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Several downtown Williamsport merchants are threatening to sue the city if a permit allowing a demonstration by members of the Islamic Center of Williamsport on Saturday on West Fourth Street is not amended.
Attorney Clifford A. Rieders sent a letter to city Solicitor Austin White threatening legal action on behalf of Tabby Nassberg and numerous other business owners. Copies of the letter were sent to Mayor Derek Slaughter and city council. Rieders represents Nassberg, Debbie and Jerry Kinley, Bonnie Katz, Mark Williams, Francis Ciccarelli, Juan Zayas, Susan Vollman and Kimberly Vadasz, all of whom have been advised that there is to be a demonstration in Williamsport to take place on Fourth Street between Pine and Hepburn streets.
Mayor Derek Slaughter said neither he nor Gary Knarr would comment on the demonstration or on Rieders' letter. Knarr, as codes administrator, has oversight over permits for parades and similar public gatherings
Efforts to reach the Islamic Center or people affiliated with the congregation for comment have been unsuccessful.
According to the letter, the merchants are concerned that, because of violence and disruptiveness in other cities, there is a potential danger to the businesses and their customers and that there will be interference with the holiday shopping season.
Rieders argues in the letter that slogans used at other rallies, such as "calls for 'Palestine from river to sea' and support for Hamas" are exhortations for "violence against Jewish people" and others and "clearly not protected by the First Amendment Free Speech clause or the Right to Assembly."
"Should this permit not be amended," the letter states, "the city will be subject to litigation on behalf of the citizens, taxpayers, store owners and other community members."