Dueling Demonstrations Outside Philadelphia's Mail-in Ballot Counting Center
A large "Count the Vote" party has formed outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center as Philadelphia continues to tally a massive number of mail-in ballots
NBC10’s Aaron Baskerville gives you a view from above as two groups face off outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Two boisterous groups amassed outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City Philadelphia on Thursday as civil servants inch closer to finishing counting mail-in ballots.
Standing at 12th and Arch streets and separated by police barricades, the dueling rallies for and against finishing counting legally-casted votes has carried on for hours.
On the north side of the block, a few dozen Donald Trump supporters could be heard calling for the count to stop. Several times during the day, they were joined by members of the Trump campaign, including Trump senior campaign advisor Corey Lewandowski and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Trump allies were in the city to file a flurry of legal challenges against city and state voting officials.
Across the street, outside the famed Reading Terminal Market, scores of "Count the Vote" protesters loudly sang, danced and celebrated democracy at work. Demonstrators supporting this cause handily outnumbers the other side. Organizers sent text messages to registered voters in Philadelphia inviting people to join "a joyful party."
Former Vice President Joe Biden said once again on Thursday that every vote must be counted.
NBC10 journalists at the demonstrations throughout the day said there have been tense moments with yelling between the groups, but that both sides have been peaceful. There is a sizable Philadelphia police presence at the site.
More than 358,000 mail-in ballots were cast in Philadelphia for the 2020 general election and the city is able to process around 10,000 an hour. Pennsylvania election officials were not able to pre-canvass the votes – basically take them out of the envelope and get them ready for scanning – until Election Day morning because of the election code.
Live Election Results
Source: AP
The counting was briefly halted Thursday because of one of the Trump lawsuits, but resumed within an hour. Trump led in Pennsylvania on Election Day with a large number of Republicans choosing to vote in person. But his lead has steadily declined as mail-in ballots have been counted. The Biden campaign maintains they can win Pennsylvania and ultimately the presidency.
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: People participate in a protest in support of counting all votes as the election in Pennsylvania is still remains too close to call on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Bloomberg
Demonstrators wearing protective masks dance at a protest in front of the Convention Center during the 2020 Presidential election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2020. Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar said she believes that the “overwhelming majority” of what she estimates to be 550,000 remaining ballots will be counted by day’s end. Photographer: Jennifer Huxta/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bloomberg
a demonstrator wearing a protective mask holds a “Count Every Vote” signs at a protest in front of the Convention Center during the 2020 Presidential election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2020. Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar said she believes that the “overwhelming majority” of what she estimates to be 550,000 remaining ballots will be counted by day’s end. Photographer: Jennifer Huxta/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bloomberg
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the Convention Center, where votes are being counted, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. Democratic nominee Joe Biden is closing in on the 270 electoral votes he needs to win the presidency, while Trump’s path to re-election has narrowed. Photographer: Jennifer Huxta/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bloomberg
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the Convention Center, where votes are being counted, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. Democratic nominee Joe Biden is closing in on the 270 electoral votes he needs to win the presidency, while Trump’s path to re-election has narrowed. Photographer: Jennifer Huxta/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: A police officer stands in front of people participating in a protest in support of counting all votes as the presidential election in Pennsylvania is still too close to call on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the presidential election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Former campaign adviser of U.S. President Donald Trump, Corey Lewandowski (L) and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi speak to the media about a court order giving President Trump’s campaign access to observe vote counting operations on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the presidential election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi speak to the media about a court order giving President Trump’s campaign access to observe vote counting operations on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the presidential election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: People participate in a protest in support of counting all votes as the election in Pennsylvania is still remains too close to call on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: A woman participates in a protest in support of counting all votes as the election in Pennsylvania is still remains too close to call on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: A supporter of U.S. president Donald Trump listens to a man using a load speaker and protesting in support of counting all votes as the presidential election in Pennsylvania still remains too close to call on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: A supporter of U.S. president Donald Trump argues with people protesting in support of counting all votes as the presidential election in Pennsylvania still remains too close to call on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Supporters of U.S. president Donald Trump display a large flag as people protesting in support of counting all votes watch on as the presidential election in Pennsylvania still remains to close to call on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the election, attention is focused on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
