Philadelphia resident John Alante McAuley criticized the city’s Democratic leadership and a proposed housing measure during a recent City Council meeting, raising concerns about property rights, tenant laws, and government oversight.
McAuley , who identified himself as part of a grassroots group he called “Flip Philly Red,” addressed council members while speaking on bill number 250330, part of what is known as the Safe, Healthy Homes Act. The proposal focuses on housing conditions and tenant protections, but McAuley argued the legislation would further burden property owners.
“Good morning, everybody. My name is John Alante McAuley. I’m with a grassroots organization called Flip Philly Red. We’re here to offer you something different because you’ve been voting Democrat for the Mayor’s Office for the past 70 years. In regard to bill number 250330, or what’s part of the Safe, Healthy Homes Act? I would like to ask Philadelphia, are you tired of voting Democrat yet?” McAuley said.
During his remarks, McAuley criticized what he described as increasing restrictions on landlords and property owners under Democratic policies in the city.
“This is what communism looks like. You work extremely hard to save your pennies, but buy some property, and you can’t dictate when you want to evict a tenant. Do you really own your property or not?” he said.
McAuley also referenced city leadership and broader political concerns while speaking against the measure.
“But we know what Philly Democrat politicians love communism for because they let comrade mayor Cheryl Parker raise the Communist China flag in the birthplace of America,” he said.
He argued that additional regulations could discourage independent contractors and increase reliance on government-controlled housing.
“Tenants can already Sue or simply move if it’s a problem, but laws after law scare away independent contractors and create more government controlled housing,” McAuley said.
“These laws breed entitlement bad actors not paying rent, waiting for court dates, squatting on somebody else’s property, just like Governor Josh Shapiro is doing right now to his neighbors, to the landlords of Philadelphia.”
McAuley said landlords may respond to increased regulation by raising rents to offset risks associated with eviction challenges.
“When you raise the rents higher up front to cover eviction hassles, I’ll understand it. How are you going to tell a small business owner what to do with their own property,” he said.
He also raised concerns about tenant behavior and enforcement challenges faced by property owners.
“How many bad tenants have we seen always playing loud music, fighting harassing neighbors, running drugs out of properties, doing drugs in someone else’s property? Are you a small business owner or a caretaker? Are there tenants, or are they your children?” McAuley said.
Rather than passing new legislation, McAuley urged officials to focus on improving the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections, which he said is not adequately serving residents.
“If the Department of licenses and inspections isn’t serving good acting tenants properly, then we don’t need new laws. We need to restructure the Department of licenses and inspections over 45 million taxpayer dollars proposed for LNI in fiscal year 2026 and they can’t return a phone call,” he said.
McAuley also referenced historical political remarks during his testimony and encouraged voters to consider changes in upcoming elections.
“Racist Democrat president LBJ said, I’ma have these ni**as voting Democrat for the next 200 years. But you can change that in November, Stacy Garrity for governor. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he said.
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