WASHINGTON, Pa. — This Saturday would have marked the fourth “Rally on Main,” an all-day event that draws thousands of people, including motorcycle riders from around the country.
The Mayor of the City of Washington, JoJo Burgess, says the city had no choice but to cancel the event after threats of retaliation, following a weekend brawl at a local bar.
The violent incident, which is now under investigation by State Police and North Franklin Township Police, happened Saturday night at Forty Bar and Grille. Owner Patrick Dennison says his employees and innocent members of the public were threatened and traumatized.
“Everybody was here having a good time that night, and all the sudden, they all just rolled in,” Dennison told Channel 11. “About 20 of them through both doors and swarmed the bar.”
Employees say they took customers into the basement and hid for their safety while “chaos erupted upstairs.”
Police were called, but Burgess says all the bikers took off, leaving behind evidence of a violent confrontation.
“There were shell casings showing a firearm was discharged, and there was blood on the ground,” Burgess said. “So, when you put all that together, I’m not saying anyone was shot, but that was the physical evidence on the ground.”
Burgess says that, while police piece together what happened, the city can’t risk the public getting caught up in threats of retaliation at Saturday’s rally.
“We’re talking about five to seven days before, which makes it real difficult as you’re scrambling to reach out to other agencies for assistance,” Burgess added.
He says the people who will really miss out are the local businesses that profit from thousands of people who were set to come to town, and the nonprofits that benefit from the event.
“It’s a shame we have to cancel this,” Burgess added. “It hurts everyone.”
Burgess says he also wants to set the record straight that allegations that the cancellation was racially or politically motivated are ridiculous. He says he welcomes all events to the City of Washington, and the safety of the public will always take priority.
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