Go Skate Day! Philadelphia 2009: Preparing for Battle...

The drums of war are being sound.

The cries of repression are being heard.

A chill is fills the air as a culture is being squashed by unjust brutality against the innocent.

Go Skate Day is almost here.

Philadelphia Weekly did what I think is, hands down, the single best article on skateboarding in Philadelphia in a VERY long time! While most articles on the topic deal solely with LOVE Park and the issues surrounding that, Philadelphia Weekly's Catherine Caperella dove deeper, pointing to a recent rise in acts of police brutality and unwarranted attacks on skateboarders by the police as well against skateboarders who were, according to the story, not breaking the law at the time.

I was out on Go Skateboarding day in 2007... it was one hell of a day! It was a lot of fun, a ton of energy, and I tried to break up a disagreement between the skateboarders and the police. I actually knew the officer from a few months earlier. They were really nice, really awesome guys... I was shocked by what I saw. I talked to them and told them we would leave City Hall. We were told by the officer you saw earlier in the video trying to break us up. I come in at 2:45:



I wound up getting a ton of support, and being a bit of a figurehead. Not perfect, mind you, but a decent day nonetheless.



So, that said, I have some tips for all the skateboarders in Philadelphia on how to act on Go Skate day:

• 1. Despite the rumors, no, you can not skateboard at Dilworth Plaza, LOVE Park, or the Municipal Services building on Go Skate! Day. They didn't change the law, they didn't give out permits... don't bother.
  
  
• 2. If you are confronted by an officer, be as polite as possible if they are trying to be polite as well. If they immediately start hassling you, ask yourself A) Am I skating in a place where I know its illegal and B) Do they have a point? If you're able to, simply speak in a calm matter and co-operate. If they become abusive or start by using force despite the fact you are not doing anything to warrant it, REPORT IT! Get a badge number, post it on a blog... get the word out about them! Simply fearing retaliation will do nothing morethan allow it to continue!
  
  
• 3. Try to hit the legal places, like FDR Park on Broad and Delaware Avenue. The best way to get there is to take the Broad Street Subway to the end of the line (Pattison Ave) and keep going South. You can't miss it. There's also "3-Block" off Broad and Girard. Trust me, you can't miss it on Sunday. Just listen and look for a ton of skateboarders. Also Cecil B. Moore and certain areas on Temple's campus.
  
  
• 4. Make sure you always carry a copy of the actual law, §10-610. Skateboarding, Rollerblading and Bicycling on Public Property! If any officer says your breaking the law and you know you're in the right, take this out. It states, and I quote, skateboarding is allowed on "public roads, highways, bicycle and/or skateboard paths, or sidewalks abutting private property....... Recreation Department facilities, which facilities shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Recreation Department." So if you get hassled for skateboarding on the sidewalk, you're in the right!

That said, have fun, be safe.... and make a lot of noise!


EDIT: I plan on doing something at 11AM on Sunday. Details coming soon. Wear a shirt and tie.