Protest, potential censure set for Philipsburg council meeting following arrest threat at BLM rally
In the wake of unlawful threats of criminal arrest aimed at Black Lives Matter protesters, several dozen Philipsburg residents are demanding the resignation of Councilwoman Sharon Goss — and two local attorneys plan to introduce a censure resolution at Monday’s borough council meeting as a compromise of sorts.
The censure, a public condemnation of Goss’ actions, is largely symbolic. But, according to protest organizers and the attorneys, Goss has not so much as apologized — so they feel the step is necessary.
“If the council itself decides to adopt my resolution, they call out the conduct of one of their members, another one of their peers, and point out that their conduct is inappropriate in word and action and that it’s not acceptable what they did,” said attorney Dan Nelson, who works in Philipsburg. “And it calls upon that member to do better.”
It is unknown if a councilperson has ever before been censured in Philipsburg. Borough Manager Joel Watson, who’s worked for the borough for six years, said he’s never heard of it happening in the past.
The potential censure was set in motion about a week ago when three college-aged women organized a Black Lives Matter rally at the public playground near Cold Stream Dam. Three days before the scheduled protest, according to messages obtained by the Centre Daily Times, Goss reached out to the organizers via social media and told them — “incorrectly,” Watson added — that the playground was private property and, if they insisted on meeting, she would have them arrested for criminal trespass.
At least one organizer admitted she was “scared” but, after further dialogue with attorneys and the borough, the protest went on without incident. (No damage was caused at the Sunday protest, per the borough.) Had the protest not gone on as a direct result of Goss’ threat, Philipsburg could’ve faced legal ramifications for a violation of First Amendment rights, according to the two attorneys.
“What is concerning is that an elected official attempted to suppress what is a clear exercise of First Amendment activity,” Nelson said. “And that should matter to any person in the Philipsburg borough — and, frankly, beyond the walls of the Philipsburg borough — because, if the constitution matters at all, it’s to protect the liberties that all enjoy.
“If those rights are to matter, then when someone in an official capacity tries to overstep, then people should stand up and say, no, that’s not appropriate.”
Nelson — with the help of fellow attorney Bobbie Rabuck, who lives in Philipsburg — reached out to the borough and the solicitor about the censure so they’re not caught off-guard Monday. To pass the censure, a simple majority of the present council members must vote yes. The attorneys also plan to request Goss be taken off the Recreation Committee, a move that can be made by the council president alone — although the president could choose to relegate that decision to a vote, too.
One of last week’s organizers, Mary Betts, said she’ll be in attendance Monday. Although she’d prefer Goss’ resignation, she understands expulsion of a council member is virtually impossible. So she saw the censure as a middle ground.
“If that’s the only way to bring justice, then I’m going to be OK with that,” Betts said, “because something needs to be done. There can’t be no consequences.”
Another protester, longtime Philipsburg resident Sam Martell, 27, organized a Facebook group calling for Goss to resign. His group plans to peacefully meet in front of borough hall Monday.
As of Saturday afternoon, 38 people have said they plan to attend with 109 others saying they’re “interested.”
“I just want her to realize that she is not speaking on behalf of everyone except herself, and she looks foolish when she says things like that,” Martell said, referring to Goss. “And now, hopefully, she won’t get to speak for anyone — except herself.”
Reached by phone Saturday afternoon, Goss declined to comment.
Watson said calls and emails to the borough have tripled this past week, as a result of Goss’ messages — something he wasn’t pleased about, considering this time tends to be one of the busiest of the year for the borough.
“Through her ignorance, or whatever you want to call it, she has caused the borough all this turmoil, which was totally unnecessary,” he said. “And we’re stuck trying to defend the borough, which we shouldn’t even have to be doing. The borough itself has done nothing to instigate what’s going on — so it’s all on her.”
Similar protests and rallies have been held around the nation, including in Clearfield and twice in State College, following the May 25 death of George Floyd, an African American man who was killed by Minneapolis police after an officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Several other officers looked on.
Philipsburg is 98.65% white, according to the latest American Community Survey, and some protesters carried signs last week that said, “End small-town racism.” Organizers said they love their community, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t stand to be more welcoming.
Rabuck, one of the attorneys, simply wanted an admission that Goss was wrong.
“Anyone who has reached out with her has been met with silence and, to me, that’s not OK,” Rabuck said. “If you make a mistake, you need to own up to it and say, ‘I made a mistake, and I’m sorry, and here’s what will happen in the future.’
“And she hasn’t done that.”
This story was originally published June 13, 2020 at 3:01 PM.
