Young Republican blocked from entering Philadelphia church during Krasner town hall as activists form human wall
Video shows activists locking arms outside Mother Bethel AME Church to block Surge Philly founder Frank Scales from entering a Krasner event
A young Republican activist was barred from entering a Philadelphia town hall where District Attorney Larry Krasner was speaking last Thursday night, as activists formed a human wall outside the historic Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Society Hill.
Frank Scales, 22, founder of Surge Philly, released footage showing a group of protesters holding arms and a man with a bullhorn saying, "You’re not coming in. You’re not coming in. Simple as that." Scales, who is white, repeatedly asked why he could not enter; the response was, "Because I said you’re not." In the clip, a protester warns, "You’ll see what it means if you come in." Later, Scales attempts again to gain entry, prompting a line to warn, "If you touch me, you’re gonna have a problem" as others lock arms. Scales tells the camera, "This is the party of inclusivity. These people are clowns."
Surge Philly said Scales had disrupted Krasner’s town hall at Salt & Light Church in southwest Philadelphia earlier in the week, accusing the Democratic DA of inflammatory rhetoric by calling President Trump’s supporters fascists. He said Krasner’s wording is the kind of language that, in his view, can provoke political violence, including the death of a public figure. NBC10 Philadelphia reported that Scales linked Krasner’s remarks to the killing of Charlie Kirk, a claim he framed as evidence of political violence.
During the Salt & Light event, Krasner said, "Fascists are going to be fascists," and he floated the possibility of sending the National Guard into Philadelphia as a response to unrest. He noted the President had not mentioned Philadelphia, but said it was only a matter of time before attention turned to the city.
Speaking after last Tuesday’s town hall, Krasner doubled down on his comparison of MAGA supporters to fascists. He said his father volunteered and served in World War II; half of his family tree is gone because of Nazis and fascists, he added, and they didn’t all come back. He argued it was absolutely necessary to recognize the times we are in and not be appeasers.
Mother Bethel Church did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
These events come as Philadelphia politics remains deeply polarized around Krasner’s approach to crime and public safety, and as tensions flare over how political rhetoric may influence real-world actions. The incident at Mother Bethel, a site with historical significance in the city, underscores how debates over inclusivity, access, and accountability have migrated into churches and other community spaces, illustrating the broader challenge of keeping political dialogue open while maintaining safety and order.