Philly school-closings vote marked by protests, arrests and raw emotion

Neighborhood activist Pamela Williams, upon learning West Philadelphia’s University City High School will close, called Thursday night’s School Reform Commission decision a fiasco.

It was one of many emotional reactions as the SRC voted to close 23 Philadelphia public schools amid protests, tears and even arrests.

The hearing began at 5:30 p.m., but school-closings opponents packed onto North Broad Street well before then to make their voices heard one last time. Ninteen people were arrested as they attempted to prevent SRC members from entering the auditorium to vote, including American Federation of Teachers national president Randi Weingarten.

Below, find a recap of the story from start to finish, as told through tweets, photos and videos.

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