Children's event in Franklin Square interrupted by protesters

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Monday, July 31, 2017
VIDEO: Protesters disrupt Franklin Square event
Watch the report from Action News at 4:30 p.m. on July 31, 2017.

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- A children's event in Franklin Square on Monday was disrupted by a protest over the deadly police-involved shooting of David Jones.

Members of Black Lives Matter began shouting at former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell as he spoke at a celebration of Franklin Square's eleventh birthday.

The demonstrators vowed to continue disrupting public events until a grand jury looks at David Jones' case.

Surveillance video shows Jones being shot in the back while running from the scene of a traffic stop in Hunting Park last month.

"And we're saying now that no politician will be safe, no event, no press conference, we don't care what we have to do. We're saying as far as that's concerned, we want justice for David Jones immediately," said Asa Khalif, Black Lives Matter activist.

Rendell reacted by saying the protesters had every right to demonstrate.

"They have the right to say what they want to say. I wouldn't have disrupted a ceremony that was basically for children, but that's their call. But look, if they want to disrupt ceremonies as long as they're in public places, they have the right to do that," Rendell said.

After Monday's tense confrontation, the parents and children attending the Franklin Square party were moved inside to a different location.

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