Sit-in Staged at Harrisburg Office of Rep. Borowicz; Arrests Made

Photo:  www.facebook.com/WomensMarchPA/

HARRISBURG – Activists unhappy with the Monday state House prayer from Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R – Clinton/Centre) staged a sit-in Thursday in her Harrisburg office; it ended with several arrests.

The sit-in included members of Women’s March Pennsylvania and Indivisible PA, two statewide activist groups. They delivered a reported 2,000 signed letters of censure collected by Keystone Progress, described as a Pennsylvania grassroots organization.

The activists demanded Borowicz apologize for what they said was an “offensive and Islamophobic invocation” she delivered prior to the swearing-in of the first Muslim woman elected to the state House.

Sit-in participant and arrestee Gwen Snyder said, “As Pennsylvanians and as human beings, we are horrified to see extremists like Stephanie Borowicz use our own government as a platform for this kind of hate and bigotry.”

Among related developments, evangelist Franklin Graham came to the representative’s defense. In comments posted on her Facebook site, Rev. Graham said, “She “doesn’t need to apologize. We don’t change who we are or what we believe because someone who is present may believe differently than we believe.” He wrote that Borowicz “would appreciate your prayers and encouragement.” She thanked Graham and said his “words of encouragement have brought me to tears.”

Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. on Thursday posted a statement on its Facebook page that read, “At Downtown Lock Haven Inc., we believe that diversity strengthens our community. Therefore we welcome EVERYONE to make this beautiful place your home! Come enjoy all that Lock Haven has to offer in the heart of Clinton County, and meet all the people who make this community a safe and wonderful place to live, work, and play.”

Coverage of the Borowicz prayer has gone worldwide and drawn tens of thousands of comments on social media, some in support of the freshman legislator, some upset with her comments delivered on the floor of the House.