Turn on a TV right now. News helicopters, which I usually think are the biggest waste of resources in commercial news, are the only pieces of equipment that can accurately capture the scene at City Hall.
As I arrived and followed the signs guiding me to the entrance at the North Portal of City Hall, I thought there was just an unusual amount of rush hour commuters making their way to Suburban Station. It soon became clear that this was not the ordinary homebound rabble. The line, 4 or 5 people wide in parts, wound its way from the North Portal through Dilworth Plaza, around the western face of City Hall, right along the edge, squeezed past the southwestern corner and finally ended, or began, just past the South Portal.
I talked to a few folks at the end of the line and got their reactions which I'll share on video tomorrow. As I tried to get reactions specifically from the person at the very end of this line, 10 or 12 people instantly filed in behind. A security guard marking the start of the line with an intermittent and hearty "This is the Michael Nutter LINE!" told me that he'd put the crowd at 3000 people easily. Clearly this was the largest crowd ever gather at City Hall when there wasn't some kind of giant hoagie or baseball cap involved.
With my video camera and WHYY mic flag in hand and my flimsy "temporary media credentials" I was able to get no less than 5 different cops and security guards to let me through to the where the mayor was receiving people. Nutter was taking his time with each person who spoke to him. In the 10 minutes I observed this process, I saw the whole range of Philadelphians - as young as 2 and as old as 82, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, men and women. Some wanted autographs. Some, usually older ladies, had gifts for the mayor.
After shaking hands with Nutter, folks could move on to Commissioner Ramsey and Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers who were dressed in their Class A's.
I'll have more video from this event tomorrow but for now, here's some of Mayor Nutter with a certain Philadelphian who was also known for his convincing victories:
Comments (1)
That is fun. Very sweet that Nutter knew a famous Philly boxer and starts boxing at him, as the elder gent smiles.
Posted by Anonymous | January 9, 2008 5:51 AM