Block by Block

PhillyCAM
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Block by Block is PhillyCAM's LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia's neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM's Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalists. Tune in for new episodes every other week, Wednesdays 5:30-6pm on WPPM 106.5 FM and phillycam.org/listen.

  1. 3d ago

    August 16, 2026 (Around the Block)

    Around the Block is a community news program from the Block by Block team at WPPM-LP 106.5 FM. On this program we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community – with reports from our team of community journalists and live in-studio interviews.  This episode features a story about efforts preserve the character of Philadelphia's historic buildings and neighborhoods from unchecked development, and an interview with Philadelphia City Council Education Chair Isaiah Thomas and Children First Policy Director Symbol Lai about pre-school pushout and the impact of only some Philadelphia schools offering Algebra I classes to eight grade students. Sophia Mattia and Jennifer Robnett hosted this episode, and Ahmed Hassouna was our board operator. Brad Linder is Radio News Managing Editor for WPPM. Peta Liu is Radio Operations Manager. And Allison Durham is WPPM’s Radio Program Director. Episode Transcript Jennifer Robnett Good afternoon. You're listening to Around the Block, a community news program from the Block by Block team at WPPM LP, Philadelphia 106.5 FM. On this show, we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community, through original reports from our team of journalists and live interviews. I'm Jennifer Robnett, Sophia Mattia and I'm Sophia Matia. Coming up, we'll be joined by Philadelphia City Council Education Committee Chair Isaiah Thomas and Children First Policy Director Symbol Lai for a conversation about two issues facing Philadelphia students and their families as they navigate the school system. Jennifer Robnett But first, Philadelphia is a historic city filled with historic buildings, but Philadelphia City Council is considering legislation that could alter Philadelphia's ability to protect these buildings by changing the way historic preservation works in the city, a group of community members and organizations have been pushing back, and have formed a stop demolishing Philly coalition. Around the block reporter Winter Schneider brings us this story about what's at stake. Winter Schneider Bill 251030 was first introduced in November 2025 by Council Member Mark Squilla, who represents neighborhoods bordering the Delaware River from Port Richmond all the way to Packer Street in South Philly. Even with significant pushback and multiple delays, Squilla plans to reintroduce the bill to City Council potentially this fall. Digging into this issue exposes a deep and familiar pattern for Philadelphians: the neglect and demolition of historically and culturally significant buildings, even when people come together to fight for their preservation. One example of this pattern is the demolition of the historic Saint Laurent's Church in Fish Town in 2022, after years of advocacy on the part of its neighbors and preservation groups across the city, Kevin Brett it goes neglected, neglected, neglected until they're kind of out of options. Winter Schneider Kevin Brett is the president of the volunteer organization Repoint Philadelphia, and one of the organizers behind the coalition against Squilla's bill as it stands. And what's there now? Kevin Brett Oh, they're building probably eight luxury housing units. I think you know, so that's just what Fish Town needs. Yeah. Winter Schneider Philadelphia's historical commission was established in 1955, a time when cities across the country justified massive urban redevelopment projects at the expense of Black, Brown, poor, and working-class residents who were often displaced from their neighborhoods in the process, whose history was worth preserving, was and remains a deeply politicized issue, and the commission has wielded its power to different ends over time. But even with its flaws, current preservation law still fundamentally serves as a buffer against demolition. Kevin Brett Ultimately, the commission can pretty much approve anything with good reason, but it at least is sort of like a stopgap that makes us think about things before we just go ahead with a wrecking ball. Winter Schneider Let's break down the law a little bit. Currently, even a nomination for historic designation protects a property by placing it under the commission's jurisdiction, which means that a developer can't do anything to the building while the commission considers the nomination. One thing the new bill would do is create a 30-day loophole before this jurisdiction kicks in, which would allow developers to get out of historic designation by irrevocably altering or demolishing the building first. Another thing the bill would do would be to disqualify the building from historic designation altogether if the owner even files a zoning application on the property. Kevin Brett The table is clearly tilted in one direction on a number of fronts. Winter Schneider Councilmember Squilla initially said that he sponsored the bill to address complaints with preservation law, not only from developers but also from individual property owners who felt like historic designation restricted what they could do with their property. Kevin says that there is a widespread agreement among preservation advocates about the need for practical solutions, but that this bill does not address that. We Kevin Brett do want preservation to be easier for people, particularly people who are lower income and maybe have fewer resources. We are still very big on this concept of what we call flexible districts. Some people call it tiered districts. The idea is that if you were to have a historic district, you would have varying levels of significance that would make it easier. Like if your building is on a sort of lower significance tier, then we're not going to care about the paint. We're not going to care about the windows. We just don't want you to like knock the place down. Basically, that's the type of. Legislation that we wish we were talking about. Winter Schneider Philly has been in a historic preservation boom over the last 10 years. Community groups have pushed for historic designation on properties throughout the city as a way to hold on to neighborhood history and identity. Kevin says Bill 251030 would put even more power in developers' hands while taking agency away from the public. Kevin Brett You're really like pulling the rug out from under these community actors, and just empowering sort of like economic interests or what what have you that don't have as much skin in the game on a lived experience basis. Like they many times they don't even live in the city. Winter Schneider While this might all just sound like a legal fight over buildings. It's also fundamentally about who gets to live in and use them. Sierra Freeman and Paul Brown organize with the Brewery Town Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition, or BSNC, which is part of the coalition pushing back against Squilla's bill. Cierra Freeman Historic preservation, whether cultural or architectural is definitely more than just the buildings themselves, the stories themselves. It's the ability for folks to to continue to live here. Paul Brown Philadelphians will tell you we are losing our spaces, especially we see it for the kids. They don't have enough third spaces to go to. Winter Schneider BSNC is organizing with other groups in the area under the Dope Neighborhood Project, an initiative to get Charleswood recognized and protected as a culturally historic district. This would protect sites like the Checker Club, once known as the Checker Cafe, a historic venue from the heyday of jazz in North Philly in the mid 20th century. The building is the last one standing on what used to be a whole strip of theaters and jazz clubs along Ridge Avenue, and is now owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Cierra Freeman That's a place that maybe it could get a marker, maybe it could be updated for community use. But like so many other buildings across Philadelphia, it's just sitting here, and we'll sit here as long as the powers that be deem it necessary to sit before it is sold to someone else. Winter Schneider The side of the Checker Club features a mural of the trailblazing black singer, actress, and comedian Pearl Bailey, who called the neighborhood home. Paul and Sierra shared with me that Pearl Bailey's own house, which is already in the city's register of historic places, was recently put up for sale on Zillow. Paul Brown There's definitely people who would live there, but they don't have the money to invest to build up the space to make it livable. So then you have to rely on the developers or corporations to take a stake in it, and then unfortunately you lose some autonomy in how you want to build out this space. Winter Schneider This example highlights the reality: the historic designation still cannot guarantee preservation, which also depends on investment of money and other resources. And still, the recognition and preservation of historic buildings is one tool in tracing a clear story that connects the history of the neighborhood to all the people living in it today. Cierra Freeman For me, and how it comes up in the work, is making sure that the history is as clear as possible, and as full as possible, as detailed as possible, to share that information with folks who have just moved here, so that that helps them to deepen their relationship with the neighborhood itself, as they build relationship with other community members, but also for the folks who have been here for a very long time, who we call MBSNC generational neighbors, it helps to reinforce the pride that they have in their neighborhood, the pride in the history of the neighborhood, which then lends itself to the pride that they have in themselves and their self-esteem as it's connected to their surroundings and their relationship to each other.

  2. Jul 19

    July 19, 2026 (Around the Block)

    Around the Block is a community news program from the Block by Block team at WPPM-LP 106.5 FM. On this program we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community – with reports from our team of community journalists and live in-studio interviews.  This episode features a story about events that took place around the July 4th holiday to call attention to the ugly truths behind the some of the nation's foundational stories, and a live in-studio interview with Chloe Harris, director of Starr Garden Playground and Rec Center, which is known for its LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC inclusive programming. Sheila Lorrett Emerson and Nikki Schaffer hosted this episode, and Allison Durham was our board operator. Brad Linder is Radio News Managing Editor for WPPM. Peta Liu is Radio Operations Manager. And Allison Durham is WPPM’s Radio Program Director. Episode Transcript Note: The following transcript was machine-generated and may contain some spelling errors or other inaccuracies. Nikki Schaffer Good afternoon. You're listening to Around the Block, a community news program from the Block by Block team at LP Philadelphia one hundred and six point five FM. On this show, we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community through original reports from our team of journalists and live interviews. I'm Nikki Schaefer. Sheila Lorrett Emerson And I'm Sheila Emerson. Coming up, we'll have a live conversation with the director of an LGBTQ friendly park and rec center in Philadelphia that hosts an annual inclusive citywide pool party. Nikki Schaffer But first, Philadelphia has been in the spotlight this month as the nation commemorates the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Of independents in the city that would become the nation's first capital. Extreme heat caused some events to be canceled and others to be delayed. But crowds of people still visited historic sites like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center and the president's House around the block's winter. Schneider reports that social justice groups from Philly and beyond also held events at these sites to call attention to the ugly truths behind some of the nation's foundational stories, and to call on people to resist the rise of fascism in the United States today. Winter Schneider On July third, the Trump administration got the green light to replace informational panels at the president's House on Sixth and Market Street that tell the story of the dehumanizing violence experienced by nine people that George Washington enslaved there centuries ago. The panels were replaced with others that whitewash this history and the early hours of July fifteenth, as reported by the Inquirer, activists, scholars and the city government have shown up on Independence Mall and spoken up online to denounce these changes. If the president's House has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration's nationwide attempt to destroy historical facts that threaten its agenda, then this is due to over two decades of organizing by the avenging the ancestors coalition, or attack, who pushed for the panels to be put up in the first place as a way to do justice to the memory of those enslaved ancestors on July fourth. I went down to the mall where coalition members and allies gathered in one hundred and three degree heat for attacks. Twenty fourth annual Black Independence Day rally. Unkown Sepaker Before libation to the men and women who fought and resisted enslavement to help free our people, men and women like Nana Harriet Tubman, Denmark Vesey, Nat Turner. We say. Michael Coard You might think, okay, we lost the battle. No we didn't. We still have options available. Winter Schneider That's attack co-founder Michael Kord providing an update on the ongoing litigation of the panels. Michael Coard The city can file for a reconsideration with that three judge panel. Let's say that three judge panel rules against us. Again, we can seek what they call an en banc hearing, which means instead of those three, the entire fourteen member panel, there's a third option. We can petition for what they call certiorari. That means you go up to the Supreme Court. And the final thing, there is a way, theoretically, to file a new and different and more expansive lawsuit that includes more stuff. Winter Schneider A week earlier. Michael Kord also participated in a public forum on Independence Mall organized by the group Refuse Fascism, that drew a direct connection between erasure of the past and the rise of authoritarianism and fascism in the present. Michael Coard You might ask yourself, why would this president want to erase the past? Why would any fascist want to erase the past? The answer comes from George Orwell and his response who controls the past, controls the future? Who controls the present, controls the past. Winter Schneider Each panelist at the forum urgently called on attendees to learn from the historical memory of people and communities who have experienced and who experience injustice at the hands of the nation. Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Raab, who is running for Congress, spoke about the need to confront the violence woven into our political system. Chris Rabb We cannot embrace liberation until we embrace the truth, no matter how ugly and complex it is. These systems of autocracy. Systems of harm are built into the very fabric of this nation. So whenever I hear people say, this is not America, you are not paying attention. I understand your fear, your frustration. But this is very much America. We have never been more America than right now. There is a genealogy of harm that has led us to this moment, and it's only because we have not had the moral courage to identify these harms, and to address them substantively is how we got to this point. Winter Schneider New York based artist Dread Scott says that attempts to rewrite history are attempts to control the way people think. Dread Scott The battle over culture and history is a central element of fascism. America was founded on genocide and slavery. That's just a fact. And whether you actually erase that, or whether you foreground that, it's really important to how you understand the present. Winter Schneider Michael Cord and Masaru Nakawatase a long time Japanese American civil rights organizer, who himself was born in a US concentration camp in Arizona during World War Two, emphasized a need for solidarity across group lines as our only recourse in this time. Michael Coard Many people thought that there were guardrails to fascism in America. There are no governmental guardrails. There's the people. And that's you. The only way that there's going to be change is through allies coming together. We don't have to have the same specific issues, but we do have to understand we have a common enemy. Masaru Nakawatase When we talk about solidarity come November and beyond. I think we're going to need one of the broadest national coalitions politically that we've ever seen. It has to be absolutely Overwhelmed. Samantha Rise To see the Liberty Bell. We don't have time to talk about the Constitution that was written by men. Three quarters of whom owned slaves at the time. Winter Schneider That morning, the People's Parade brought that exact message to life by declaring independence from billionaires. Samantha Rise Choose each other and fight for each other and organize with and for each other, for the world that we deserve. And that's why we're here. That's why we've shown up today. It's hotter than hell, but we're bringing heaven to Philadelphia because we know what liberation looks like. Show me what liberation looks like. Winter Schneider The march was organized by a range of groups, including Asian Americans United, Juntos de One Movement, No Ice, Philly New Sanctuary Movement, Philly, DSA, Jewish Voice for peace, and the American Friends Service Committee, only to name a few. Samantha Rise And when do we want it? If we don't get it. If we don't get it. Winter Schneider The march also featured what is being reported as the largest mobilization of veterans, active duty soldiers and military families in a generation, including the group's About Face, Veterans Against Fascism, veterans for peace and fifty over fifty one veterans. Brian McGinnis, a marine veteran who is running as a write in candidate for the Second Congressional District of North Carolina, had this to say. Brian McGinnis I am so against war. Nobody knows what it looks like. And veterans do. Veterans know war. Veterans say no war. John Amidon I'm John Amidon from Albany, New York. I'm also a Marine Corps veteran. During the Vietnam era, I cannot abide supporting genocide. We are all complicit with our taxpayer dollar. Samantha Rise From Philly to Palestine, Palestine. All our struggles intertwine. Rally All our struggles intertwine. Samantha Rise And from Philly to the Congo. Get ready. Rally From Philly to the Congo. Samantha Rise Got to go. Rally Billionaires have got to go got to go. Winter Schneider Collective liberation requires reckoning with our history and fighting just as hard for our future. And I am proud to have witnessed so many people who made that message reverberate within the historic sites of the nation's founding on the fort. Samantha Rise And no racist ass police Come on. No justice, no peace. No racist ass police Winter Schneider As we work to find justice for the historical and ongoing wrongs inflicted by this nation, the future that we want two hundred and fifty years from now depends on our presence in the fight for its existence today. Samantha Rise Say no more rich man's war Rally No more rich. man's war Samantha Rise Not at home. Not abroad. Winter Schneider A huge shout out to Samantha Rice on

  3. Jun 21

    June 21, 2026 (Around the Block)

    Around the Block is a community news program from the Block by Block team at WPPM-LP 106.5 FM. On this program we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community – with reports from our team of community journalists and live in-studio interviews.  This episode features reports from our community journalists about a program bringing soccer to kids in Southwest Philly, an effort to keep AI data centers out of the region, and an interview with Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation Executive Vice President Kate McNamara about development at the Navy Yard in South Philly. Alisha Miranda and Autumn McCann hosted this episode, and K. Michelle Watson was our board operator. Brad Linder is Radio News Managing Editor for WPPM. Peta Liu is Radio Operations Manager. And Allison Durham is WPPM’s Radio Program Director. Episode Transcript Note: The following transcript was machine-generated and may contain some spelling errors or other inaccuracies. Autumn McCann Good afternoon. You're listening to Around the Block, a community news program from the Block by Block team at LP Philadelphia, one hundred and six point five FM. On this show, we will explore issues in the Philadelphia region, from voices from the community, through original reports from our team of journalists and live interviews. I'm Autumn McCann. Alisha Miranda And I'm Alisha Miranda. Coming up, we'll hear about an effort to keep AI data centers out of Southwest Philly. And we'll speak with Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation Executive Vice President Kate McNamara about development at the Navy Yard in South Philly. Autumn McCann But first, Philadelphia is welcoming people from across the globe for the World Cup, but many communities across our city have been building a soccer culture long before the global spotlight arrived around the block, reporter Pok stopped by a youth soccer practice session in Finnigan Playground in Southwest Philly to find out more. P.O.C. In Southwest Philadelphia, the Donna Marie Foundation has partnered with Street Soccer USA to use the game as a tool for community building, helping immigrant and refugee families connect, adapt and find belonging. I first spoke with founder Aisha Campbell about how this personal family experience grew into a program that's changing lives through soccer. Aisha Campbell The foundation initially started from my sisters, Donna Marie. She was deported back to Jamaica, and we started that foundation to help women and families re-assimilate themselves when they got deported. What we initially found that is like, for instance, my sister Donna, a lot of them, they get deported. They still have family, children. That's back here. My family personally, my husband, my son, my kids, other kids. They play soccer and it's a part of family, brings cultural together. It brings people together. And that was a way for different children's, different immigrant backgrounds and for them to actually coexist and get to learn about each other's culture. So we help the families, the mothers, the fathers, but also when we notice that with the children, it's a different world. You coming to the U.S., it's a big thing. It's hard to adapt. And this way they can meet new children. It is a very worldwide sport. So that was a commonality. So that was one of the things that brought them together. And we started. My husband became a coach and we decided that we're going to actually push this program through. We saw what it did for our kids, so we wanted to extend it to other kids between West Philly and Southwest Philly. We started the program in West, and then we branched out to southwest because we actually started practicing and doing some training sessions here at Finnegan. And once we started here, kids would walk past. Families would walk back. They liked the program. They like the concept of it. And so we just started recruiting kids. So we have literally a melting pot. P.O.C. For the Donna Marie Foundation. Soccer is about much more than what happens on the field. It's about creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping young people feel connected to their communities. That vision comes to life through the coaches who work with these young athletes every day. Tsega McDermott I'm Tsega McDermott, aka Coach Taz. I'm with Street Soccer USA program director. So Street Soccer USA is a non-profit organization who use soccer as a tool to kind of engage with youth. It's geared towards underserved communities. We're trying to break down the barriers between pay to play and just giving kids access to the beautiful game. For the most part, whether you're a novice or a beginner, we have all different levels for that as well. We never really turn anybody away. These are more Recreational. And as you see, these are the more talented group. What we end up doing is building these travel teams. We give them a little bit more opportunity to do more things, and then we keep the beginners coming up that rank as well. Our aim is just to make sure that when every time you show up, you feel belonged, you feel like the opportunities for you as well and your skill set shouldn't really matter. It's just like give you opportunity to grow within this space. I'm from the island of Jamaica. I'm very passionate about the game, and my journey started with somebody giving me an opportunity, meaning showing up in a vacant space where we create moments and memories. P.O.C. While coaches and community leaders help create these opportunities, the real impact can be heard and the voices of young people themselves. From making new friends to dreaming about playing professionally. One day, these athletes are showing us what soccer means to the next generation. I asked several players. What do they love most about the game, and what do they hope to see for the future of soccer, specifically here in the city of Philadelphia? Farhan My name is Farhan. I'm twelve and I live in West Philadelphia. By playing soccer, like I can meet new people like at parks and stuff. Briana My name is Briana. I'm ten, I'm from Pennsylvania, so there's a lot of things I love about soccer, but I really love beating my opponent. I think that the future soccer would look like that. All of the contestants could get along with each other. No fighting, no arguing, no cussing, no whatsoever. Prince Um, my name is Prince. I'm fourteen years old and I'm from Southwest Philadelphia. Uh, soccer is a really cool sport. And in my country, Liberia, like the original sport over there is soccer. And everybody wants to be the best. Everybody wants to make it pro. You got to push yourself to become the best player. You got to push yourself to get the best out of your teammate. That's what I love about soccer. P.O.C. The players aren't the only ones who see impact. Coaches who spend time with these young athletes every week say that soccer provides structure, mentorship and a positive outlet that extends far beyond the game itself. Hear from Coach Alton, the glue for connecting the Donna Marie Foundation and Street Soccer USA. Coach Alton So with soccer being an option, it kind of keep them focused. And what better investment than invest in the youth, which are the future? P.O.C. While FIFA may be bringing spotlight to the City of Philadelphia, organizations working in neighborhoods across the city remind us that soccer's impact goes far beyond the stadium. For families in Southwest Philadelphia, the game continues to serve as a bridge between culture, community, and opportunities for the next generation. Block by block. Extra. Girl plc. Alisha Miranda After years of fighting to shut down an oil refinery in Southwest Philly that residents said was a threat to public health, a group of organizers want to make sure the next business to move into the neighborhood doesn't pose similar problems around the block. Reporter Nikki Schaffer brings us this story. Nikki Schaffer The South Philly oil refinery was built during the Civil War, and neighbors say it had a lasting impact on the neighborhood polluting the area for one hundred and fifty years. Shawmar Pitts is co-managing director of a South Philly environmental justice organization called Philly Thrive. Shemar was born and raised in Grays Ferry, and he says the oil refinery was a silent killer. Shawmar Pitts A torture, forever burning torch that just always burned bright. I remember specifically having a conversation with my dad when my mom had gotten sick with breast cancer, and it was like, What is it? Everybody keep getting sick. What is it? It got to be something in the environment. Nikki Schaffer Health studies conducted by Drexel University researchers have found severe public health impacts for residents living near the former oil refinery and disproportionate rates of asthma, cancer and heart disease. In twenty nineteen, an explosion and chemical leak destroyed the refinery and the owner declared bankruptcy following the explosions. Philly Thrive launched a campaign to shut down the oil refinery and call for remediation of the land and reinvestment in the community. Rebecca Valentine is a volunteer for Philly Thrive. She has a background in environmental, health and environmental justice. She says the land at the former oil refinery site is being cleaned up, but only to an industrial standard, not a residential one. Rebecca Valentine If you think about having a huge empty space, I think your thought immediately goes to let's have parks there, let's have housing there. But in this case, that land is so contaminated that it's not really safe for that. We want something that will benefit the community in some way. And so that might be good jobs that go not just to people in Philadelphia, but specifically to the people who live around the area. Something that's not going to contribute to more air

  4. Jun 11

    June 10, 2026

    This episode of Block by Block features stories from our community news reporters about a political activist's return to the US after being detained by the Israeli military while participating in the largest flotilla attempting to break through Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, what it takes for students to succeed when learning English as a second language, a Germantown group that brings gardeners together to share knowledge and seeds, a cafe and art gallery in Center City, and a group of elementary school students who took an environmental justice message to Philadelphia City Hall. Block by Block is PhillyCAM’s LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia’s neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM’s Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalists. Tune in for new episodes every other week, Wednesdays 5:30-6:00 PM on WPPM 106.5 FM and online at http://wppm.phillycam.org/. Block by Block season 8 is produced by Amadee Braxton, Abby Cruz, Anaiah Davis, Ahmed Hassouna, Cheryl Jones, Charlie Kline, Koren Martin, Sophia Mattia, Milan Parker, Dounya Ramadan, and Tafari Robertson. Amadee Braxton and Koren Martin hosted this episode, and Anaiah Davis was board operator for the show. Brad Linder is Radio News Managing Editor for WPPM. Peta Liu is Radio Operations Manager. And Allison Durham is WPPM’s Radio Program Manager. Episode Transcript Note: The following transcript was machine-generated and may contain some spelling errors or other inaccuracies. Amadee Braxton This is Block by Block, a community news program where we explore issues affecting the Philadelphia area with news reports from members of the community. I'm Amadee Braxton, Koren Martin And I'm Koren Martin. In the next half hour, we'll hear stories from our community news reporters about what it takes for students to succeed when learning English as a second language, a Germantown group that brings gardeners together to share knowledge and seeds, a cafe and art gallery in Center City, and a group of elementary school students who took an environmental justice message to City Hall, Amadee Braxton But first, a New Jersey-based political activist with ties to Philadelphia is back in the United States after being detained by the Israeli military. He'd been part of the largest flotilla of civilian ships to date that is trying to challenge the Israeli naval blockade that prevents humanitarian aid from being delivered to residents of Gaza. Block by Block reporter Dounya Ramadan traveled to New York on May 24th with other Philadelphians to welcome him home, and brings us this story. Dounya At JFK International Arrivals Hall, I waited alongside hundreds of people, including Philadelphia friends and New Jersey family members of political activist and former Philadelphia resident of seven years, Amed Ibrahim, to greet him and 14 other U.S. citizen flotilla participants arriving back home after being deported by Israel. Amed's organizing experience, which centers Palestinian political prisoners and resistance, started in Philadelphia, where he spent his 20s and became an important part of the Philadelphia organizing community, Ramar decided to embark on this maritime flotilla with people from over 40 other countries to challenge the Israeli naval blockade and siege imposed on Gaza since 2007, which has been condemned as illegal by the UN and rights groups since its imposition. Israel intercepted their ships, abducted them in international waters, tortured them in their prison ships, and at Ketsiot prison camp in the Negev Desert. While we waited for Amr to be released from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody, I spoke with Amed's friend, Philadelphia organizer Noor. Noor What's been really horrible knowing that your friend is detained and being held in these Israeli prisons with like hundreds of other like activists and flotilla like participants, Israel has even killed at least 10 flotilla participants since 2008, when the flotilla missions began. You know what we've seen happen to these flotilla participants pales in comparison to what Israel does to Palestinians in Israeli prisons constantly, Dounya According to Palestinian political prisoner advocacy organizations and the UN, over 9,000 Palestinians are in Israeli captivity, 1000s being held without charges, some of them being women and children and health workers from Gaza. And Amed's mother says part of the reason her son was on the flotilla was to highlight these abuses Palestinians have endured in Israeli captivity for decades. Amed's mother We're not only like advocating for my son; we're advocating for everyone else's in the Israelis prison. 9000 like prisoners, they've been like tortured, like raped, everything that you can imagine happening to them. So if we focus now on our children coming back home. We also have to highlight what's happening in Palestine. Amed Thanks for coming. Dounya That was Amed. He just got released from CVP custody at JFK Airport. While in Israel's Ketsyot prison camp, Israeli guards subjected Amr to multiple blows to the head. At their hands, he also sustained injuries such as a possible broken nose, nerve damage, and muscle tissue and rib damage. But even though Israel subjected him to torture and abuse, he wants to keep shining a light on the abuses happening to Palestinians every day. A week after Ahmed's arrival at JFK, he sat down with me to discuss his experience and how the perception of flotilla participants and what they've experienced in Israeli prisons is directly connected to how Israel views Palestinians. Amed Based on how they treated us and how they talked about Palestinians, they didn't see Palestinians as humans, they saw them as animals that they needed to exterminate. They even like threatened to bring us to Gaza, which was like ironic because that's where we were trying to go. But the way they kept threatening to do that is like suffer there with them and potentially die there with them. Dounya Ahmed explains how the conditions in the Israel Quetzyot prison camp he was held in resembled that of a concentration camp. Amed At one point, we were held in a small cage, where like 100 of us were like stacked on top of each other. We stayed in that cage for hours well into the night. International outrage and diplomatic pressure led to. Our release within days, but Palestinians stay for years and even decades, and Palestinians endure these systems largely in isolation and without media attention or any intervention or any kind of protection. Dounya Ahmed still recognizes that many might be skeptical about the several missions since 2008 that have failed to actually break the Israeli blockade on Gaza, but Ahmed explains there is more to this international mission that folks are missing here. Amed It's important to talk about how much this means to the people in Gaza. I've had friends of mine who live in Gaza call me to tell me like how much it means to them to see they weren't forgotten. The people in Gaza is they can't believe the whole world is watching, and no one's really doing anything. It may feel like it's symbolic, but it does mean a lot to them that people haven't forgotten about them. Dounya From Philly political prisoners like Mumia Abu Jamal to Palestinian Gazan healthcare worker Dr. Hassem Abu Sofia, who's now in solitary in Israel? Amed says, "Hear them and advocate for them. If you want to hear more from Amr, a longer filmed interview will be published on the YouTube channel Hate Five Six in the coming weeks. For PhillyCAM's Block by Block, I'm Dounya Ramadan. Koren Martin More than 15% of Philadelphia residents were born outside the United States, and many come from countries where English is not the primary language. As block by block reporter Ahmed Hassouna reports, that poses challenges for students who are learning English as a second language. Ahmed Hassouna For students learning English, success in school involves much more than mastering a new language, it can also mean adjusting to a new environment, building confidence, and finding a sense of belonging. At McKinley Elementary School in Philadelphia, educators work with English language learners both inside and outside the classroom to help them navigate those challenges. April Marinell What continent have we been learning about, or what country? Students Simba, April Marinell Zimbabwe. Where is in Africa? Ahmed Hassouna As a substitute teacher at McKinley School, and as someone who learned English as a second language myself, I've often wondered what it's like for students learning a new language while adapting to a new school environment. To better understand that experience, I spoke with ESL teacher April Marinell. April Marinell Since we're a K to eight school, I work with all of the grades. We have this year about 28 students who are identified as English learners, and so depending on their level, they either come to my classroom in small groups, or I push into their homeroom and support them there. Or students who are more advanced, the teacher and I use planning time to discuss strategies that we can use to help them. Ahmed Hassouna April says teaching English to students who are learning a new language isn't just about having them memorize words and grammar rules. April Marinell We have speakers of other languages who might be learning a different alphabet or a totally different sound system-that's one challenge. Sometimes feeling as though they belong, making friends, or feeling self-conscious. If they feel like they prefer to share in a smaller group or one-on-one, I think that can sometimes be hard to feel comfortable in a large group setting. Ahmed Hassouna Helping students feel comf

  5. May 28

    May 27, 2026

    This episode of Block by Block features stories from our community news reporters about a group of Philadelphians working to bring back the spirit of the early web by hand-coding their own websites, the importance of diversity among archivists and research librarians, a new Yemeni-style coffee shop in West Philly, and a Northwest Philly non-profit that connects people with nature, for wellness and educational purposes. Block by Block is PhillyCAM’s LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia’s neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM’s Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalists. Tune in for new episodes every other week, Wednesdays 5:30-6:00 PM on WPPM 106.5 FM and online at http://wppm.phillycam.org/. Block by Block season 8 is produced by Amadee Braxton, Abby Cruz, Anaiah Davis, Ahmed Hassouna, Cheryl Jones, Charlie Kline, Koren Martin, Sophia Mattia, Milan Parker, Dounya Ramadan, and Tafari Robertson. Abby Cruz and Sophia Mattia hosted this episode, and Charlie Kline was board operator for the show. Brad Linder is Radio News Managing Editor for WPPM. Peta Liu is Radio Operations Manager. And Allison Durham is WPPM’s Radio Program Manager.

  6. May 17

    May 17, 2026 (Around the Block)

    Around the Block is a community news program from the Block by Block team at WPPM-LP 106.5 FM. On this program we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community – with reports from our team of community journalists and live in-studio interviews.  This episode features reports from our community journalists about a mutual aid group providing free food to over 350 households in West Philly, a dinner party series that brings Philly creatives together, a new Yemeni-style coffee shop in West Philly, and a North Philly barber shop... on wheels. Milan Parker and P.O.C. hosted this episode, and K. Michelle Watson was our board operator. Brad Linder is Radio News Managing Editor for WPPM. Peta Liu is Radio Operations Manager. And Allison Durham is WPPM’s Radio Program Manager.

  7. May 14

    May 13, 2026

    This episode features stories from our community news reporters about an exhibit featuring the work of Philly photographers and media artists whose work documents decades of community resistance against oppression, a long-time Philly educator who opened a tutoring center after closing a charter school, a local non-profit working to bring a bit of Hollywood to Philly, and a social club helping provides young adults with a chance to connect... through crafting. Block by Block is PhillyCAM’s LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia’s neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM’s Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalists. Tune in for new episodes every other week, Wednesdays 5:30-6:00 PM on WPPM 106.5 FM and online at http://wppm.phillycam.org/. Block by Block season 8 is produced by Amadee Braxton, Abby Cruz, Anaiah Davis, Ahmed Hassouna, Cheryl Jones, Charlie Kline, Koren Martin, Sophia Mattia, Milan Parker, Dounya Ramadan, and Tafari Robertson. Ahmed Hassouna and Tafari Robertson hosted this episode, and Koren Martin was board operator for the show. Brad Linder is Radio News Managing Editor for WPPM. Peta Liu is Radio Operations Manager. And Allison Durham is WPPM’s Radio Program Manager.

  8. Apr 30

    April 29, 2026

    This episode features stories from our community news reporters about candidates running for seats in Philly's Democratic City Committee in hopes of changing the system, a remembrance of a massive protest in Philly during the country’s bicentennial anniversary - 50 years ago, an artist whose work brings past and present together, and why an award-winning cheesemonger pushes a cheese cart from table to table at one Philly restaurant.  Block by Block is PhillyCAM’s LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia’s neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM’s Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalists. Tune in for new episodes every other week, Wednesdays 5:30-6:00 PM on WPPM 106.5 FM and online at http://wppm.phillycam.org/. Block by Block season 8 is produced by Amadee Braxton, Abby Cruz, Anaiah Davis, Ahmed Hassouna, Cheryl Jones, Charlie Kline, Koren Martin, Sophia Mattia, Milan Parker, Dounya Ramadan, and Tafari Robertson. Milan Parker and Anaiah Davis hosted this episode, and Dounya Ramadan was board operator for the show. Brad Linder is Radio News Managing Editor for WPPM. Peta Liu is Radio Operations Manager. And Allison Durham is WPPM’s Radio Program Manager.

See All (68)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Block by Block is PhillyCAM's LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia's neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM's Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalists. Tune in for new episodes every other week, Wednesdays 5:30-6pm on WPPM 106.5 FM and phillycam.org/listen.

Information

  • Creator
    PhillyCAM
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 PhillyCAM RSS
  • Show Website
    Block by Block

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