COVID-19

Ralliers decry Wolf’s orders

Crowd cheers, chants to support reopening

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- About 100 people assembled Friday in front the Blair County Courthouse clapped, cheered and chanted in support of reopening businesses throughout the county and challenging Gov. Tom Wolf's orders keeping them closed.

"The governor declared every square foot (of the state) to be a disaster area and closed businesses en masse," Harrisburg area attorney Marc Scaringi said, referencing Wolf's use of an emergency declaration in response to the corona­virus pandemic.

"Is your business a disaster area?" Scaringi asked.

"No," the crowd responded loudly.

Scaringi, who is taking his challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of five challengers, including three businesses in Warren County where the state reports one resident who has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Yet the whole county is under shutdown and lockdown," Scaringi said.

"Is that reasonable?" he asked, prompting the group to reply: "No."

"Is it rational?" he asked, drawing another "No."

"Is it science?" he asked to complete the series of questions.

"No," the crowd replied.

The Blair County Tea Party organized the rally to draw attention to its discontent with Wolf's actions.

"It's very important that we stand together as a group and let our voices be heard," Blair County Tea Party President Rhonda Holland said. "As I said before, you don't have rights if they're able to take them from you."

Huntingdon businessman Bruce Pergament of Bruce's Lakeside Motors said he's ready to open despite Wolf's order so he can serve the residents of his rural county where people depend on vehicles. His business has been closed 40 days, he said, the same number of days Jesus was tested in the wilderness.

"I've been tested by Wolf for 40 days, and I'm done," Pergament said.

Tea party member Lois Kaneshiki read a letter offered by Commissioner Amy Webster, imploring the governor to include Blair County, where COVID-19 cases are low, among counties where restrictions are to be eased starting Friday.

About an hour after the rally ended, Wolf named 24 counties where restrictions will be eased, but Blair, Bedford, Cambria and Huntingdon were not among them.

Local radio talk show host and former state Rep. John McGinnis described the recent chain of events as evidence of a changing nation.

"In his 2019 State of the Union address, President Donald Trump said America will never be a socialist nation," McGinnis said, drawing cheers from the crowd. "Apparently, 'never' meant one year and one virus later, 'cause don't kid yourself, this is a socialist nation right now.

"When businesses close 'cause government orders them to … when citizens are ordered to shelter in homes and told 'we're all in this together,' that's socialism," he said.

Claysburg resident Ed Figart was among those attending the rally.

"I can't stand what they're doing to this country," he said. "I think everybody ought to be able to open up their businesses."

A minority of the rally attendees wore face masks, as state governmental leaders recommend to reduce the potential spread of the novel coronavirus, which can cause respiratory issues from mild to severe, as well as death.

Figart said some doctors are against masks and claim they'll lead to infections.

"I'm 72 years old, and I'm going to trust the Lord," Figart said.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.