Westmoreland GOP leaders skip unity rally days after parade float depicted political violence
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There was a unity rally planned for political party leaders in Westmoreland County Friday, but only one side came to the event.
The noon observance was planned late Thursday after an entry in Mt. Pleasant’s Halloween parade this week depicted political violence. Organized by Westmoreland County Democrats and Mt. Pleasant Borough officials, the rally was held in Courthouse Square on Main Street in downtown Greensburg.
Political party leaders from both sides of the aisle were invited. Borough Mayor Diane Bailey and Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department President Richard Pologruto appeared with Democratic county Commissioner Ted Kopas and committee chairwoman Michelle McFall to defend the borough and county’s reputation.
Although neither Republican county commissioner nor the GOP’s local committee chairman attended, they all made statements condemning the parade display.
The community of about 4,200 was thrust into the spotlight this week after a float in the annual parade contained people dressed as former Republican President Donald Trump and Secret Service snipers leading Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris bound and leashed to a modified golf cart.
Ashley Frailey provided TribLive with video showing the controversial display.
“The disturbing display at the Mt. Pleasant Halloween parade on Oct. 30 does not represent who we are in Westmoreland County. Those who participated should be ashamed,” Kopas said. “The people who did this should not hide in costume. They should reveal themselves. We are better in Westmoreland County, we are better than this.”
Officials overwhelmingly condemned the float, which has drawn national attention to the community just days before next week’s election.
Locals Democratic leaders said they organized the rally in an attempt to end political hostilities and foster respect and collaboration. They said they were disappointed by the absence of Republicans — including county Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew; state Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-Smithton; and local GOP committee chairman Bill Bretz, all of whom were invited to speak.
Bretz and Kertes issued statements condemning the parade display.
“As chairman of the board of commissioners, I want to reiterate that I do not condone violence in any form and this kind of behavior has no place in our county. In these turbulent times it is essential that we lean on family and neighbors for support,” Kertes wrote in a text message. He did not explain his absence on Friday.
Bretz said he was unable to attend and that the local GOP “certainly doesn’t condone the simulation of political imprisonment or violence in any context, no matter the party affiliation of those involved.”
Davanzo marched in the parade and said he didn’t see the float. He said scheduling conflicts prevented him from attending Friday’s event.
“I don’t condone (the float), but at the same time there is the First Amendment and we have to balance that. Just because we don’t like the message, it doesn’t mean we do not allow it,” Davanzo said.
Chew also provided a statement via text.
“I was appalled at the insensitive display in the Halloween parade in Mt. Pleasant,” Chew wrote. “Halloween is a holiday for children to have fun, but the thoughtless entry by some person or group will leave a hole in this community. This behavior has no place in Westmoreland, not in a political rally, but least in a Halloween parade. My prayers go out to this community as we heal and work to correct this tragic mistake permanently.”
Bailey, a first-term Democrat, said officials from the borough and fire department have been unable to identify who was responsible for the float or who marched along with it. The masks and sunglasses worn by the participants has made identification difficult, she said. Parade video has been sent to the borough’s police department.
“The parade is open to people from all over the area, from Scottdale, Mt. Pleasant Township, East Huntingdon. We’ve had people from all local communities join us for our parade,” Bailey said.
Mt. Pleasant police Chief George Grippo did not return a call seeking comment on Friday.
“I’m sad we’ve gotten all this notoriety because of this,” Bailey said.
Pologruto confirmed parade participants are not vetted and that everyone who wants to march can do so. He said the department will review internal procedures to prevent future issues.
“I am so disappointed in what happened and I just think it wasn’t our fault this went down. We don’t even know how that set up, how it went through, but it went through and it happened and we apologize for it and we are going to look at different ways to do things. It is for the kids, so we got to do what we got to do,” Pologruto said.