Why Allentown City Council Really Should Censure Josh Siegel

Perhaps the political will is lacking. Perhaps they're just too damn nice. But Allentown City Council would be within its rights to censure member Josh Siegel. Here's a resolution I drafted, with a little help.

WHEREAS, as sworn officials they took an oath to uphold the Allentown Home Rule Charter and Constitution of the United Sates ; and

WHEREAS, On July 11, 2020 an incident involving Edward Borrero, Jr. and members of the Allentown Police took place outside St.Luke's Hospital Sacred Heart Campus. As a result of a 23 second video surrounding the incident taken by a passerby, a mob protested that very night. It included Councilperson Joshua Siegel, who made baseless allegations of police brutality aimed at Allentown Police and demanded defunding of the police; and

WHEREAS, Councilperson Siegel not only participated in the protests, but also engaged in blocking streets on July 11-12, causing motorists to make illegal U-turns, causing drivers to drive the wrong direction on roadways; placing them at risk of striking other vehicles and innocent pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, during mob protests that occurred on July 11-12, Councilperson Joshua Siegel provided the Mayor’s personal cell phone number to an already angry mob. As a result, Mayor O'Connell was deluged with numerous calls over a period of several days. Moreover, Mayor O'Connell was exposed to potential violence. One unidentified person told Mayor O'Connell, “I know where you live and I like flames;” and

WHEREAS, according to data maintained by the FBI, seven police officers have been killed by ambush so far this year. And

WHEREAS, Councilperson Joshua Siegel's willingness to dox the Mayor, combined with his demand for the names of the officers involved in the July 11 incident, results in a greater likelihood of ambush-style attacks on Allentown police; and

WHEREAS, during the mob protests that occurred July 11-12, Councilperson Joshua Siegel was heard by several people shouting “F--- the police;” and

WHEREAS, in an effort to be transparent, Allentown Police Chief Glenn Granitz conducted an internal review of the July 11 interaction and also requested District Attorney Jim Martin to conduct his own independent investigation; and

WHEREAS, on July13, Chief Glenn Granitz publicly released a nine minute video of the July 11 incident involving Edward Borrero, Jr. and members of the Allentown Police that took place outside St.Luke's Hospital Sacred Heart Campus. It showed Borrero vomiting multiple times, dropping his cellphone and staggering on the street, presenting a danger to himself and others. It shows two police officers at the hospital on an unrelated matter placing a spit mask on Borrero for the safety of medical personnel; and

WHEREAS, On July 15, 2020 a Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting was held virtually, inside Allentown City Council Chambers. During the meeting, protesters gathered in a courtyard located between the Allentown Police Department and City Hall. During the entire meeting, protesters banged on windows and used a megaphone in an attempt to disrupt the meeting. After the meeting, Councilperson Joshua Siegel joined the group in the courtyard and participated in a bow to Edward Borrero, Jr. who was arrested by the Allentown Police on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Disorderly Conduct – Engaging Fighting and Public Drunkenness, Councilperson Siegel publicly apologized to Mr. Borerro, undermining the Allentown Police Department. and

WHEREAS, By his actions on July 15, 2020, Councilperson Joshua Siegel has placed the City of Allentown in a position of admitting liability in future litigation; and

WHEREAS, on July 17, after investigation, both District Attorney Jim Martin and Chief Granitz concluded separately that there was no basis for believing that criminal action or disciplinary measures were warranted against the officers involved with Borrero; and

WHEREAS, at a July 29 meeting of Allentown City Council, Councilperson Joshua Siegeal admitted to publicly releasing Mayor O'Connell's private contact information to an angry mob. “I f---ed up,” he vulgarly acknowledged; and

WHEREAS, at that very meeting, Councilperson Joshua Siegel told his colleagues, "I am not a hypocrite. ... I respect you as my colleagues. I respect you as professionals  who I will work with. ... I want to be your friend." 

WHEREAS, just three days later, in an online meeting on August 1 with “allies”of the Black Lives Matter movement, Councilperson Joshua Siegel publicly disparaged other members of City Council by stating they “clearly don't either have a conscience or frankly don't care and they're fine with continuing to have police officers put their knees on the necks of Allentown citizens. They're fine with continuing to maintain an institution of policing that at its very core is designed to oppress people of poverty and people of color and keep them silenced and on the streets and keep them from speaking their minds.“ and

WHEREAS, by his actions, Councilperson Joshua Siegel has lost the respect and trust of his fellow Council members, betrayed his oath of office, and has shown himself unfit and unworthy to hold the position of Councilperson in the City of Allentown, PA. And

WHEREAS, Councilperson Joshua Siegel has actually hurt the Black Lives Matter movement and Allentown's minorities by his unethical conduct.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that City Council hereby censures and reprimands Councilperson Joshua Siegel for conduct that negatively reflects on this body, this city and the police officers of the city that put their lives on the line each and every day they report to work.

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED THAT Councilperson Joshua Siegel is hereby removed from all Committees on which he serves for the remainder of this year.

Updated 9:20 am:  Blogger Michael Molovinsky reports that a petition is circulating online, calling on both Council members Josh Siegel and Ce-Ce Gerlach to resign.