Since 2015, Lt. Commander Joshua Corney, an active duty naval officer and a resident of Glen Rock, York County, has played a recording of “Taps” every evening before 8pm from speakers on his five-acre property.

On June 23, 2017, the borough issued a cease-and-desist letter to Lt. Commander Corney, insisting that he limit his amplified musical tribute to Sundays and “flag” holidays, under threat of a criminal penalty of 300 dollars per violation. On July 5, the ACLU of Pennsylvania sent a letter to the borough council on Lt. Commander Corney’s behalf, noting that the borough’s threat of punishment violates Corney’s First Amendment rights.

Press Releases

Attorney(s)

Witold Walczak and Molly Tack-Hooper, ACLU of Pennsylvania; Seth Kreimer, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Date filed

June 23, 2017

Status

Open