ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown School District will close Tuesday "out of an abundance of caution" in the leadup to former President Donald Trump's rally at the PPL Center.
"After thoughtful consideration and in coordination with the Allentown Police Department, out of an abundance of caution, all Allentown School District Schools will be closed for students on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, due to a planned political rally in the city of Allentown," the district said in an email Monday.
"This event is expected to bring large crowds, heavy traffic, and potential disruptions that may impact the safety and security of our students and staff."Allentown School District release
"This event is expected to bring large crowds, heavy traffic, and potential disruptions that may impact the safety and security of our students and staff."
The district said its administration center and school offices will remain open until 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Administrators, safety officers, facilities services and 12-month clerical staff will report until 11:30 a.m.
All after-school activities and athletic events also are canceled.
Trump's visit will come two days after speakers at his rally in New York City unleashed racist and sexist rhetoric, including comments by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who during opening remarks at Madison Square Garden said Latinos "love making babies" and called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage."
The remarks have drawn condemnations across the political aisle, including in Allentown, a minority-majority city where more than 33,500 of its residents identified as Puerto Rican in the 2020 Census.
State police warn of travel impacts
State police also are advising the public of anticipated traffic disruptions in Hanover Township and Allentown related to Trump's visit.
Motorists should plan for traffic delays and intermittent road closures between 6-10 p.m. Tuesday in the following areas:
• Airport Road in Hanover Township
• American Parkway in Allentown
• Throughout Downtown Allentown
According to a release, it's likely the traffic disruptions will cause other roads throughout the region to also be impacted.
Motorists are encouraged to use www.511pa.com to follow the most up to date travel conditions throughout the region, the release said.
LANTA routes altered
With school canceled and the rally just blocks away from one of its major stops, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority will alter its services Tuesday in Allentown.
Due to road closures across the region, riders are advised to expect systemwide delays.
The ticket window at the Allentown Transportation Center on will be closed Tuesday, as will the lobby to the main LANTA office at 1060 Lehigh St.
Platform C at the ATC will close at 8 a.m. Tuesday; buses that use the platform will instead stop on Sixth Street.
In addition, all the 400 routes, which are open to the public but are designed to serve the Allentown School District, will be out of operation Tuesday.
