BANGOR, Pa. — As thousands demonstrated against President Donald Trump across the Lehigh Valley on Saturday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie commemorated the 150th anniversary of Bangor at the closing ceremonies of the borough's weeklong festivities.
But he said demonstrators who protested outside his offices Saturday — and almost weekly since he opened his offices in February — have crossed the line.
Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, said Saturday's protesters were irresponsible for interfering with traffic along Freemansburg Avenue — not far from St. Luke's University Health Network's Anderson campus.
He also accused some protesters of harassing his staff in the past and condemned reports Saturday of a brief physical altercation at a protest along William Penn Highway.
"I think it is getting to the point where some of these people are taking it beyond the freedom of speech. It's getting to and leading to political violence," he said, pointing to the assassination of a Minnesota state representative early Saturday morning.
"I think it is getting to the point where some of these people are taking it beyond the freedom of speech. It's getting to and leading to political violence."U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley
Earlier Saturday, a reporter for LehighValleyNews.com saw vehicles slow down on Freemansburg Avenue and Emrick Boulevard to honk in support but did not see anyone interfering with traffic over a 90-minute period.
Bethlehem Township police have not returned a phone call about the incident on William Penn Highway, but witnesses said it involved a protester and counter-demonstrator, and the two men were quickly separated.
Mackenzie's comparison of the largely peaceful protest in Bethlehem Township to the death of a Democratic state representative 1,100 miles away drew a rebuke from a constituent standing nearby at the Bangor event.
"You can't paint a whole thing by one fistfight," the woman said, saying she was one of hundreds of people — many of them senior citizens — who stood in the rain for over an hour to exercise their First Amendment rights.
"I made the distinction between peaceful protest and political violence, OK?" Mackenzie said. "Peaceful protest is fine, but political violence is not."
Mackenzie, McClure at same event
The comments came shortly after Mackenzie addressed more than 100 people gathered in Bangor Memorial Park to celebrate the borough's sesquicentennial.
Besides drawing a crowd, it brought Mackenzie together with a political rival, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure.
The celebration included a birthday cake, inflatable games and the playing of the national and Welsh anthems; Welsh immigrants moved to Bangor in droves in the late 19th century for the community's then-booming slate industry and played a significant role in its development.
Mackenzie delivered brief remarks celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army's founding and presented borough council President James Kresge with a congressional certificate honoring the borough's anniversary as well as a new U.S. flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol Building.
"For 250 years, members of the Army — both men and women — have served with both bravery, valor and sacrifice for our country and to protect and preserve our freedoms. On this day we have a special opportunity to both thank and recognize them," Mackenzie said.
McClure, a Democrat who has launched a campaign seeking to oust Mackenzie in the 2026 midterms, was also on hand and delivered remarks for Flag Day, the national holiday coinciding with the anniversaries.
He compared Bangor's history of hard work, resilience and community to the American story. Generations of Americans who cherished those ideals have unified around the flag as a symbol of their values, turning it an object of reverence, he said.
"As we mark Bangor's 150th year and we raise our eyes to the red, white and blue above us, let's remember that we are part of something enduring, something greater than ourselves — a country not made perfect by its symbols but strengthened by the people that it stands for," McClure said.
Neither McClure nor Mackenzie appeared to interact with each other during the event. Other dignitaries in attendance included Northampton County Commissioners John Brown and Tom Giovanni, state Rep. Joe Emrick and borough Councilmen Jim Augustine and Marc Sperling.
Mackenzie had his pick of the litter of events to attend Saturday between the military parade in Washington, D.C., and other events throughout the region for the Army's anniversary and Flag Day.
However, he said it was an easy choice to come back to Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.
"I always love to come home as soon as session is out. Celebrating Bangor's 150th anniversary is a monumental occasion," he said.
