PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Over the Labor Day weekend, State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta is continuing his 5-day walk to Harrisburg from North Philadelphia in protest of SEPTA’s recent budget cuts.
At 124,788 steps and counting, Kenyatta continued his 105-mile walk to the state capital on Sunday.
“Of course, what I’m doing is symbolic, but it’s as American as it gets,” Kenyatta said. “What’s clear as I do this is that this is not symbolic for so many of my neighbors and constituents who are literally walking right now because they’ve had their bus routes cut.”
Kenyatta’s trek from his 181st legislative district in North Philadelphia began Friday. Kenyatta said it was intentional that his walk coincides with Labor Day weekend and the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington.
This is one of those moments where it’s crystal clear where the people in power have to be reminded that it’s the people that are actually still in charge,” he said.
On Friday, a judge granted part of a temporary injunction halting SEPTA’s planned 21.5% fare hike and rail service reduction. Kenyatta continues to walk for what he hopes will be a more permanent solution.
“What the judge did not do was reverse the cuts that have already taken place,” he said. “For these next couple of days, I’m going to be praying with my feet.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he would consider using the transit trust fund specifically to solve this funding impasse. SEPTA riders like Dessi are afraid of the economic implications.
“When you cut off funding to transportation like SEPTA, you are cutting off economic drivers in Southeast Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh, which are economic drivers for the entirety of the state, like people who need to get to work,” Dessi said.
Kenyatta said these are the voices he’s representing.
He is expected to reach Lancaster City on Sunday, where he will be met by his colleagues for a rally, before continuing to Harrisburg.