SugarHouse Showdown More Composed — This Time
Although the demonstrations between those for and against the SugarHouse (or “SugarHell,” depending on how long you’ve been in the neighborhood) casino site on Delaware Avenue have been contentious, it didn’t turn bar-brawl ugly until this past weekend, when an anti-SugarHouse “peaceful” protester was, apparently, attacked by pro-casino rallyers. Last night’s protest at Delaware and Frankford avenues had its share of Fishtown bluster but didn’t come to blows, unfortunately.
The most interesting part was how, by sight only, you could determine which protester was pro-Sugar and which was anti-. The pro-casino folks tend to be the Fishtown lifers — some replete with various forms of calf tattoos, earrings, work boots and soft-pack cigs. The antis are your Northern Liberties young’uns. (As one pro-Sugar demonstrator pointed out to a scraggly bearded anti-Sugar: “You’ve been here since ‘92? My dog’s been here longer than you.”) Local photog Jonathan Rubin was there and posted his photo account of the event.
That’s what this all comes down too, really: If you weren’t in Fishtown during its really dirty years, you have no right to complain about a casino being constructed a butt-flick from your house. You don’t know real Fishtown riffraff, Mr. Ponytailed Man With a Stroller. The SugarHouse slot-mongers will be nothing compared to what it was like in ‘72.
Fishtown boils over SugarHouse [Inquirer]
CasiNO [StudioNine]
PHOTO: Studionine Blog
September 11th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
But we will be here long after you’re gone.
September 13th, 2007 at 9:09 am
This old timer vs. newcomer bullshit is just that, bullshit. I live on the closest street to the proposed Sugarhouse site in Fishtown, the “lifers” on my block are against it as are the newcomers. Whoever wrote this article doesn’t know Fishtown and the complexity of our community, period. There were a number of people born and raised and anti-sugarhouse at the protest, you just had to ask.
September 13th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Let me get this straight: You were hoping for violence at a peaceful protest and you feel qualified to explain how the pro and anti casino groups break down? Seriously.. who are you?
Perhaps you could make a visit to Allen street and explain to the retired truck driver with two black eyes and a swollen nose how great another fight would be for your blog?
We are fighting to save our homes and our neighborhood. We are not entertainment for sensationalist journalists who write about hoping to see an old-timers and newcomers fight in Fishtown.
Take a minute to really research Fishtown and the casino fight and write a responsible piece. Neither the pro nor anti casino groups in Fishtown need crap like this.
September 15th, 2007 at 10:12 am
And long after YOU are gone my children and grand children will have their main residence in Fishtown.
Philadelphia Mag’s journalists never like Fishtown for my existance on earth. Every word they spoke of the neighborhood and residence were of disdain.
If they only removed themselves from their expensive houses and condo on a Saturday morning they would find Fishtowners cleaning their streets.
As far as the casinos go, I am against them as well. I see nothing but trouble for the neighborhood. Pawn shops, prostitutes, traffic, transients. If I have to put bars on my home like the residents of center city I will be quite unhappy.
September 17th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Jethro, didn’t you move to Fishtown after the casino was announced?!?
September 19th, 2007 at 9:46 am
neither a pro-or-anti-Jethro comment, but a simple clarification of fact… Jethro moved to Fishtown before SugarHouse was announced
In any case, it’s also my experience that support and opposition can be found strongly in the neighborhood regardless of whether folks are newcomers, lifers, or somewhere in-between