Group plans ‘love demonstration’ to protest violence in Philadelphia

The year came in with a violent bang in Philadelphia. There have been over 30 homicides so far and Jamie Reese isn’t happy. “We’re upset about it. We’re mad about it. But getting angry is how we got here to begin with. So we want to know what happens when you do something nice for somebody,” said Reese. So, she’ll be helping to pass out flowers and home-made art projects in Rittenhouse Square this weekend with other members of Your(e) Beautiful Philly.Markers and paper will be on-hand for a collaborative art project, and there will be a photo booth to capture the love. If it all sounds a little hippie-dippie to you, Reese is fine with that. She just wants to brighten someone’s day a bit. “When you look at someone walking down the street and you both don’t know each other but you smile anyway — that’s a real thing that happens,” said Reese. “I don’t think that happens often enough.”  Tony Rittenhouse Square may seem an unlikely place to protest violence, but Reese says it’s where they think they’ll reach the most people.