EVENT 9/30: Watch the debates at Goldstar Park - PhillyBlog

UncleCranky · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2004, 05:36 PM

http://www.southphillyreview.com/vie...le.php?id=2519

Quote:

Grassroots politics

The election season's first presidential debate will be broadcast in a local park in an effort to stir voter interest.
By Fred Durso, Jr.
September 23, 2004

Political debates always involve parties, but generally they're not the kind with live music and dancing.
That will change Sept. 30, when the Philadelphia Public Debates Project sponsors an event in Goldstar Park organized around the year's first presidential debate.

Sax players, food vendors and more will flank voter registration booths while President Bush and John Kerry square off on a big screen in the park at Sixth and Wharton streets.

But the debate group wants to go beyond merely signing up citizens to vote on Nov. 2.

"There's a big difference between registering to vote and actually voting," said PPDP cofounder Elinore Kaufman. "We're in an extremely registered city, yet only about 53 percent of us came out to the polls during the last [presidential] election."

Members of nonpartisan organizations will be on hand to answer voters' questions.

The League of Women Voters, one of PPDP's partners for this event, will distribute "debate watchers' guides," complete with worksheets, that encourage viewers to take notes during the broadcast.

For attendees that are too young to vote yet intrigued by the political process, PPDP will provide a "mock vote" that includes kid-sized ballots.

Information tailored to children also will be distributed to educate the future members of the electorate, said Kaufman.

The cofounder was inspired to host the park debate by a similar public event in New York City. The Coalition for the Homeless aired a domestic-policy debate in Washington Square Park, she said.

"We want to make the debate available to those who wouldn't necessarily have access to it," said Kaufman, who formed the PPDP over the summer. "We also want to convince those to watch it who otherwise wouldn't have watched it."

PPDP member Maria Alvarez said the event, which begins at 7 p.m., is an effective way to see the power of one's vote and the effect it can have on the community.

"I feel people don't vote because they feel they are one tiny person," she said. "This event is about looking out at the audience, seeing your community and realizing how these issues can impact you and your neighbors at home."

Kaufman also urges citizens to break away from the comfort of their living room for one evening and enter a public forum where the issues can be fully addressed.

"Being exposed to other people's views is helpful," she said. "[The event] is also a good way of getting people energized about the elections."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Given that 61 percent of Pennsylvanians ages 18-29 did not vote in the last presidential election, youth-oriented organizations will attempt to rouse their peers at the event.

For example, one group will distribute a guide with information on the candidates and tips to avoid voter intimidation and harassment.

Local politicians also will attend to encourage residents to become involved with issues that are closer to home.

"What we are also trying to accomplish is getting people interested in local politics that affect South Philadelphia specifically," said Alvarez.

Some are hoping residents will debate the candidates' issues and platforms among themselves during the broadcast.

"I think people will attend because this is already a pretty important election," said Joseph Hoffman, the First Ward's Democratic leader.

The Passyunk Square Civic Association has partnered with the PPDP to help organize the forum.

"Putting together an event where residents can become educated about the issues is a fundamental part of community involvement," said Christine Weeks, chair of the community relations committee for Passyunk Square.

Other partners for the event include the Friends of Goldstar Park and the Institute for the Study of Civic Values.

The family forum will offer activities for the kids while parents discuss the issues. Philadelphia-based bands will perform before the airing of the debate, and local vendors will sell food throughout the night.

While no indoor site has been named yet in the event of rain, Kaufman promises the event will take place no matter what the weather.

PPDP plans to broadcast the remaining two presidential debates in other locations in the city.

The overall mission is to change the way citizens approach the voting process, said Alvarez.

"[The event] is a celebratory way of looking at politics, which is something we need more of," she said.

I am gonna try to make it?

Anyother PBers heading down?

-UC

mikeg · #2 (**permalink**) 09-29-2004, 05:56 PM

I'll try to make it down there as well.

Sounds interesting

op:

SwiftLyons · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2004, 10:58 PM

found 5 or 6 lost political pilgrims getting off the rt57 bus on 4th and christian st.. had to point them in the right direction. they thought the debate was in the projects.

UncleCranky · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2004, 10:13 AM

I made it to Goldstar Park last night and it was a really cool experience.

Needless to say it was a Pro-Kerry crowd, which made the viewing more like the Rocky Horror Picture Show (with everyone yelling out stuff when Bush would stammer or say something stupid....that's alot of yelling :lol: )

I saw MikeG and Geoff there as well. Did any other PBers make it?

-UC

mikeg · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2004, 10:30 AM

I enjoyed the audience and raucous atmosphere as well. It was a great turn-out and made me feel very confident about moving to a great neighborhood next summer, when Jeff. Sq. is finished. Too bad they didn't put a porto-john out there though!

Bush's stammering, balking, and simplistic statements such as "I know how the world works," and "I know how Tony Blair thinks" and his misconceived perceptions of how his policies are affecting the world brought hearty jeers from this decidedly pro-Kerry crowd :clapping: .

Malloy · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2004, 10:38 AM

Its great to see that park being used for something good. 5 yrs ago, you would have been laughed out of the city for proposing such an event at that location.

Do we know where the next 2 debates will be broadcasted?

skroah · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 01:42 PM

Any update on if the fridays debate will be shown at the park? If not any clues. I watched the Cheney mangling at 10-stone and it might be shown there, it is a friday night though...I suspect many bars will skip it.

rlc · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 03:07 PM

Norris Square Park is hosting this debate I believe. i find it interesting that they failed to include a location where there is any Republican support (i.e. the Far Northeast or Roxborough). the last debate will be at a church at 48th and Baltimore.

skroah · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 03:30 PM

Sweet thanks. Hey I don't care what the crowd likes as long as it's showing. I like seeing all sides it's healthy, exasperating for sure but healthy.

I've no clue where that park is but i'll google it.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Squirrel Hill Falls Park	SurfDog	University City / West Philadelphia	15	10-13-2008 01:13 AM
Dog Run in Clark Park	SurfDog	University City / West Philadelphia	39	10-12-2007 05:49 PM
Movies/Music at Goldstar park	stinkweed	South Philly	21	09-01-2005 03:18 PM
17th District (SWCC) Article (watch groups work!!)	torts	South Philly	0	05-10-2005 10:20 AM
Spring Into Your Park: Saturday, May 7, 2005: 10 am - 1pm	mikeg	Events	0	04-25-2005 07:13 PM