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Resident defends 'No Kings' rally at Veterans Park; veterans groups urged different venue
Summary
During public comment, a resident said the planned 'No Kings' rally is a pro‑government demonstration and defended the group's right to gather at Veterans Park; other council members and veterans groups urged organizers to choose a different location out of respect for veterans memorials.
A resident introduced as Jim Webb used public comment time at the March 23 Port Jervis Common Council meeting to defend plans for a 'No Kings' rally at Veterans Park and to press for the group’s right to assemble there.
"We refuse to be told that we are somehow like second‑class citizens, and we're not allowed to publicly express our great concern in this principal park in our hometown," Webb said, framing the event as a pro‑government rally that will honor veterans and include patriotic music.
Webb told the council that some local veterans had objected to using Veterans Park for the demonstration and said organizers had sought dialog with other veterans groups but were rebuffed. Members of the audience and council staff briefly interjected on procedural sign‑up and speaking time during Mr. Webb's remarks.
Councilman Segal, who spoke later in the meeting in his committee update, urged the 'No Kings' organizers to select a different site. "We hope that the organizers of No Kings protest will pick another location other than Veterans Park," Segal said, citing concerns raised by multiple veterans organizations.
The council did not take action on the rally request during the meeting; separate assembly permit requests for other events were considered and approved later in the agenda. The public comment record shows competing local views about venue appropriateness for political demonstrations and local veterans' sensitivities.
