They’re Moving the Philly Portal Because of Vandalism

The Philly Portal is being moved because of vandalism and other reasons, via John Paul at 6ABC.com:

The Portal in Philadelphia’s Love Park will be moved after just five months in that location.

It’s been the target of vandalism on two occasions, but that isn’t the only reason it’s moving.

“We wanted to be able to set up in the appropriate environment that has enough space for people to come and celebrate, for people to collaborate with the other countries, and not have to worry about moving it around,” said Joe Callahan, a director of the Portals project.

He said they have had to move the Portal for the Christmas Village and they don’t want to have to do that again in 2025.

It’s also been vandalized several times in the current location.

In February, a group cut the wires to the portal, which connects the city to other parts of the world via video link. Police believe the group wanted the wires because they contained copper.

Recently, it was discovered that someone smashed the screen, too.

“It appears, after engineering has gone through it, that it was a rock. A rock hit it,” said Callahan.

View from other end of The Philadelphia Portal from Lithuania “after it was damaged by a rock” organizers say, not gunshots, as it appeared to many. On @FOX29philly at 10pm, report on “It’s headed out of LOVE Park to one of 3 Philadelphia locations & back up & running soon.” pic.twitter.com/3Elmd4iOTi

— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) March 24, 2025

Another win for the Suburban Patriots to hang their hats on! Can this city have anything? I’m like Randy Marsh right now when it comes to defending this city. I just keep taking hit after hit screaming, “I don’t hear no bell!” Can’t we just do one thing right when it attracts global attention? We’ve got junkies stealing copper and throwing rocks at the Portal now? This is a society! There are rules people! We better not fuck up the Semiquincentennial, the World Cup, and MLB All-Star Game. Everyone needs to be on their best behavior in 2026. We haven’t been on a world stage like this since the Pope came to town.

Still, admit it – this lasted in LOVE Park way longer than you thought it would. People will choose to remember the negative headlines. Me? I choose to remember the good times:

I’ve been at the Philly Portal for 30 minutes and it’s amazing. A guy in Lithuania approached the camera, unfolded a piece of paper and it said “GO BIRDS.” The way we all screamed! pic.twitter.com/7PG6fcjVGU

— Stephanie Farr (@FarFarrAway) October 23, 2024

Someone here in Philly is holding up a Dallas Sucks sign to the Portal because of course they are. pic.twitter.com/vVA6Yn2maG

— Stephanie Farr (@FarFarrAway) October 23, 2024

Here’s a simple solution. Move this thing inside, which is apparently the plan. I know a building right down the street that just lost a tenant. Hell, I’d rather visit the Portal than the Liberty Bell. Put it down in Independence Hall.  And listen, I know this city doesn’t deserve a gold star, but can we cool it with the blatant lying? How about the Lying Larrys that work for the Portal spreading obvious fake news:

The company also confirmed they haven’t had any issues in the other countries or locations of the other Portals, just in Philadelphia.

What’re you talking about? They had to turn the Portal off in New York because people were flashing it and the Irish were taunting New Yorkers with pictures of 9/11.

Don’t move my portal and tell me that it’s raining!

The New York / Ireland portal bouta start a war pic.twitter.com/0QTCmFVGvJ

— SolP (@SolProduced) May 11, 2024

As always no one likes us, we don’t care.

The post They’re Moving the Philly Portal Because of Vandalism appeared first on Crossing Broad.