WILLIAMSPORT – The town hall scheduled Tuesday by Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter to discuss the scheduled April 18 National Socialist Movement rally has been canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus.

At this point both the NSM rally in Brandon Park and the city-sponsored “Dare to be Different” event the same day at Bowman Field remain on, he said Monday. That could change depending on what President Trump and Gov. Wolf do in regards to the coronavirus situation, he said.

Slaughter had scheduled the town hall on the campus of the Pennsylvania College of Technology to address concerns about the rally and to provide information on the “Dare to be Different” event.

The city is working with federal, state and local partners to ensure the National Socialist Movement rally does not disrupt the community, he previously said.

The mayor is urging residents to boycott the rally in Brandon Park and instead to plan to attend the family-friendly Bowman Field event instead.

The National Socialist Movement says the focus of its rally, being planned with the Sacred Knights of the Klu Klux Klan of Indiana, will be held to show President Trump and the “run of the mill conservatives” they are too weak to address America’s problems.

The Anti-Defamation League condemns what it calls the NSM’s “attempt to bring hate to Pennsylvania,” Philadelphia regional director Shira Goodman said.

“NSM, one of the largest neo-Nazi groups in the United States, promotes a vile, racist worldview that aims to deny citizenship to Jews, non-whites and members of the LGBTQ community.”

Text PennLive to 717-745-7532 to sign up to have breaking news and essential updates about the coronavirus delivered right to your mobile device. Data and messaging rates may apply.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.