The Police Reform Working Group, a collection of elected officials and advocates working to bring accountability and transparency reforms to law enforcement, released the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s adoption today of their request for a state-level deputy inspector general aimed at improving law enforcement conduct, as well as Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s, along with the Fraternal Order of Police’s, support of a confidential database to track complaints against police officers: Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton joined Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw today to condemn recent acts of destruction across the city while encouraging peaceful protests for justice. "I'm proud to align with individuals who are exercising their first amendment right to demand change to an unjust system that has discriminated against black and brown communities for too long," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "However, blowing up ATMs, looting businesses and destroying communities does nothing but dissolve our message for reforms and changes the narrative of our cause." Following a recent rash of ATM explosions across Philadelphia, Shapiro announced the arrest of a man accused of selling sticks of dynamite on the street. "I appreciate AG Shapiro and Chief Outlaw's efforts to hold individuals responsible for coming into our neighborhoods with the intention of destroying assets, businesses and resources that benefit all of our families. It is very disturbing that these senseless acts are diluting the protests demanding the changes we need in the justice system immediately," explained McClinton. "We cannot lose this moment in history to fight for and achieve justice for all and prevent tragedies like George Floyd from happening in the future." Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton today is praising the removal of the controversial statue portraying Frank Rizzo, former Philadelphia mayor and police commissioner, which stood in Thomas Paine Plaza across from City Hall for more than two decades. She released the following statement: "While in office, Frank Rizzo constantly abused his power to discriminate against our communities of color, and his statue has been a constant reminder of the social injustices we have been fighting to eradicate for far too long across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the entire country. "The fact this symbol of racism and inequality is now gone represents a major win in our ongoing efforts to invoke change during a time we need it the most. "We must take this momentum and use it to pass the critical reform proposals we just introduced yesterday on the state and local levels to strengthen community-police relations. From outlawing chokeholds to requiring law enforcement to be mandated reporters of officer misconduct, we must change the laws to help our police departments ensure transparency and accountability from within their forces. "While I support the peaceful protests for justice in response to George Floyd's death, the time for talking is over and the time for action is now," said McClinton, Read more
In the midst of civil unrest across Pennsylvania ignited by the murder of George Floyd, elected officials from Philadelphia introduced a series of much-needed reforms aimed at improving community/police relationships. Read more
Details about what this executive order means for individuals voting by mail. Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton today joined state Sen. Anthony Williams, City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and other community leaders to address yesterday's peaceful protests and ensuing unrest across Philadelphia in response to George Floyds death at the hands of a white police officer. "Our hearts are hurting, and our voices are aligned with the young people and folks who started off yesterday as peaceful protestors, risking their lives during this pandemic to spread our message that enough is enough," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "We're rising up today to join in solidarity to say not only do black lives matter but to ensure we are upholding the humanity and promise this nation started with to provide justice for all." McClinton spoke at the Church of Christian Compassion this afternoon to solidify her commitment to rooting out racism and to remind Philadelphians that liberating communities of color starts with peace not violence. "How long will we have to wait for justice? We lost George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery all in the same month in which we spent 100 days behind closed doors because of the coronavirus," explained McClinton. "But systematic racism remains another pandemic in the fabric of this nation that we must deal with by passing laws to ensure we don't come back around to Read more
House leaders from the Philadelphia Delegation led by Democratic Whip Jordan Harris, Democratic Chairwoman Joanna McClinton, Philadelphia Delegation Chairman Jason Dawkins, and Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Stephen Kinsey, today applauded the passage of legislation that would deliver $2.6 billion of federal coronavirus aid to Pennsylvania’s hardest hit communities and help small businesses, schools and seniors. Read more
In her ongoing effort to keep her communities safe from the COVID-19 virus, state Rep. Joanna McClinton helped secure and deliver 1,000 protective face masks to a senior home in the Cobbs Creek section of West Philadelphia. McClinton said the masks were provided by two donors from Taiwan, Chun Hwai Tom Su and Sandy Su, and distributed Wednesday to residents at Walnut Park Plaza. "Our wisest neighbors remain highly susceptible to this coronavirus, and these masks are critical in not only protecting them, but also their loved ones, friends and anyone else they come in contact with," explained McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. McClinton also worked with officials in Taiwan last month to provide personal protective equipment for the Black Doctors Consortium to aid in its efforts to conduct free COVID-19 testing in communities of color. "I have been fortunate enough to connect with dedicated and passionate individuals in Taiwan who understand the dire situation the commonwealth is facing and have been extremely accommodating in contributing PPE to Pennsylvanians who need it the most," McClinton said. Earlier this month, McClinton joined: House Democratic Whip Jordan Harris and other colleagues to secure 100,000 face Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton is joining her Democratic colleagues in calling for answers after House Republican leaders kept secret that one of their members tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. She released the following statement: “First, I am relieved to hear Representative Andrew Lewis has recovered and that the other House Republicans in self-quarantine appear to be doing well also,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “However, the audacity and severity of this entire situation cannot be overstated. “Deliberate actions were taken to keep this diagnosis a secret from members and staff who work near individuals who were infected – or exposed to – COVID-19. I am appalled that these careless acts have now put the health of our fellow legislators, their staff, their loved ones and anyone else they've come in contact with in jeopardy. “With all we know about the damaging effects of COVID-19, it is disheartening to know that we have some who would still report to the Capitol, fail to engage in social distancing and face-masking, and make a mockery of a virus that has claimed the lives of over 100,000 Americans. “I stand with my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus and even some in the House Republican Caucus to demand answers – who knew what and when, Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton teamed up with state Sen. Anthony Williams and Aetna to deliver self-care kits aimed at keeping seniors in Southwest Philadelphia safe from the COVID-19 virus. McClinton helped drop-off personal protective equipment, including masks and gloves, along with hand sanitizer and thermometers Tuesday to 65 residents at Paschall Senior Apartments, which is an independent senior living facility. "This coronavirus continues putting the lives of our most vulnerable populations at risk, and we have a responsibility to connect our wisest neighbors with the care and tools they need to make it through this health crisis safely," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "These materials will go a long way in helping older Pennsylvanians protect themselves, loved ones and others around them." 65 additional kits were also distributed at the Hardy Williams Veterans Housing Center. "This kind of collaborative effort is critical in acquiring resources, providing relief and moving our communities past this pandemic," McClinton said. McClinton recently joined House Democratic Whip Jordan Harris and other colleagues to secure 100,000 face masks for front-line workers in Philadelphia. McClinton also worked with officials in Taiwan last month Read more
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I want to connect you with the resources available to help you safely cope with this COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
This crisis shines yet another light on the inequality African American communities have been facing for longer than my own lifetime. Read more
House and Senate Democrats wrote a letter urging the state Supreme Court to protect residents from evictions and foreclosure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Calling it an example of working together for the greater good of Philadelphia, House leaders from the Philadelphia Delegation led by Democratic Whip Jordan Harris, Democratic Chairwoman Joanna McClinton, Philadelphia Delegation Chairman Jason Dawkins, and Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Stephen Kinsey, announced today a partnership with Lowe’s that has delivered 100,000 essential face masks to frontline workers in Philadelphia. Read more
With Pennsylvania's primary election coming up on June 2, 2020, state Rep. Joanna McClinton is reminding Pennsylvanians to vote safely and securely by using a mail-in ballot. She lays out the application process. Read more
From the stay-at-home order being extended to an update about evictions, check out the latest COVID-19 updates from the week of May 4. Read more
Philadelphia is launching an assistance program aimed at helping those who have lost income because of the coronavirus pay their rent. Read more
With a record number of Pennsylvanians filing jobless claims, state Rep. Joanna McClinton and Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier hosted an online meeting Thursday to inform the public about unemployment assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. "This pandemic has cost many of our neighbors their jobs, leaving them struggling to provide for their family," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "Councilmember Gauthier and I share the same commitment to ensure our communities know there is help out there and where to find it. We will continue working together to connect them with critical information to help get them through these unprecedented times." Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak fielded questions from participants about applying for unemployment compensation and provided various updates, including: The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance website is fully operational and available for self-employed individuals, independent contractors, gig workers and those who otherwise don't qualify for traditional unemployment compensation to begin filing their weekly certification. More staff has been hired to help handle the influx of unemployment claims. There is a job portal available with current employment opportunities during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
From new tips to file for unemployment benefits to the mental health help available during this crisis, check out important COVID-19 updates from the week of April 27. Read more
With a record number of Pennsylvanians filing for unemployment benefits because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I'm co-hosting a virtual town hall to make sure you understand the process. Join Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and me Thursday, May 7, from 6-7p.m to learn the ins and outs of filing a claim, share your concerns and ask the secretary of the Pa. Department of Labor and Industry questions. If you're interested, please click here to sign up. If you can't access the discussion online, you can call in on your phone by dialing this number: 1-301-715-8592. Read more
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