're welcome. Speeches on behalf -- I'm sorry. Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today we passed a resolution I introduced a few weeks ago calling on the Trump administration to take Cuba off the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, and it urged the end of the economic sanctions on the island nation of Cuba. Cuba is firmly in the White House's sites as the U.S. has increased financial and legal pressure in the hopes of overthrowing the Communist Party political class that holds power in Cuba. They're now facing a severe oil shortage as well as dwindling supply of many basic commodities. 32 City Councils, including the aforementioned Pittsburgh, have passed resolutions calling for the end of the embargo and for removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terror list. Governmental bodies representing more than 60 million Americans have called for these demands. If you've been paying attention to the news recently, you'll probably see that Trump has been threatening military action against Cuba since the capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, as part of the Trumped-up Monroe Doctrine or Donroe Doctrine, as he calls it, designs for stricter control over the hemisphere. Many will remember that before President Obama worked to open up a better relationship between our nations, it was Jesse Jackson, the late now Jesse Jackson, who actually reached across that divide, another example of that international power, soft power that he exercised preceding that. Some will know that the towering leaders, like now deceased President Nelson Mandela, never forget the role Cubans played in the South African liberation struggle, the Cubans who paid with their lives for Africans to be free. Even further back, there are the iconic images of Fidel Castro's visit to Harlem with Malcolm X, where he and his delegation formed real, surprisingly lasting relationships with that community. My preferred Black leaders of the last century never let go of a robust, unflinching internationalism and those leaders always seem to be excited and inspired by the audacity of the Cuban people to defy the giant in their backyard, the big ole USA. And I have to say that it's inspired me as well. I'm not going to insist on how you feel about Cuba. I know that there are mixed feelings, and understandably so. But I honestly suggest that everyone learn about the nation beyond what this President or any President really has to say about the island and its people. Consider the injustice of possible military action against Cuba and then make your voice heard. Lastly, to the listening public, especially those seniors west of the Schuylkill, I want to invite you to my office's first Senior Resource Fair. I'm excited to be joining forces with Philadelphia Corporation for Aging this Saturday to fellowship with the backbone of our communities, the seniors who have given so much of themselves to our city over time. We'll have workshops with the Register of Wills and others, yoga. We'll have chair aerobics, we'll have a grocery giveaway, so much more. So please come out. Come one, come all. We'll be at the Firehouse Active Adult Center at 54th and Haverford, starting at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Sort of like Council does, 10:00 a.m. sharp. I also want to shout out my colleague in her absence, Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson, who will be serving seniors through her own fair on Friday up at the Northeast Older Adult Center, Philly. There's no shortage of opportunities to connect with your representatives. We are doing the work even as we slip into the summertime. But once again, this Saturday, 54th and Haverford, 10:00 a.m. Join us for a Senior Resource Fair. Be there. Yeah, be there. Thank you so much, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. Chair recognizes speeches on behalf of the Majority, Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, we know that public safety is not just about enforcement. There's so much more that goes with public safety. It's about prevention and preparedness, communication and care for one another. And that is why today I was proud to introduce and support and get support for our hearings to the Committee on Public Safety to examine mandatory conflict resolution training and de-escalation training for all city employees. And, Mr. President, if you remember last summer, we introduced a program at playgrounds and rec centers in the 8th District, calling it Playing It Safe in the 8th, and that was all about conflict resolution and de-escalating tensions before something jumped off in our recreation centers. And so, we would like to, based on how successful that was last summer with bringing trusted messengers out to our rec centers and having them resolve conflict among young people, particularly among young people, we thought that this was something that the entire city could benefit from with the proper de-escalation training given through the City of Philadelphia to city employees. So we're really excited about the possibilities and are going to be doing some work on that this summer as well in the 8th Council District, so it's very exciting. We should not assume that people are naturally equipped with the skills to be able to de-escalate a situation. We also have seen a situation where someone may be well-meaning, but may end up adding actually lighter fluid to a flame instead of water, and things getting out of control very, very quickly. And so, every interaction between government and the public matters, whether someone works at a recreation center, a library, a city office and sanitation, parks & rec, public safety. Employees deserve the tools to manage conflicts calmly, communicate effectively, and reduce unnecessary escalation. These trainings can strengthen workplace culture, improve security and service delivery, reduce violence and help create a healthier and more respectful city for both workers and residents. And in addition, we're also calling for hearings on CPR and emergency overdose awareness training for city employees, because we know that immediate action can save lives before first responders actually arrive. And when we were working on this bill, what came to mind was a lobbyist who I haven't seen down here in a minute, but he used to be a regular. I won't call his name out because I haven't spoken to him. But I remember him telling me his story that he was actually in a movie theater and had a heart attack, and he said the only thing that saved his life was that there was a nurse sitting in the row in front of him who knew how to do CPR. And so, it made me wonder what if any one of us was in the movie theater and was either the person having a heart attack or the person sitting in front of them, would we know what to do and will we be able to be helpful. And so, we think it makes sense to have this sort of training offered occasionally for all city employees, if we do it once a year, once every two years, you know, but something of that sort so that people have the skill set to be able to be helpful in case there's not a nurse sitting right in front of you. And also, I wanted to finally acknowledge the importance of the Ona Judge legislation, which is before Council and by formally designating May 21st as Ona Judge Day, the City of Philadelphia will forever honor the courage and resistance of Ona Judge who escaped enslavement while living in our city and fought for her freedom against impossible odds. We did a resolution last session, but this bill will immortalize the holiday every single year, ensuring future generations continue to learn her story and reflect on both the painful truths and enduring resilience that shape our nation's history.
One other thing I just wanted to bring to everyone's attention, which I just read about today, was awareness around the state fight for animal rights and welfare, which is going to be done through House Bill 1816 if passed, which is called Victoria's Law. This bill was introduced by Representative Jeanne McNeill, and it represents an important step forward for animal welfare, consumer protection and humane breeding practices across Pennsylvania. Victoria's Law is named after a German Shepherd who was rescued from a Pennsylvania puppy mill after nearly a decade of suffering and producing more than 150 puppies while living with a serious medical condition caused by irresponsible commercial breeding practices. Her story is heartbreaking, but also a call to action. This legislation will prohibit the sale of commercially- bred dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores, helping to reduce the demand for animals raised in inhumane puppy and kitten mills. At the same time, it promotes partnerships with shelters, rescues, and responsible breeders who prioritize animal health and ethical care. And I want to thank Representative McNeill for her leadership on this issue. And as you remember, we introduced a few sessions ago, and this body passed unanimously our Backyard Breeding bill to also cut down on irresponsible breeding happening here in the City of Philadelphia. So a lot of really good things happening, Mr. President. And I just really want to say thank you to my colleagues for all of their support. And one last thing is a big thank you to Captains Burks, Dana Bradley and Captain Stuart McCoullum of the 35th, 39th and 14th Police Districts. We thank them for their service. We work very closely, myself. And I know Councilmember Phillips works very closely with the 35th and the 39th the 35th and the 14th as well. They do an outstanding job and we just really wanted to give them their flowers. So thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips. Then Councilmember Rue Landau and then Jeffrey Jay Young.
I just wanted to be very brief. I just wanted to say congratulations. Last week we weren't in session and I just want to say congratulations to our returning State Senators and State Representatives, and also congratulations to our newly minted Congressperson, because there won't be an opponent in November. And State Representative Chris Rabb, at we are all working together to make Philadelphia better. I just think it's really important that when elections pass, it's important for us to think about what are people saying and what do we need to do to work together after an election to ensure that whatever agenda was pushed forward on that day, that we actually listen to it and we work together. So I think it's important for us to just think more closely about how can we find ways to take moments like Tuesday's election, as opposed to say, oh man, we didn't get this, we lost it. No, sometimes it's not a loss. Sometimes it's actually a victory for all of us to be able to think about what's next on how we can move Philadelphia forward. So I think it's important to announce that. So thanks a lot, Council President.
Thank you very much. Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. Today ahead of Pride Month, I introduced several resolutions honoring and uplifting the queer leaders, organizations and trailblazers who are helping create a continued legacy of queer excellence here in Philly. Stay tuned for even more, as I have a presentation here in City Council session on June 11th celebrating the awesome contributions of these leaders and more throughout our city's LGBTQ+ community. As we kick off the summer and the 250th is underway, it's more vital than ever that we let our new visitors know that the City of Brotherly Love, Sisterly Affection and Sibling Solidarity is here, queer and welcoming to all regardless of who they're rooting for in the World Cup. I'd also like to let everyone know that next weekend my office will be hosting an LGBTQ+ Resource Fair for Philadelphians from across the city at St. Luke's Church of the Epiphany in the Gayborhood, a lot of wonderful opportunities and resources there, and encourage everyone from colleagues to constituents to join. And finally, thank you, Council President, for the opportunity to co-sponsor with Councilmember Nina Ahmad your Quality of Life Town Hall tour that you've been doing throughout the city. The next one that we are doing is Tuesday, the church at the 22nd and Bainbridge. It's Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostol -- all right. Give this --
Anyway thank you. I hope to see you all there, Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at 22nd and Bainbridge. Thank you.
Thank you, Member Landau. Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I want to thank my colleagues for passing a resolution 14 honoring Principal Anna Jenkins of Adaire Elementary School. I'm proud to honor her for her years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the young people and families of Philadelphia. Principal Jenkins has been more than an educator, but a steady leader, a mentor, and community pillar in Fishtown. Her impact will be felt for generations through the lives she's helped shape, so much so that every 8th grader at Adaire, which is a neighborhood catchment school, got into their first choice for high school, every single 8th grader. So on behalf of City Council and our community, we want to thank Principal Jenkins for her leadership, compassion, and service, and we wish her a joyful and well-deserved retirement. As a reminder to residents in the Lemon Hill area, so residents in Strawberry Mansion, the southern portion of Fairmount Brewerytown, Spring Garden, our office and Councilman Jones also want to remind you that the Philadelphia Parking Authority is hosting a series of upcoming parking permit pop-up events to help neighbors prepare for the temporary parking changes during the FIFA Fan Fest Festival period. The pop-ups are an opportunity for residents to apply for their free temporary residential permit parking, ask questions directly to PPA representatives and get assistance with their documents, their visitors' passes, enforcement concerns and the overall process right in their own neighborhoods. m. , Parking Authority representatives will be there. m. , Parking Authority representatives will be there. m. , Parking Authority representatives will be there. m. m. on June 4th, Parking Authority representatives will be there to help you on the spot. This Saturday, May 30th our office is proud to host our first All About Youth Mental Health Awareness Conference at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center at 22nd and Cecil B. Moore. This is about creating a safe space and uplifting and empowering young people, ages 12 to 18 to focus on healing, self-expression, and community. Young people will participate in interactive workshops centered around (inaudible) work and designed to encourage wellness, confidence, and healthy emotional expression in a supportive environment. There was a statistic. There was a study done by doctors at University of Penn that said 1 in 8 Black boys at age 14 will be shot or be killed before they reach 25, 1 in 8 Black 14-year-old males in this city, and their study found that the first thing they talked about to reducing this was youth engagement. And so, that's what we are focusing on with this conference, and other things we've done throughout the 5th Council District is youth engagement to reduce these levels of gun violence that still plagues our community and the young people in our city. So as we continue to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, this conference is a reminder that investing in youth mental health means showing up for our young people, showing them that they are seen, supported, and valued and that they are never alone. So no registration is required. We encourage families and organizations from across the city to join us for this important day of healing and empowerment. We do ask that if you are bringing young people, that you stay with the young people throughout the day for the conference. Also, at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center, there is a survey going around. We have invested money to restore the playground At Martin Luther King Rec Center, so we have a survey. We want your input to see how this new playground should be designed. On Thursday June 4th, our office is proud to host an upcoming housing resource workshop from six to 8pm at Prince of Peace Baptist Church that's at 32nd and Berks bringing together housing agencies, organizations, and service providers directly to the community to connect residents with those critical resources.
We have invited representatives from PHDC, Turn the Key, PECO, the Water Department, L&I, OPA and Parking Authority and others will be available to answer questions, provide guidance and help residents navigate housing, utility, property and neighborhood concerns. As housing affordability and neighborhood stability continue to impact families across Philadelphia, our office remains committed to making government more accessible, responsive, and community-centered by ensuring residents can get real information, real assistance and real support all in one place. Yesterday we celebrated the completion of Triangle Square Park, which turned and transformed a broken and often hazardous traffic island into a beautiful green space at 24th and Green. So I want to thank the residents of the Philadelphian who supported this project. This was a true public-private partnership. Those residents put their own dollars in to ensure that this space gets transformed. I want to thank the Streets Department for ensuring that this work has gotten completed on time. And I want to take this as a model to use throughout our Council District to work with communities to beautify, you know, eyesores of spaces in our community. I want to acknowledge Councilmember O'Rourke for his resolution on Cuba in March of 2015. I had an opportunity to visit Cuba where I participated in a program with some law students from my law school, Rutgers School of Law in Newark and my professor, Charles Auffant, where I received a certificate in the Cuban legal system from the National Union of Cuban Jurists. And while in Cuba, I really learned about why their conditions exist on the ground. And it's a lot of propaganda that we were taught here in America on what Cuba is. But when you go there and you talk to the people on the ground, it's our fault that Cuba is the way that it is, to be quite honest, right. And so, I really want us to think about doing our own research, as Councilmember O'Rourke suggested, to really see why things are how they are. I mean, America is an imperialist country, right, so we have to understand and recognize that. And how ironic while I was on a Cuban beach, I was reading To Die for the People: The Writings of Huey P. Newton, right, so just let that sink in, and to understand why I'll say the American empire has such a bad rep across the world, right. We have to really look inward and look at our own political system and our own structures and our own leadership to see why other countries, other nations, other third-world countries have the problems and issues that they face because they just will not allow America to come in and dictate their own policy. We need to have countries to be free to choose how they want to be governed, to choose their economic system, to choose what freedom looks like for them. And last but not least, Mr. President, this past weekend my wife and I celebrated our anniversary. So I was going to say happy anniversary, babe --
I think I said congratulations while you were saying it, so let me hear you say it again so the Mrs. can hear you. Go ahead.
Yes. My wife and I celebrate will our university this weekend. So I want to say Happy Anniversary, Babe. And I'll see you soon.
As there are no more speeches, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Council President. I move that Council stands adjourned until Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Council stands adjourned until Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much, and especially Councilmember Jim Harrity. See y'all next Thursday. Thank you. - - - (Stated Meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.) - - C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. ________________________________ TANEHA CARROLL