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Letters: Rizzo - Philly racist or champion of the people?

ISSUE | FRANK RIZZO Statue 'is deeply offensive' I moved to Philadelphia in 1971 to attend graduate school. Living my first eight years in a city where Frank Rizzo was mayor did not inspire civic pride. I watched his "law-and-order" regime treat with contempt the North Philadelphia community w

Black Lives Matter member Asa Khalif berates officers after a Klan hood he placed atop the head of the Frank Rizzo statue was removed outside the Municipal Services Building earlier in August.
Black Lives Matter member Asa Khalif berates officers after a Klan hood he placed atop the head of the Frank Rizzo statue was removed outside the Municipal Services Building earlier in August.Read moreAVI STEINHARDT

ISSUE | FRANK RIZZO

Statue 'is deeply offensive'

I moved to Philadelphia in 1971 to attend graduate school. Living my first eight years in a city where Frank Rizzo was mayor did not inspire civic pride. I watched his "law-and-order" regime treat with contempt the North Philadelphia community where I was attending school, provoke what would become the MOVE tragedy, destroy the nation's bicentennial celebration with his vicious response to possible protests, and instill fear among law-abiding African American and gay residents.

Having Rizzo's statue at the Municipal Services Building (his arm raised in what closely resembles a Nazi salute) is deeply offensive ("The right spot for Rizzo statue? Right where it is," Sunday). The city should move it to someplace where the people who columnist Michael Smerconish says were helped so much by Rizzo can enjoy it - and the rest of us can forget that era in Philadelphia ever happened.

|Rabbi Rebecca Alpert, Philadelphia, ralpert@comcast.net

A racist unworthy of symbol of honor

Former Mayor Rizzo's racism wasn't a minor character flaw up for "civic debate," as columnist Michael Smerconish wrote in Sunday's column. It was an irrefutable disgrace and horror; a federal judge found Rizzo and the city to have engaged in race discrimination in opposition to the Whitman Park subsidized housing development in the 1970s.

Racists can do some good; slave-trading capitalists even created a few universities. But statues in front of government buildings are for honoring those who embody our highest values. Rizzo's home neighborhood, where he may still be venerated, would be a fine setting for the removed statue.

|Jonathan M. Stein, Philadelphia

A champion of the people

I am a 60-year-old, lifelong resident of this great city, and I agree with columnist Michael Smerconish about the Frank Rizzo statue.

Rizzo was of Italian descent and also a lifelong South Philadelphian who understood the needs of people who had no political voice. From his days as a police officer to his election as mayor, he was not afraid to act on his instincts, whether you agreed with him or not. Rizzo had street smarts and guts.

Former Mayor John Street had those same attributes. Rizzo and Street were from the same school and had the courage to fight for their constituencies. Mayor Kenney can honor the legacies of both former mayors and provide leadership for all the people of Philadelphia.

|Mark Polito, Philadelphia, politomark@comcast.net