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A Small Protest Reveals Simmering Resentment Of Pro Soccer In Chester

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The city of Chester has long observed Mother's Day with a parade in the afternoon but, this year, the Union game forced the parade to move to Saturday instead of Mother's Day itself. That angered some Chester residents and sparked a small protest at the game.

"The Mother's day parade is a sacred event in Chester."

Michael Brice (Photo) organized the protest, ostensibly, about the parade but also about much more.

"They've taken over our city, they're dictating to us what we can and can't do and the majority of the money is not even going to Chester. Our school district is suffering and starving."

Brice did not get much traction; only a few people joined him outside PPL Park and fans asked about his concerns were mostly bewildered.

"I wasn't aware of it."

And they disagreed with Brice's premise.

"I'm looking at seeing the resident's working in the stadium. There are a lot of people in town selling food and parking. I don't see how it's a detriment to it."

Brice, though, says a team representative did promise to get in touch to talk about his concerns.

"I told him they got to get involved in the community, hands on rather than behind the scenes cause the people is not seeing any of that."

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