Activists to rally a home of Eagles' owner

If you hit the Linc on any given Sunday, you're not likely to see a parking lot full of housing rights agitators. But when the city's broke, and the Eagles are fighting with the city over an $8 million bill, apparently it's time to party on Jeff Lurie's lawn.

ACORN, the affordable-housing advocacy organization, today announced a "tailgate for essential services" rally at Lurie's Wynnewood mansion Thursday evening, complete with hot dogs, wings a grill and some football (we're waiting for ACORN to appoint a beer-meister). They plan to bring a giant blank check and past due notice, according to the press release.

The city sued in the Eagles in 2004, claiming $8 million in unpaid revenues from luxury boxes at the Vet. The Eagles held out, seeking nearly $8 million for a canceled 2001 preseason game they blamed the city for, due to the ragged condition of the turf.

The two sides remain locked in litigation, and the Eagles have become a popular source of derision for their stance when the city is cutting services.

Just in case bashing Lurie wasn't enough, ACORN took the opportunity to toss Mayor Nutter under their bus. ACORN doesn't want Nutter to close any of the city's health centers, three some of which could possibly be mothballed to close city's budget gap.

"We refuse to accept the false choices presented by the Mayor," ACORN member Junette Marcano said in the press release. "We cannot and will not choose between our children's libraries, our communities' fire houses, and our seniors' health centers. Instead, we simply ask that the wealthiest in our city are made to pay their fair share."

It's not clear whether bitter Brian Dawkins fans will be allowed on the bus also, or whether Donovan McNabb will join the protesters to demand a new contract.

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