Protestors Block Center City Streets After DHS Firings
PHILADELPHIA -- About 500 people are blocking several key Center City intersections after Mayor Street fired two top Health Services officials on Friday afternoon.
The protestors are blocking all traffic near the area of Market Street, 15th Street and JFK Boulevard.
Philadelphia Mayor John Street ousted two top officials at the city's Department of Human Services earlier in the day.
The mayor has announced the resignation of DHS commissioner Cheryl Ransom-Garner, and has fired assistant commissioner John McGee.
DHS employees then walked out in protest of Ransom-Garner's removal.
The shakeup comes in the wake of newspaper stories questioning how DHS handled cases of child abuse -- several of which ended with deaths.
Dr. Arther Evans has been named acting commissioner of the department.
From 2003 through 2005, at least 20 children died of abuse or neglect after coming to the attention of the Department of Human Services, including 10 last years, the Inquirer reported last Sunday after obtaining department records.
Among the cases cited in the newspaper's review were a 2-year-old punched to death after the agency had closed a case involving her mentally disabled mother, who had talked of abandoning her; and another 2-year-old girl who was beaten to death last month, as DHS had been investigating an abuse allegation.
