Thousands of people will be protesting the repeal of the Affordable Care Act in Philadelphia Thursday as President Trump arrives for a retreat with congressional Republicans.
The executive director of the nonprofit Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement, Darlene Battle, is busing more than 100 people from the First State to the rally.
She said she wants to make sure the president and Republican lawmakers don’t repeal Obamacare without first presenting a replacement to the American people.
"They had eight years and they don’t have a plan now. And now they’re going to go have a retreat and come up with something. So I think they owe us American citizens some answers,” she said.
Battle’s organization works closely with Delawareans who would be most affected by a repeal of Obamacare. These are people who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but aren’t part of an employer health plan.
Battle said she would support a replacement for Obamacare as long as the "working poor" still have access to affordable healthcare.
Around 3,000 people are expected to attend the “Fight for Our Lives” rally outside Philadelphia’s City Hall Thursday.
A separate Queer Rage(r) dance protest is also planned for the city center.
President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and British Prime Minister Theresa May are all scheduled to speak Thursday afternoon at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, where the Republican retreat is taking place.
Philadelphia Road Closures:
The following roads will be closed beginning at 8am Thursday and will remain closed until at least 6pm Thursday night:
- 13th Street from Chestnut Street to Market Street
- Market Street from 11th Street to Juniper Street
- 12th Street from Chestnut to Arch Street
The public should expect rolling road closures during dignitary movement on Thursday.
Parking Restrictions:
The following parking restrictions will go into effect at 6am Thursday:
- 13th Street from Chestnut to Market Streets
- Market Street from 11th Street to Juniper Street
- 12th Street from Chestnut to Arch Street
PPA and PPD will tow any cars located on those streets to the PPA impoundment lot at 2501 S. Weccacoe Avenue in South Philadelphia. The parking restrictions will be lifted when the roads reopen to vehicular traffic Thursday evening.
Pedestrian Restrictions:
The United States Secret Service is establishing a secure perimeter that will limit pedestrian access to the following streets starting at 6am on Thursday:
- 1100 and 1200 block of Market – both north and south sides
- 12th Street from Chestnut to Filbert Streets – both east and west sides
- 13th Street from Chestnut to Market Streets – both east and west sides
Demonstration Information:
The Office of Special Events has received an application for a demonstration scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 11am – 3pm. Anticipated attendance is 3,000 people. Other demonstrations without permits are also expected to occur throughout the day. Philadelphians are encouraged to follow @PhiladelphiaGov or #PHLRoadClosures on Twitter and to sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia alerts in order to stay up to date on any road closures or delays that may occur as a result.
