Mayor Michael Nutter had to stop delivering his budget address Thursday due to a massive protest inside Philadelphia City Council chambers, but he's now delivering his remarks in his conference room.
Earlier, council adjourned its budget session amid what Gomez described as "chaos inside and outside council chambers."
"Mayor delivering budget address- I'm maybe 15 ft away I can't hear a word," Gomez tweeted shortly after 12:30 p.m. "Protesters screaming at piercing levels."
The mayor stopped his speech then got back at it briefly, but no one could hear him. Gomez reported that the police commissioner and council president were unable to do anything to stop the protest.
Moments later Gomez tweeted, "Mayor gave up on his speech for the moment. Never seen anything like it."
Around 12:45 p.m., council recessed.
It was after 1:15 p.m. when Nutter started his speech again in his conference room. He didn't acknowledge the earlier incidents.
Thursday's protests came after unionized city workers hit the steps of City Hall on Wednesday and blasted the mayor's administration over its handling of new contracts. The fight is mostly over benefits.
Nutter has repeatedly said the city can't afford packages offered by past administrations. Union officials insist the money is there.
A spokesman for the mayor said the unions were unwilling to address benefit reform.
The mayor's office says it's within its rights to appeal an arbitrator's ruling on the firefighters' contract.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
A Philadelphia jury is scheduled to start a fourth full day of deliberations in the case of a Philadelphia abortion provider facing multiple counts of murder.
The jury in the death-penalty trial of a Philadelphia abortion provider has gone home without a verdict after another day of deliberations.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
Several protesters are seen holding up signs during Mayor Nutter's budget address Thursday.
