Parade Protest Now A “Peaceful Presentation”

July 3, 2019 3:24 pm

What was supposed to be a protest that would “shut down the Canonsburg Fourth of July Parade,” has now changed to a “Peaceful Presentation.”  Canonsburg Mayor Dave Rhome tells WJPA News that he and Canonsburg Police Chief Al Coghill met Wednesday with the organizer of the #Justice4ALL RALLY, Trey Willis, and he has agreed that the group’s planned demonstration on Thursday will be a peaceful presentation.  Rhome would not go into detail about exactly what that would entail, saying only that he and Willis shook hands and he’s confident that Willis will honor his end of the deal.  Willis has recently staged several demonstrations in connection with the shooting of a juvenile at the Regal Crown Center Theatre at Washington Crown Center Mall in North Franklin Township.  Willis says the protests are designed to bring awareness to what he calls the light treatment of those accused of violence against black citizens, pointing his finger specifically at the Washington County District Attorney’s Office.  District Attorney Gene Vittone however, questioned Willis’ motivation, saying that Willis just completed a four to ten year jail term for his conviction on aggravated assault and robbery charges and believes he may not be a fan of the district attorney’s office.