During the Wednesday press availability Todd Bartley of News Talk WMPT was in attendance at the PEMA building in Harrisburg and posed a question to the Secretary of Health regarding Governor Wolf marching in a protest in direct violation of Yellow Phase orders.
QUESTION: Secretary, Dauphin County just moved to yellow on May 29th which means no large gatherings and apparently there is a march going on that has more than 200 people in it today in Dauphin County. Can you clarify the administration’s position on May 11th business owners were called cowards for wanting to reopen their businesses and today the Governor is actually marching in that, (HM) is that not in violation of your order and his order for large gatherings?
Secretary Levine responded; “Well, so we have and the Governor has always said that people have the right to protest and to demonstrate and the the right of free speech.
And so overall, we want, large gatherings such as, such as maybe a party or some type of concert or something to be under 250 people.
But we are not restricting people’s right to protest there are obviously significant social issues that are present that people feel that they need to have a voice and the Governor is always supportive of that and is participating in.”
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News Talk WMPT has learned from Dauphin County officials the protest included nearly 500 people.
In May as noted above, News Talk WMPT published “Congressman Keller blasts Gov. Wolf’s threat to withhold funding and protections from PA counties and businesses”
Keller noted on Wednesday, after seeing Governor Wolf in the protest march and comments made by Secretary Levine, “Gov. Wolf said hardworking Pennsylvanians protesting for their right to earn a living were “cowardly.” He threatened to withhold taxpayer funds from those who didn’t social distance. Today, he’s literally walking arm-in-arm with protesters. His hypocrisy knows no end.”
On Friday, it is anticipated Governor Wolf will join Secretary Levine for a press availability and News Talk WMPT will once again be in attendance at the PEMA building in Harrisburg covering the event.
