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State College leaders condemn threats, urge support for international students after visa revocations and attack on governor's residence
Summary
Council president and Mayor Nanes used opening remarks to condemn rising threats, referenced revoked visas affecting international students at Penn State, and expressed solidarity with the governor after an alleged arson attack on the Governor's Residence.
Borough leaders used the opening of the April 14 work session to condemn a recent wave of threats and incidents they said have created fear in State College, including visa revocations affecting international students and an alleged arson attempt at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence.
Council President told the meeting that “a darkness of ignorance, hate, and violence” is spreading nationally and urged institutions and individuals not to be silent. He said the county district attorney had described recent visa revocations as unprecedented and warned that public naming of individuals can cause irreversible harm.
Mayor Nanes said he was “truly and deeply grateful” to State College Police for thwarting the planned attack on a local high school and expressed concern for the governor and his family after the incident at the Governor’s Residence. He said international students “are wanted here,” noting that visa revocations had left some students and families without warning and created a climate of fear.
Council members did not take formal action on the remarks; the opening comments framed subsequent agenda items and the police briefing. Several council members and staff thanked the police department for its work and emphasized community support for vulnerable residents and students.
