Category: government

bookmark_borderWomen’s March

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by Daniel Brouse
Photo and video credits: Nikka Mae, Vanessa Sundra, Melody Long McWherter, Kara Barber, Elissa Sklaroff, Rick Reinhart and Alan Fenstermaker

Grandmother's Photo of Daughter and Grand Daughter / Elissa Sklaroff, Sara Sklaroff -Carey, Edie Carey
Grandmother’s Photo of Daughter and Grand Daughter / Elissa Sklaroff, Sara Sklaroff -Carey, Edie Carey

On January 22, 2017, a movement known as the Women’s March On Washington turned into a global protest of historical proportions.

1) The Women’s March on Washington was the largest global protest against the inauguration of a ruler in world history.
2) The Women’s March was inclusive of all people that felt compelled to protest and insist we “leave the world a better place.”

What could cause a massive movement like this? It was striking how many multi-generation protesters had boots on the ground. Not only did mothers-daughters march, but many grandmothers-daughters-grandaughters marched. Why? The resounding response — “our children’s children! We want to leave the world a better place.”

As it turns out, mother’s instincts about Donald Trump were correct. Within days of being elected, The Donald dictated actions that will harm more children than any President in history.

Things that kill and maim kids: the Dakota Pipeline, repealing the Affordable Care Act, withdrawing from TPP, withdrawing from the Paris Treaty, refusing children refugees from countries we bombed, de-funding International Planned Parenthood… every executive order the President has signed. In addition, censoring the Department of the Interior, USDA and the EPA, etc.

Boys, perhaps it’s time we listen to what our mother tells us?

Nikka Mae / Washington DC

Vanessa Sundra / NYC

Melody Long McWherter / Philadelphia

Kara Barber / Philadelphia

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bookmark_borderDan Truitt Vs. Carolyn Comitta for PA State Representative

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by Daniel Brouse

WEST CHESTER, PA — The office of State Representative is up for election in Chester County. State Representative Dan Truitt is running for re-election against West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta. The 156th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Chester County and includes the following areas:
Birmingham Township
East Goshen Township
Thornbury Township
West Chester
West Goshen Township (PART, District North)
Westtown Township

Truitt and Comitta are on opposite sides of the “West Chester Busking and Street Performance Ordinance.”

Mayor Comitta is behind a proposed ordinance that would limit a citizen’s ability to sing, dance, play music, perform magic, juggle, read aloud or recite. The original ordinance would have required children to have a license to draw with chalk on the sidewalk. So many residents and lovers-of-the-arts showed up to this public hearing that another public hearing was added. Then, so many people showed up to protest the ordinance at the second meeting, yet another public hearing is scheduled. Though the ordinance has been watered down, it is still in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Mayor Comitta is also embroiled in allegations of police misconduct, police corruption, hate crimes and civil rights violations. Mayor Comitta’s West Chester Police Department arrested and assaulted two street musicians under the guise of the noise ordinance. Without grounds, scores of citations have been issued to other performers. One artist was cited three times, though he was not making noise. The artist won all three court cases but is now forced to sue in Federal Court (to obtain damages and challenge the noise ordinance under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.)

Mayor Comitta has been unresponsive to all requests both written [1, 2, 3] and verbal.

On the other hand, Dan Truitt met with and supported the West Chester artists that perform at Gay and Church Streets in West Chester. Dan’s office provided research on the constitutionality of the proposed ordinance and the existing noise ordinance. Dan said, “The proposed ordinance violates the Constitution.”

bookmark_borderWest Chester Noise Ordinance

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by Staff Writers

MOTION TO DECLARE WEST CHESTER ORDINANCE § 73-1 B (1) (B) UNCONSTITUTIONAL

WEST CHESTER, PA — The West Chester Borough Noise Ordinance is being called into question after several West Chester Police officers have used the ordinance to justify harassment, hate crimes and civil rights violations against street musicians.

Over the past several months, two musicians have been physically assaulted and arrested by West Chester Police Officers. Scores of other citations have been issued under the Borough’s noise ordinance.

One citizen who has been cited on three different occasions, was not even playing music or making noise. The individual was found not guilty in all cases, but suffered financial loss in fighting the corrupt police officers. The same person has been stalked, harassed and threatened by police officers for having filed complaints against the police officers.

On October 5, 2016, the defendant was found not guilty of a noise violation in the Court Of Common Pleas. Part of the trial included a motion to dismiss:
“The ordinance is overbroad, on its face and as applied to defendant in that it prohibits constitutionally protected expressive activity.”

The lawyer for the defendant brought a guitar into the courtroom and proved it was impossible to play the guitar under the ordinance.

“The ordinance violates the freedoms of expression as guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article 1 § 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.”

After the hearing the Judge said, “I wish I could have found him guilty, so that I could rule on the constitutionality of the ordinance.”

More on Harassment, Civil Rights Violations and Hate Crimes in West Chester, PA