STATE COLLEGE — Hundreds of residents gathered downtown Saturday, June 14, as part of the national “No Kings” protests, joining thousands of demonstrations across the country calling attention to threats to democracy and federal budget cuts that organizers say will harm Pennsylvanians and Americans alike.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, an organization in the coalition that helped put on the demonstrations nationwide, it’s estimated that more than 5 million people participated in about 2,100 rallies across the country and U.S. territories. That number estimate was backed up by the organization MoveOn, another partner in the demonstrations.
Keystone Indivisible, a Centre County group that launched in December, helped organize the event at the local level. Volunteers with the group led chants, held signs and rallied speakers to protest what they view as the erosion of democratic norms and the financial impact of proposed federal funding rollbacks.
“Peaceful movements win. Peaceful protest is at the core of the Indivisible movement,” Suzanne Weinstein, a member of Keystone Indivisible’s volunteer leadership team, said in a statement. “Our power comes not just from our numbers, but from how we show up. Movements that create lasting change do so by building trust, forging solidarity and standing true to their values.”
The group said it is particularly concerned about a proposed rescission package in the U.S. Senate, which they said would make a number of federal budget cuts permanent. Organizers said the cuts would affect health care access, food banks and recreational services, all programs that are vital to families across Centre County.
“No matter where you are on the political spectrum, the one thing that we can all agree on is that these cuts are bad for Pennsylvanians,” Weinstein said.
While the march on Saturday, June 14, was highly visible, Weinstein emphasized that it is just one piece of the organization’s strategy.
“There are two main things we are working on: specific actions like protests and long-term movement building,” Weinstein said. “That means we need systems in place, long-term planning and prioritization as well as training for community members, such as de-escalation training.”
The State College event remained peaceful and no incidents were reported. Organizers thanked local public safety officials for their presence and coordination during the demonstration.
The “No Kings” theme of the protest refers to what national organizers describe as an effort to push back against executive overreach and rising extremism. The day of action was scheduled to coincide with events in Washington, D.C., and other major cities.
“In America, we don’t do kings,” the “No Kings” movement’s website stated. “The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.”
Weinstein said the protest was intended not only to raise awareness of national policies but also to encourage participation from residents who may be new to activism.
“Even if you’ve never protested before, please think about joining us,” she said. “Courage is contagious, and America needs your courage right now.”
Looking ahead, Keystone Indivisible said it is focused on several key issues: the outcome of the rescission package in Congress and the Tuesday, Nov. 4, retention elections for three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices. Weinstein said the stakes are high, with both state and federal policies on the line.
“How issues like these turn out is the difference between a future that works for all of us, and one that is designed to benefit only billionaires,” she said.
Organizers hope the protest will spark continued interest in civic engagement across Centre County. Weinstein said the group is committed to building a base that can sustain pressure on elected officials beyond election cycles and headlines.
“We’ve joined this movement to save democracy and defeat authoritarianism,” she said. “We are working to build real community, coming together with neighbors to stand up for what we believe in and share how the federal cuts to needed services affect each of us.”
