Williamsport resident urges investigation into pro-Palestine billboards; commissioners condemn shooting and call for unity

A Williamsport resident urged the Board of Commissioners to investigate the funding and origins of pro-Palestine billboards that he said are appearing in town, and commissioners used part of the meeting to condemn a recent shooting and call for community unity.

Doug Gordon of 1720 Almond Street said the billboards, which he described as reading, "Stand for fairness and humanity in Palestine, the birthplace of Jesus Christ," are an effort to erase Jewish and Christian history and that the groups behind the signs may be funded from overseas. “If there is the ability to have an investigation into who this group is that are putting these billboards up in our town, who they are tied to, where is their funding coming from, I highly recommend that that is done,” Gordon said.

Commissioner Collins gave an extended statement reflecting on a recent shooting and urging the community to report signs of individuals in crisis. “The hate has to stop,” Collins said, adding that adults have a responsibility to identify and report signs of serious mental illness before they turn violent.

A representative from online public comments thanked commissioners for speaking up about mental illness and hatred. The meeting concluded with the board announcing the next meeting date as Sept. 4 in the main meeting room.