Latest news with #Norristown
CBS News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
From a founding father to a golden toilet: protesters get creative at Pennsylvania "No Kings" rally
Hundreds gathered outside the Montgomery County Courthouse Saturday as part of the "No Kings" movement, joining voices across the nation and region to protest what they call a growing threat of authoritarianism in American politics. The peaceful rally drew roughly 400 people and featured speeches from local commissioners, state and federal lawmakers and the ACLU. The demonstration came just days after a press conference in Norristown, where families said their loved ones were deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "What's coming out of Washington isn't just noise or headlines," said Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder. "It's tearing our families apart, flooding communities like Norristown with fear." The protest featured creative displays, including costumes and props. Liz Kory, a 78-year-old from Plymouth Meeting, brought a golden toilet made of papier-mâché. "It's covered in house paint so it can handle the rain," Kory said. "I'm just so pleased that there are so many people here that agree that this situation has to change." CBS Philadelphia Others dressed as figures from early American history, including one man in a full Thomas Paine costume who said the country's founders never intended for power to be authoritarian. "Even though these are still the times that try men's souls," he said, "the separation of powers is still worth fighting for — not with muskets, but at the ballot box." CBS Philadelphia Protesters chanted slogans like "This is what democracy looks like!" and held signs calling for justice and accountability. David Bauer of Elkins Park, a 65-year-old rabbi, said the event served as a reminder that resistance to oppression remains strong. "Resistance needs to be visible," Bauer said. "We need to show America that there are more numbers who are fighting this fascism, this oppression, than there are supporting it." "No Kings" protest in Philadelphia Thousands of people also gathered in Philadelphia and stood in solidarity with the "No Kings" protest. After marching earlier Saturday, demonstrators came together at the Art Museum's steps for a rally where politicians, activists, and even Martin Luther King Jr.'s son, Martin Luther King III, spoke. Dump trucks blocked intersections while the speeches took place. Law enforcement officers continuously monitored the area on foot, by bike and in patrol cars. Event organizers called Philadelphia the flagship event in response to President Trump's 79th birthday in Washington and the military parade. Organizers said Philadelphia plays a foundational role in American democracy as the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, a statement once signed in defiance of a king. "I'm a history teacher, so this is where the country starts, right? This is where everything was signed. I think it's very symbolic. If the military parade wasn't in D.C., I would've gone to D.C.," said Laurie Markle from Audubon, New Jersey. "The people that you expect to stand up to tyranny are not doing it, so it's left to the people, as I think the founding fathers intended," another protester told CBS News Philadelphia.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- CBS News
Warrant issued for 3rd teen in connection with the Norristown, Pennsylvania, murder of rival gang member
An arrest warrant was issued for the alleged third shooter in connection with the fatal shooting of a man near his home in Norristown, Pennsylvania, in May, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Norristown Acting Police Chief James Angelucci announced on Wednesday. Jabril Morgan-Cook, 18, of Norristown, is wanted for first-degree murder and related charges, the release said. The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Tahaj Harrison, 20, was shot and killed close to his home on May 23. Office of the District Attorney Montgomery County. Norristown police received a ShotSpotter alert of multiple gunshots fired in the area of the 600 block of Corson Street, and according to the release, Harrison was found dead in the backyard of his home, which was a few houses down from the shooting. The DA said video surveillance showed three teens walking on Corson Street, shooting at Harrison then leaving the scene. The other two of the three alleged shooters, Kaleem Roland, 16, and Naseem Worrell, 17, were arrested last week on the same charges. The Montgomery County Detective Bureau and the Norristown Police's homicide investigation found that the murder of Harrison was targeted due to the ongoing feud between two groups that have been identifed as gangs, the Grimy Boys/6's, which Harrison belonged to, and the rival gang All Black Bandits/300s, which Worrell, Roland and Morgan-Cook belonged to, the DA said. Authorities described Morgan-Cook as 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous. The DA said if anyone sees Morgan-Cook, not to approach and call 911. Anyone with information about Morgan-Cook's whereabouts is urged to call Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3386 or Norristown Police at 610-270-0977.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Rebuilding hope as renovations begin of beloved bandshell Fire Chief's Memorial in Norristown, Pennsylvania
A beloved community landmark in Montgomery County is rising from the ashes, just in time for summer. Nine months after a fire destroyed Norristown's historic Fire Chief's Memorial in Elmwood Park, renovations have finally begun. The memorial recognizes the service of more than 20 former fire chiefs. But it also serves as a bandshell for the borough's summer concert series and July 4 celebrations. Crews are racing to complete the restoration in time for the series' first concert on June 29. Tru-Blu Band is scheduled to perform that day. Jim Hartman plays bass for M.A.F.I.A. (Middle-Aged Funk in Abington). His band is scheduled to perform at the bandshell on July 6. "We're super excited for it," Hartman said. "After the fire last year, we didn't know what was going to happen." Silence fell over the bandshell after flames tore through in August 2024. Investigators said it was arson. The fire wasn't just physical. It cut into the borough's spirit. "It's really a shame," Hartman said. "I believe the building was there for over 80 years and to hear that it got destroyed like that, again, it was a great thing to bring the community together on Sunday nights and have some music in the summer." While the borough promised to rebuild quickly, the process took time. Officials are hoping the summer concert series will bring a record turnout. "I'm just looking forward to coming here and hanging out with my friends while watching something fun," Serenity Hooks, from Norristown, said. With lawn chairs ready and blankets set to be spread across the grass once more, the borough is planning to heal through harmony.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Families in Norristown, Pennsylvania, speak out following wave of ICE arrests, deportations
Community members and immigrant rights advocates gathered Wednesday evening at the Reformed Church of the Ascension in Norristown to share emotional stories of loved ones detained — and in some cases deported — amid what they describe as a recent wave of immigration enforcement. Julieta Guadalupe Adán said her brother, 34-year-old Alejandro Serrano Adán, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Saturday and is now back in Mexico. "He's never had any incident with the law," she said through a translator. "He came here. He always had a consistent job. His main focus was to provide for his family." According to Guadalupe Adán, her brother came to the United States from Mexico four years ago to work as a landscaper. Though he was undocumented, she said he had no criminal record, but often gave rides to a man who she believed did. "I've warned him of this," she said. "He was somebody who, if you asked him for a ride or a favor, he would do that for anybody." Guadalupe Adán said she always knew deportation was a possibility, but said she's struggling to accept how it happened. "He was dropped off without any of his documentation — no passport, no information, no money," she said. Denisse Argurto, a community organizer in Montgomery County, said advocates have been tracking the number of local families affected by ICE arrests. They estimate that over 25 people have been arrested and at least five deported from Norristown since late May. CBS News Philadelphia has reached out to an ICE spokesperson for confirmation and is awaiting a response. David McMahon, a community organizer who works with families impacted by immigration enforcement, said educating people about their rights is essential. "People need to be informed of their rights — where they are able to actually successfully exercise them," McMahon said. "Especially in instances where people who are most vulnerable can't really take some actions directly, we can sort of be a public face and get word out that way." Over the past few weeks, volunteers like McMahon have handed out pocket-sized cards listing the legal rights of immigrants if approached by immigration officers. The cards include reminders such as the right to remain silent and the ability to refuse entry unless ICE presents a judicial warrant. Guadalupe Adán said her family is still reeling from her brother's sudden deportation — but she hopes speaking out will inspire others. "We do have value. We do have our dignity," she said. "And we demand respect — especially for our children."
CBS News
08-06-2025
- CBS News
2nd teen arrested in connection with fatal Norristown, Pennsylvania, shooting sparked by gang feud, police say
A second teen has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Tahaj Harrison near his home in Norristown last month, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced. Police are still looking for a third shooter. Naseem Worrell, 17, was arrested Friday night and charged with first-degree murder and related offenses. Another suspect, Kaleem Roland, 16, was arrested Wednesday on the same charges. In an affidavit from Norristown police and Montgomery County detectives, it's said that Harrison was killed just before 9:45 p.m. on May 23. Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert near the 600 block of Corson Street, where officers found Harrison unresponsive in the backyard of his home. Police said Harrison's mother was sitting in the backyard when she heard gunfire. Moments later, she saw her son exit the back of the house and collapse in front of her. Video surveillance captured three masked males dressed in black walking south on Corson Street before opening fire on Harrison, who was standing on the sidewalk in front of his home. All three appeared to fire weapons before fleeing the scene, investigators said. An autopsy performed May 24 determined Harrison died from a gunshot wound to the torso. His death was ruled a homicide. At the scene, detectives recovered a handgun magazine and Harrison's iPhone. Investigators say Harrison was targeted due to rival criminal gang organizations – the Grimy Boys/6's, which officials said Harrison belonged to, and the rival group All Black Bandits/300s, which Worrell belonged to. A news release from Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Norristown Acting Police Chief James Angelucci says that police are well aware of both groups. Detectives found Instagram messages from hours before the shooting between Harrison and Worrell about the ongoing feud. Authorities also found an Instagram post by Harrison that Worrell thought was disrespectful about the killing of a member, the DA said in the release. The affidavit revealed that after the shooting, Worrell, Roland, a third shooter and another person left and went to Delaware County by an Uber that Roland ordered to the home of a known associate. Anyone with information about the third suspect or the shooting is urged to call Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3386 or Norristown Police at 610-270-0977.
