Some Verona residents upset over presence of armed 'militia' at Hula Bar

Several Verona residents and business owners expressed concern for their safety and the well-being of the borough after they saw suspected militia members at the Hula Bar, a popular bar and restaurant.

“Verona is a small, family-oriented community,” said Jeanine Hurt-Robinson, a resident and vice president of the Riverview School Board. “We have groups and individual residents who strive to promote positivity. The events that transpired on Sunday, Aug. 22 at the Hula Bar were concerning and disgusting.”

Armed civilians of the Iron City Citizens Response Unit, along with other groups and political candidates, took part in what was called a “Red, White and Blue Freedom Rally” that afternoon.

On its website, the group describes itself as “a well-regulated, well-trained, well-equipped and knowledgeable militia unit.”

There was a boat parade that day prior to the event. The rally was originally advertised to take place at the Tequila Cowboy bar on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.

However, Christian Miranda, Tequila Cowboy assistant general manager and head of security, said organizers took it upon themselves to attach the venue’s name to an event flyer that was not approved by the establishment.

Miranda said they were told there would be a small meeting and not a rally. But as it turns out, Miranda said, “We had no event here.”

Hula Bar co-owner Sherry Satz of Shaler said she was contacted by one of the event organizers, Barbie Lynn of the Gridlock Girls, a few days prior to Aug. 22. Lynn asked for permission to hold the rally at the Hula Bar.

Satz said there were no incidents at the bar. She said Iron City Citizens Response Unit served as security for the private event because of perceived threats by antifa.

Hurt-Robinson was one of several people who spoke at a council workshop meeting Aug. 31 against having the group in town. She said some onlookers were verbally accosted and she was called a derogatory name by one of its members.

“A self-proclaimed militia armed with visible weapons outside of the Hula was completely unnecessary and disrespectful to the residents and businesses of Verona,” Hurt-Robinson said. “The message of intimidation was loud and clear.”

Resident Jessica Varone said many residents did not feel safe with the group in the borough, and noted the Southern Poverty Law Center identified IC CRU as an extreme anti-government militia.

She said the unit’s apparel features images associated with white supremacy, specifically the three interlocked triangles called the Valknut. It’s an old Norse symbol that often represented the god Odin and the afterlife in carvings and designs, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The ADL also stated “nonracist pagans may also use this symbol.”

The symbol is also referred to as the “knot of the slain.”

Inner Groove Brewing co-owner Kelly Melle said someone from the rally walked around inside her business intimidating customers.

“I’m not sure if he was with the group, but he was definitely someone who had their ideology walking around with a bulletproof vest on in our business for some reason,” she said. “The optics on that whole block looked bad, which makes the rest of the businesses on that block look bad, because it wasn’t just contained to the corner (at Hula).”

Hula Bar co-owner Randy Satz, Sherry’s husband, said people are blowing things out of proportion.

“All the stuff that’s been said tonight, the white supremacist stuff, was malarkey,” Randy Satz said at the Aug. 31 meeting. “The hate group stuff was malarkey. If we can’t get together and get our politics together without being intimidated, where would we be at right now?”

Sherry Satz said there were multiple derogatory comments on social media about her and her business in response to hosting the rally.

Organizer denied

Solicitor Craig Alexander denied event organizer Christine Sypien an opportunity to speak during the public comment portion of the workshop because she is not a resident or a Verona property owner.

Sypien, outside of council chambers, denounced claims of bringing in a white supremacist hate group to Verona. She said Verona police were notified of the rally and the Iron City Citizens Response Unit’s presence.

“They always are our friends and protect us,” Sypien said. “Before I came here to the Hula Bar, I came here and talked to the chief of police, explained the situation (and) what we were doing. … We were honoring the military, the first responders and health care workers. That’s what we were originally doing. There were no incidents whatsoever.

“Because of our threats that we were getting, our speakers had asked if we had any security at all. That’s why our friends come with us all the time.”

CRU member comments

Iron City Citizens Response Unit member Matt Wakulik of Pittsburgh said they were at the bar as a deterrent for antifa and other socialist groups. He said his group was not paid to provide security. He also disagreed with some of the speakers as to what was worn by his group.

“We are in no part, way, shape or form a security company,” he said. “We did not get paid. We did not ask for payment. We have no security detail clearances. We are just armed citizens, which is 100% legal under the Second Amendment.

“We showed up with only handguns on our duty belt. We had no body armor. We had no bulletproof vests. So, whatever they were talking about is obviously not to my knowledge.

“There was absolutely no signs of hate. … The only hate (at the event) came from the people who were opposing (us). Calling us names, driving by (and) taking pictures, harassing us, calling us fascists. Taking pictures of us and going on social media bashing us and bashing this business owner. The only hate came from the other side.”

According to its website, the group’s bylaws state their mission, in part, is to “insure that all citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, physical characteristics, or national origin, shall have the right and opportunity to due process of the law as established and guaranteed by the document which guides this great nation.”

Wakulik also said there is no link to white supremacy and the Valknut. CRU posted how “the day was flawless” in its Twitter page. The tweet also referred to the group as “the baddest militia in PA.”

Future borough response

Mayor David Ricupero said the borough was contacted about the rally prior to the event.

He was under the impression there would be private security and did not know about an armed militia.

The mayor called it a learning experience and appreciated everyone’s comments about what took place.

“I understand everybody’s concerns and fears,” he said. “You learn from different things that happen throughout life. When somebody comes (to Verona), we’ll ask questions and take it case by case. We can’t tell them you’re not allowed to come in.”

Ricupero also confirmed there were no calls to the police or other incidents reported in connection with the Aug. 22 rally.

Councilman Joseph Warren said he requested to see video footage of the afternoon in question. He said all he saw was four hours from one camera at the nearby GetGo gas station that did not show anything at the bar.

He said the borough’s security camera system needs to be a top priority.

Councilwoman Sylvia Provenza said she helped the borough obtain a $75,000 grant to upgrade its camera system, and a plan needs to be set in motion on how to use the money.