Lawyer and West Philadelphia resident Jeff Curry announced this week that he is running for state representative in Pennsylvania’s 188th district as a Democrat in the May 15 primary. The announcement was made on Jan. 1 at the University City Arts League, where he addressed the crowd of over one hundred and fifty supporters, according to a press release.

The seat has been held by State Rep. James Roebuck since 1985.

Curry has been a resident of this district for the last decade. He and his wife Angela first moved to the district in 2007 to start and raise a family in the community. A father of three young children, Curry is running for office because he feels “Harrisburg does not reflect his family’s values of hard work, respect others, and equality and fairness for all.”  Continue Reading

The race for district attorney in Philadelphia has been one of the most-talked-about local elections in the country, thanks mostly to the candidacy of Larry Krasner. But the DA’s seat is not the only one up for grabs tomorrow.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 7). Go here to find your polling place. Remember, you don’t need ID unless you are a first-time voter.

Krasner, the civil rights attorney who has promised major reforms, is running against Republican candidate Beth Grossman for the DA’s seat. That’s getting all the hubbub, of course, but here are offices to think about (click on each office for links to profiles at the non-partisan Committee of 70):  Continue Reading

The Philadelphia general election is on November 7, and here’s an opportunity for West Philly residents to meet some of the Democratic candidates, including Larry Krasner, Philadephia District Attorney. A Democratic Candidates’ Night, organized by the 27th Ward Democratic Committee, will be held Thursday, Sept. 14, at University of the Sciences (Rosenberger Hall, 600 S. 43rd St).  Continue Reading

Philadelphians will go to the polls tomorrow (Tuesday, May 16) to select their party’s nominee for District Attorney, Controller and several judicial offices.

The District Attorney race has garnered national attention in recent weeks as outsider Larry Krasner, a civil rights and defense attorney, has pulled in more than a million dollars from George Soros, several endorsements and even a tweet from musician John Legend.

Krasner is perhaps the most progressive candidate in a field of seven Democrats, most of whom have pledged to reform cash bail and continue criminal justice reforms in a city that has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world.  Continue Reading

On Saturday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m., the MOVE organization will host a film screening and discussion at A-Space Anarchist Community Center at 4722 Baltimore Avenue. Howard Zinn narrates the documentary, “MOVE!,” about the 1985 bombing of the organization’s headquarters at 6221 Osage Avenue in West Philadelphia. Eleven people died and 61 rowhomes were destroyed.

MOVE’s Ramona Africa will lead a talk and Q&A after the film screening. The tragedy, which took place over 30 years ago, sheds light on state violence against marginalized communities, especially those dedicated to social change and liberation. Visit their Facebook event page to RSVP.  Continue Reading

The seven candidates running for District Attorney are scheduled to attend a forum in West Parkside on Thursday (March 16) from 9-11 a.m.

Candidates Teresa Carr Deni, Tariq El-Shabazz, Beth Grossman, Joe Khan, Lawrence Krasner, Rich Negrin, and Michael Untermeyer will discuss issues ranging from mass incarceration to police oversight at the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center (5070 Parkside Ave). The Business Association of West Parkside is sponsoring the forum.

Craig Ey, Editor-in-Chief of the Philadelphia Business Journal, will moderate the forum. This will be the first official event with all seven candidates present. Attendees will also have the chance to ask specific questions.  Continue Reading