PETITION TO SAVE GERMANTOWN POTTER’S FIELD

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, WISH TO STATE OUR OBJECTION TO THE PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY’S (“PHA”) ZONING APPEAL FOR A PLAN TO BUILD 55 BUILDINGS FOR LOW INCOME RENTAL HOUSING AT THE SITE OF THE HISTORIC BLACK POTTER’S FIELD, STARTED IN 1735 AND LOCATED AT 301- 309 W. QUEEN LANE, FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

·       PHA PUT THE QUEEN LANE HIGH RISE BUILDING ON TOP OF THIS BURIAL GROUND IN 1955, AN ACT OF DISCRIMINATION AND DISRESPECT FOR THE REMAINS OF OUR ANCESTORS;

·       THE RECENT DISCOVERY OF THE GERMANTOWN POTTER'S FIELD, AS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY, IS IMPORTANT TO AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE AND THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.  WE INTEND TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO COMMEMORATE, PRESERVE AND HONOR THIS HISTORY AND HALLOWED GROUND FOR ALL FUTURE GENERATIONS;

·       PHA’S PLAN TO CONCENTRATE 55 FAMILIES IN RESTRICTED LOW INCOME RENTAL HOUSING IS UNACCEPTABLE UNDER ALL FEDERAL AND STATE STANDARDS FOR PROVIDING HOUSING TO PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES; AND

·     PHA’S PLAN CONTINUES THE BLIGHT ON THE COMMUNITY THAT WAS STARTED IN  1955 WITH THE BUILDING OF THE HIGH RISE. PHA SHOULD RELOCATE THE QUEEN LANE TENANTS INTO HOMES SCATTERED AROUND GERMANTOWN TO CREATE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.  PHA SHOULD NOT CROWD AND ISOLATE  LOW INCOME PEOPLE ONTO THIS SACRED GROUND.

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