Protest planned during Canonsburg July 4th parade
A protest planned for July 4 in Canonsburg aims to disrupt the borough’s annual parade, according to the organizer of the demonstration.
Trey Willis said the purpose of the protest is to bring awareness to what he contends is light treatment of those accused of violence against black citizens.
Willis has organized several protests about the case of Chris Williams, a Waynesburg man who will stand trial for allegedly shooting a black teenager at Hollywood Theaters in North Franklin Township.
Those who have taken part in the demonstrations believe Williams should have been charged with attempted homicide, rather than aggravated assault.
Williams also pointed to the April 2014 murder of 10-year-old Ta’Niyah Thomas.
Thomas was shot and killed at home during a robbery. Four men pleaded guilty to their involvement in the incident and were sentenced in July 2015.
Two of the defendants, Anthony Goehring and Douglas Cochran, each pleaded guilty to third-degree murder. Goehring was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison, and Cochran was sentenced to 22 to 50 years.
Willis believes the men should have faced trial on more severe murder charges.
The protesters plan to meet at 9 a.m. on South Central Avenue in Canonsburg. Willis would not get into specific details about their demonstration.
“Our plan is simple, to get our voices heard, one way or another,” Willis said.
Willis stressed that the protest will be peaceful.
“We stand against senseless acts of violence. Whether they are black, white, civilian or an officer. We cannot protest violence with violence,” Willis said.
Willis claims they are expecting a few hundred protesters, with at least 100 coming from Pittsburgh.
On Tuesday, the Canonsburg Police Department posted on Facebook that they were made aware of plans for a demonstration from “concerned residents.”
“I want to assure everyone that we have been planning diligently with our law enforcement partners to address all of your security concerns,” the post reads.
Willis said the protest organizers had made the police department aware of their plans, and that they will be meeting with Chief Alex Coghill today.
“We’re aware of the post and we’re also of the belief that they’re here to protect not only us but the community as well,” Willis said.