Published by The Bethlehem Gadfly
Edward J. Gallagher, Bethlehem immigrant, retired, nearly 50 years as Professor of American Literature at Lehigh University, known as "Dr. G" and "Conan the Grammarian" to students, whose virtual world avatar "EdwardScholarhands" stares at you here, has reinvented himself as the Bethlehem Gadfly.
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(The latest in a series of posts on City government)
Gadfly:
Chief DiLuzio is quoted saying they should have 2 officers for every uncooperative protester. Does that include protesters who become uncooperative because they are intimidated by police? In the last 15 years, there have been dozens of protests, rallies, & demonstrations in Bethlehem without incident. (Many have involved dozens of participants, some at least 100.)
If an on-street march requires closing a lane or needs a police escort or will bring 100 people to city center plaza (outside library & city hall), a permit is reasonable—if the cost is minimal. The ordinance didn’t set a fee, but I think anything over $10 would be unreasonable unless the event is expected to draw 100s or 1000s of people.
Peter Crownfield