Harris and Trump signs vandalized or stolen in Philadelphia neighborhoods

Wake up Philly, it’s Sunday again. Expect clear skies and temperatures around 60. Then prepare for shocking cold, quickly followed by a warm-up. This might make you sweat on Halloween..

More and more political campaign posters are being stolen, defaced and thrown away. Our main article takes a look at the Philadelphia suburbs to show how such incidents undermine public trust.

—Paola Perez ([email protected])

If someone forwarded this letter to you, register for free here.

In mid-October, hundreds of Harris-Waltz signs were found in some forests in Montgomery County.

The dump was just one example of several reports of theft and vandalism of campaign signs in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Both Republicans and Democrats The organizers reported an increase.

While people fiddle with signs every election cycle, doing so in a hotly contested presidential race carries an underlying hostility. This causes anger and mistrust and has even led to doxxing and social media. threats after they have been reported.

“It’s almost like a sign war here,” said Bob Mason, a Democratic committeeman in Levittown. He filed after signs were stolen in Bristol Township, as was registered Republican Denise DePaul after a man cut up and dismantled a Trump-Vance sign on her front lawn.

In other swing states, some communities have abandoned signs altogether to avoid controversy. Displaying them on private property is protected by the First Amendment. Stealing them is considered petty theft in Pennsylvania.

Reporter Beatrice Foreman investigates why are these signs so contradictory?if they will really influence the elections at all, and what Pennsylvania laws talk about them.

Other election news:

PS The Inquirer’s editorial board has endorsed Kamala Harris for president. This advice works regardless of the editor..

Five years ago, Lara St. John’s story of alleged abuse by her teacher at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. shocked the world of classical music.

Catch up quickly: In a 2019 Inquirer investigation, St. John accused her teacher and famed violinist Jascha Brodsky of sexually assaulting and raping her when she was 14 years old. Despite repeated reports of what happened to Curtis, Saint John was neglected by the institution. She later received a belated apology.

Since St. John came forward, the renowned violinist has heard hundreds of stories of women and men being harassed and abused. She didn’t know it was such a widespread problem.

Now she’s producing Dear Laraa feature-length documentary about what she went through at Curtis, as well as other schools and orchestras around the world.

“I need these people’s stories to be heard. … And I thought, “Well, look, I have cameras.” I can take a train, I can take a plane. I can do this,” St. John said.

Arts reporter Peter Dobrin spoke about the film in more detail: St. John’s struggle for solution and her renewed philosophy of life.

What you should know today

Pop quiz

If you watched Friday’s episode of ABC Shark Tank, you have to see Danielle Mahon introduce Topsail Steamer, her Jersey Shore seafood steam pot takeout shop.

What share of her company did the sharks initially expect?

A) 8%

B) 15%

B) 20%

D) 22%

Think you know? Check your answer.

Unscramble the anagram

Hint: South Philadelphia Arena, home of the Sixers and Flyers.

FLOWER RECTANGLES

Write to us if you know the answer. We will randomly select a reader to shout here.

Shout out to Lauren Fisher, who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Blue Cross of Independence. IBX’s Keystone Health Plan East had Pa. programs. Highest percentage of insurance claim denials last year.

Photo of the day

Today’s track goes like this: “I hope they write my name right in the newspaper/ Here lies the great imitator“

Between Halsey fifth studio albumLady Gaga latest singleand Noah Guy, raised in Philadelphia. new EPThere will be a lot of new music this weekend.

One more thing: Today is your last chance to stop by Conshohocken’s historic Italian Bakery. before they close forever. What is your order?

That’s all for now. Thanks for spending some time with me this morning. Julie will be back in your inbox tomorrow.