A REPORT BY WJAC INDICATES THAT GENE STILP OF BELLEFONTE HAS FILED A FEDERAL LAWSUIT CLAIMING HE HAD THE RIGHT TO BURN FLAGS THAT WERE CONSIDERED PRO TRUMP IN SEPTEMBER 2020. STILP SAID THAT HE SENT A LETTER TO THE CENTRE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STATING HIS INTENT TO HOLD A PUBLIC PROTEST AND WAS GOING TO BURN SEVERAL DONALD TRUMP FLAGS. THE FLAG BURNING WAS TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE OUTSIDE AT THE CENTRE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, WHICH WOULD HAVE NOT VIOLATED THE BOROUGH’S BURN BAN ORDINANCE. STILP WAS WARNED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT NOT TO BURN THE FLAGS, BUT DID ANYWAY, AND HE WAS CITED FOR VIOLATING THE ORDINANCE. THE SUIT CLAIMS THAT ENFORCEMENT OF THE BURN BAN IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
