Neighbors Against McPenntrification has met with the City Solicitor and the Department of Health in order to get the site at 43rd and Market Streets cleaned up. When one of their members sent what was characterized as a bomb threat to Executive Vice President John Fry they got their message across.
What was later discovered to be a box of contaminated dirt from the controversial McDonald's site startled not only Fry and his office, but the entire Penn and West Philadelphia community.
By using seemingly violent means, NAM did not further their cause to rid the contaminated site of the highly volatile cleaning solvent. This was a step backwards -- it frightened residents and visitors and made the group appear as radicals.
In order to get the contaminated soil removed, NAM needs to be patient and continue to hold meetings with city and University officials and refrain from taking any actions of this nature in the future.
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