Vendors and shoppers came together in West Philadelphia's Clark Park for a flea market to promote democracy in Africa last Saturday.
The flea market supported the Uhuru Movement, a group that advocates for the democratic rights of Africans and holds that self-determination is the highest expression of democracy.
Peg Shaw, who represented the African People's Solidarity Committee at the event, described the Uhuru Movement.
"It's a black-led movement which organizes the committee for justice. ... We mostly target people in the white community to take a stand," Shaw said.
Shaw was pleased with the turnout as well as the weather ? the rain that had been forecasted never arrived.
"I think it's going great." Shaw said during the flea market. "Everyone came out and we've had a great turnout. Everyone's happy,"
However, it was not all smooth sailing for the event's organizers. There were problems with advertising the flea market "because the posters kept being torn down, but we kept putting them up," Shaw said.
The market attracted over 25 vendors, and families shopped for old books, records and DVDs as well as fruit, jewelry, shoes and clothing.
Andrea Roberts, who recently moved to Philadelphia, said, "It's just so nice to live where people come mingle in a public space. It's a real nice way to kick off the summer"
Of her purchases, Roberts said, "I got great deals."
Another shopper, Judith Peters, came out to support the community and was disappointed at the turnout, which she expected to be larger.
Massan Sokpo Csarves, a vendor at the flea market, frequents events like this and was pleased with the experience.
"I go to different places," Csarves said. "This one is good. I like it. It has different people."
Gee Toure, another vendor at the event, supports Uhuru Movement's cause but was unsure how well-informed the crowd was.
"It was a genuine fundraiser and the heart of it is a good idea, but I don't know if people know what the Uhuru Movement is about," Toure said.
Clark Park is a nine-acre triangle between 43rd and 45th Streets at Baltimore Avenue.
