News

Tompkins Chamber cancels forum with elected officials for safety concerns

Tompkins Chamber cancels forum with elected officials for safety concerns

Photo: Saga Communications


ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce is canceling a community political discussion over safety concerns.

The Chamber is calling off the Policy Breakfast scheduled for August 28 at Ithaca College after concerning social media posts announcing protests of the event began circulating.

Officials say multiple posts feature pictures of the event’s planned participants along with violent imagery.

“We have spent months coordinating with federal, state, and local officials to develop a forum for open and constructive dialogue between levels of government to help create and advocate for policies to support our members, our partners, and the Tompkins County Community as a whole,” said Tompkins Chamber President and CEO Peggy Coleman. “It is disappointing that outside forces are restricting that exchange of ideas.”

The panelists scheduled to speak were Congressman Josh Riley, State Senator Lea Webb, Assemblymember Anna Kelles, and Tompkins County Legislative Chair Dan Klein. All four are Democrats.

“The Tompkins Chamber fully supports every individual’s right to protest peacefully,” added Coleman. “We do not support or condone violence in any shape or form.”

Learn more about the Tompkins Chamber here.

Recent Headlines

19 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

This year’s song of the summer is a ballad, not a banger. Here’s what that says about us

For the past 14 weeks and counting, the top Billboard spot has been held by a love ballad: Alex Warren's "Ordinary." As Berklee College of Music professor and forensic musicologist Joe Bennett notes, the February release is "a fair bit slower than the mean average for the Hot 100, or for a historical song of the summer."

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Justin Bieber announces ‘Swag ll’ will arrive Friday

Never say never... again? In July, Justin Bieber surprised fans by releasing his seventh studio album, "Swag," hours after he teased it on billboards and social media posts. It turns out, he wasn't done yet. On Thursday morning, Bieber shared that "Swag II" will arrive on Friday.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Giorgio Armani, who dressed the powerful and famous from boardroom to Hollywood, dies at 91

Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian designer who turned the concept of understated elegance into a multibillion-dollar fashion empire, died Thursday, his fashion house confirmed. He was 91.

2 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Powerball jackpot jumps to $1.7 billion after another night without a big winner

The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion, after yet another drawing passed without a big winner Wednesday. The numbers selected were: 3, 16, 29, 61 and 69, with the Powerball number being 22.

3 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Amazon ends a program that lets Prime members share free shipping perk with users outside household

Amazon is ending a program that allows members of its Prime membership subscription program to share their free shipping benefits with people who don't have the same primary address.