Nearly two dozen people gathered at Broad and Oregon streets -- an intersection that was part of the Mummers Parade until this year -- to protest the route changes that cut out 1.5 miles of strut-seeing for South Philly residents.
The peaceful demonstration, which began at 11 a.m., aimed to "send a message to those in charge that the parade which started in South Philadelphia ...should stay in South Philadelphia," according to a Facebook post that has been shared more than 270 times.
Mummers began their march from Philadelphia's City Hall around 10 a.m. on Jan. 1, heading south along Broad Street before traveling east on Washington Avenue.
In years past, the parasol-toting Mummers strutted north on Broad Street from Oregon Avenue, ending the celebration at City Hall.
The new route, which was part of the annual celebration for the first time on New Year's Day 2015, removed a 1.5 mile South Philly stretch -- Broad Street between Washington and Oregon avenues -- from the brigades' and string bands' colorful path.
"We plan to peacefully protest the changes that were made to the parade that benefit the Center City section of the city only, without regard to tradition and the effect on the South Philadelphia citizens and business owners," the Facebook post reads.
