Protesters follow Corbett, Christie through Philly

Tuesday, June 10, 2014
VIDEO: Group protests Corbett, Christie
Protestors followed Governors Corbett and Christie around Philadelphia.

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Outside the glass tower of the Comcast Center, teachers, parents and education unions protested against Governors Tom Corbett and Chris Christie.

The New Jersey governor was raising money for his Pennsylvania counterpart who's lagging in the polls for reelection.

"Isn't that appropriate? While they're feasting, our schools are starving," Fels High School teacher Joe Beech said.

"Our schools have suffered tremendously this year and it's not right. We can't do this day in and day out," Ziegler Elementary School teacher Stephanie Conaghan.

At first, the large group set up at the Union League, the fundraiser's original venue.

Apparently, things changed, so the people, many with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, marched over to Comcast.

"All of the districts are suffering under this governor's education budget and we need money," Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, said.

Quite a few Jersey residents joined the ranks.

Earlier, Governor Christie was in Camden talking education and the state's partnership with the Camden Promise program, it offers a variety of services to help children.

"Look at the cuts that are being made in Philadelphia. Look at the cuts that are being made in Camden. Schools are being closed over here, schools are being closed in Camden, Newark, Paterson, Jersey City," Camden parent Gary Frazier said.

Demonstrators staged a sit-in on 17th Street near JFK Boulevard prompting a handful of arrest.

Around the corner, Governors Christie and Corbett made their entrances and exits through the garage far away from the crowd.

"They have put themselves in a building where they can't hear the people they represent. We're upset here because the children are losing an education," Beech said.

Governor Corbett left the private fundraiser without speaking to the media.

Christie is the chair of the Republican Governor's Association, Corbett's biggest campaign donor.