Mechanicsburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) will host a No Hate in Our State Town Hall on Wednesday, October 29, from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Buhrig Gathering Place, 25 E. Main Street, Mechanicsburg. The town hall will immediately follow a community rally at 6:30 p.m. at the Railroad Avenue event space (26 West Main Street, Mechanicsburg).
The event is being held in response to a reported incident where Ku Klux Klan recruitment cards were distributed during the Mechanicsburg Halloween Parade on October 14. The PHRC, along with local leaders and advocates, will now come together to reaffirm that hate has no place in Pennsylvania communities.
“What happened in Mechanicsburg is unacceptable, but it also presents an opportunity for meaningful conversation,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “I would like to extend an invitation to meet with members of the Women of the Ku Klux Klan—to hear their perspectives and to share ours. Whether over lunch or in person, dialogue is one of the first steps toward dismantling hate and misunderstanding.”
The town hall will feature a distinguished panel including:
- Reverend Kathryn Z. Johnston, Senior Pastor, Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church
- Sara Agerton, Mechanicsburg Borough Council Member
- Rev. Bobby Jones, Pastor, United Methodist Church, Enola
- Corporal Tristan L. Bennett, Pennsylvania State Police, Office of Community Engagement, Heritage Affairs Section
- Ann M. Van Dyke, Community Responders Network
“Mechanicsburg has always been a place where neighbors look out for one another,” said Reverend Kathryn Z. Johnston, Senior Pastor, Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church. “When hate shows up on our streets, our response must be unity, compassion, and the reaffirmation of our shared humanity.”
The event will be moderated by PHRC Civil Rights Outreach Director Sheryl Meck and will provide an open forum for dialogue, healing, and collective action.
“The PHRC’s mission is not only to enforce civil rights laws but also to educate, engage, and empower communities,” said Sheryl Meck, Civil Rights Outreach Director. “This town hall is about listening, learning, and standing together against hate—because silence is never an option.”
The No Hate in Our State initiative is part of PHRC’s ongoing efforts to combat bias and discrimination across Pennsylvania. Town halls and community conversations are held throughout the Commonwealth to build awareness, foster trust, and encourage collaboration between residents, local government, and advocacy groups. The PHRC encourages all residents to attend, share their experiences, and learn about resources available to those who have faced discrimination. Registration is not required, but is encouraged. To RSVP, click here.
About the PHRC:
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination and promote equal opportunity for all people. The PHRC investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. Anyone who has experienced acts of discrimination or hate is urged to file a complaint by calling 717-787-4410. Information and resources are also available on the PHRC website. Follow the PHRC on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
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