Summers in Adams County can be magical – longer days, fresh fruit and veggies from the abundance of farms, and community gatherings of all types. I’m writing today to invite you to a community gathering next Saturday, 7/26, from 5-7pm downtown Gettysburg, in which we stand together against political violence and violent rhetoric.
Alice Still, a young woman and emerging community leader from Abbottstown who is pursuing a joint BA/MA in Political Science from American University, has obtained a permit from the Borough of Gettysburg for us to gather in front of the courthouse at 5pm and then proceed to Lincoln Square around 5:45 to show the public that we must unite against violence and work together. Patti Robinson of Mediation Services of Adams County will have a copy of their declaration rejecting political violence for attendees to sign, de-escalation pocket cards to give away, and will share words of inspiration.
We will also have a petition requesting that Sheriff Muller resign from office given his social media post on 6/14, the day of the No Kings Protest, showing a blood-covered white truck labeled ‘Dodge Ram – Protester Edition’. This is largely symbolic, we do not expect him to resign, but it sends a message to him and future law enforcement that violent rhetoric is unacceptable. This is a non-partisan event, so if you bring signs, please focus on the messaging of the event – political violence is never acceptable. You may wish to bring a poster in remembrance of a life or lives that were lost to political violence, and a pledge to solve our differences through non-violent means, or simply stand in solidarity with us.
We will continue this initiative of standing against political violence in Harrisburg in September. Pam Hinton from our Steering Committee has obtained permission for a gathering on the PA State Capitol steps from 2-4pm on Tuesday, September 16. We are working on a line-up of speakers and will share more information closer to the date. If you are interested in attending this event and carpooling from Gettysburg, let us know! We will also be reaching out to other Central PA groups, if you have one in mind, please share this information with them.
One last reminder of National Night Out on August 5th. We will have a table at Cumberland Township’s event at 730 Chambersburg Rd from 4-7pm. We will be promoting our mission of civic engagement and distributing information about our events. Stop by to say hello and play civic engagement trivia with us!
Keep up your good work as engaged citizens, and we hope to see you soon!
