500 Blacks Protest Philadelphia Violence as Whites Turn Backs

White residents came out onto their front steps Monday and turned their backs on about 500 blacks who marched through the working-class neighborhood in a protest against racial violence.

Hundreds of police kept watch on the mostly white Grays Ferry section, where racial tensions have been running high since the beating of a black family by a mob of whites and the killing of a white teenager during a robbery.

Angry words flew between some of the marchers and the onlookers, but there was no violence and there were no arrests.

“They’re turning their backs on the reality that Philadelphia has to become a city of brotherly love,” said Rasheeda Ali, who marched through the narrow streets of the row-house neighborhood with a baby in her arms. “They’re turning their backs on brotherly love.”

“Grays Ferry Residents Marching in Unity,” one banner proclaimed. Many marchers carried the red, green and black flag representing black nationalism. Others held signs that read, “Bring good to the hood.”

“They walk by here, they stroll, they want to start trouble,” said white resident Michael McBride.

Angry at the turned backs, many of the marchers shouted taunts. “White trash!” one black man yelled. “God loves us all, white trash!”

At one point a group of marchers rushed toward white onlookers, but police and community-appointed marshals averted a brawl.

As the march took place, an interfaith service was held a mile away. Among the speakers were Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Mayor Ed Rendell.

Farrakhan told the mostly black audience that they must oppose all violence, not just acts committed by whites.

The march and service were in response to the Feb. 23 beating of Annette Williams, her son and nephew by a mob of white men outside a Roman Catholic Church social hall. Eight men have been charged with ethnic intimidation.

A month later, two black men shot and killed Christopher Brinkman, the 16-year-old son of a white police officer, during a drugstore robbery that police said was not racially motivated. Two black men were charged.