The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is not allowing a 5K run to place at the Shenango dam in honor of 37-year-old Matthew Perna, who passed away in February.

Perna pleaded guilty to his involvement in the January 6th insurrection.

According to his obituary, "Perna's heart and spirit" died after his family says he was "persecuted by members of the community."

His family members tell 21 News the run will take place in a different location in the city of Sharpsville. 

The Army Corps said they declined the request to host the run across the Shenango River Lake Dam because the event was sponsored by a political organization called "Patriot Freedom Project," which specifically exists to support January 6th defendants.

While the Army Corps said the event permit requested by the "Patriot Freedom Project" proposed "a beneficial purpose of raising awareness about suicide, organizers say the larger goal of the event is to support what the organizers call "Patriot victims of J6.'"

The Army Corps added, "In this case, the apparent purpose of the Matthew Perna Freedom 5K is to further and promote the activities of a special interest group with a specific political - rather than strictly recreational – purpose."

The district said they maintain a neutral stance toward all political activities and declines to associate itself or endorse any kind of political event.

The Pittsburgh Army Corps District said they take suicide prevention seriously and extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Matthew Perna.