To: James Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia
Philly: Remove the shameful Taney name from Taney Street and Park
Goal: We want to replace racist Chief Justice Roger B. Taney’s name at all city locations with that of slain civil rights’ hero Octavius Catto.
Why is this important?
We the undersigned believe it’s time to erase the name of bigoted Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney from public places like Taney Street and Taney Park in Philadelphia. Taney notably delivered the shameful Dred Scott decision that said people of African ancestry were not or ever intended to be citizens under the Constitution. Honoring him is like honoring John Wilkes Booth or Adolph Hitler. Plus he has little if any actual physical connection with Philadelphia.
Instead, we want to celebrate the life of a real Philadelphia hero, Octavius Catto, who did so much for racial justice here.
(And while the city will be honoring him with a statue on the apron of City Hall, it’s also important for his name to be prominent outside of Center City.)
This renaissance man, scholar, athlete, teacher, organizer, patriot and civil rights activist was brutally murdered on Election Day in 1871 during a particularly nasty campaign. His killer was acquitted.
Catto contributed his talents and finally his life to Philadelphia. So we are asking you to remove Taney’s name and rename both Taney Street and Taney Park in Catto’s honor – as a lasting demonstration of justice over prejudice in Philadelphia.
Baltimore and Maryland are both trying to distance themselves from Taney and move his statues from prominent spots. Let’s beat them to it by putting Taney in the rubbish bin of Philadelphia history where he belongs – and rightfully elevating Octavius Catto to a place of honor.
Instead, we want to celebrate the life of a real Philadelphia hero, Octavius Catto, who did so much for racial justice here.
(And while the city will be honoring him with a statue on the apron of City Hall, it’s also important for his name to be prominent outside of Center City.)
This renaissance man, scholar, athlete, teacher, organizer, patriot and civil rights activist was brutally murdered on Election Day in 1871 during a particularly nasty campaign. His killer was acquitted.
Catto contributed his talents and finally his life to Philadelphia. So we are asking you to remove Taney’s name and rename both Taney Street and Taney Park in Catto’s honor – as a lasting demonstration of justice over prejudice in Philadelphia.
Baltimore and Maryland are both trying to distance themselves from Taney and move his statues from prominent spots. Let’s beat them to it by putting Taney in the rubbish bin of Philadelphia history where he belongs – and rightfully elevating Octavius Catto to a place of honor.