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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jewell Williams |
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Williams praises life, service of community activist Gaylord Neal Jr.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 6 – State Rep. Jewell Williams, D-Phila., said Gaylord Neal Jr., a longtime community activist in north central Philadelphia, who died Feb. 2, will be missed.
Williams said he worked extensively with the co-founder and former executive director of the Susquehanna Neighborhood Advisory Council, and that Neal was very active and outspoken on housing issues, community activism and improving the quality of life for residents.
"Gaylord was a warrior for fairness, and would challenge the most prominent lawyer in the department of law," Williams said. "Outspoken, bold, daring, challenging – those are only some of the words that described him."
Williams and Neal met in Philadelphia during the 1980 riots and worked together resolve the violence in their communities. Neal is known for his community outreach when a rash of riots occurred on Susquehanna Avenue, over what some said resulted from police brutality. Residents were physically helping themselves to merchandise from store windows.
Neal stood in front of rioters and called for the violence to stop. The protests ceased and for his peace-keeping efforts, he was honored by the city of Philadelphia and former Mayor William Green.
Williams said that Neal was also responsible for the Holy Qur’an being available to inmates in correctional institutions throughout the country. He went on to be the chief executive officer of RES Security Systems Co. and in conjunction with Williams, provided many jobs for young men in the area.
"My early activist days were shaped and molded by Gaylord," Williams said. "He will be missed by the entire north central Philadelphia community. He fought for those who had no voice.
"Gaylord believed in order and in helping the little guy," Williams said. "He was a fighter by nature, and he loved a good fight. He was proudest of his family and loved each and every one of his beautiful children.
He was a beautiful spirit, a strong warrior and north Philly’s gladiator. My friend made his mark upon this community."