Hundreds of people gathered in Perry Square for an afternoon filled with speeches, music, and information on pro-democracy values and the power of collective action. Waving signs and chanting in unison, attendees made their voices heard in support of No King’s Day in Erie.
The energy of the crowd reflected both purpose and positivity. Karis Turk, the lead organizer of 5051 Erie said, “Protesting is about action, but it’s also about joy and so we love to see people come out and getting to meet new people that may not have been involved before.”
For Turk, getting involved was about being part of something bigger than herself. After joining 5051 Erie, she stepped into a leadership role to help organize events like this. As Turk explained, “I felt like instead of staying at home I really needed to do something, so I linked up with the old co-lead and started organizing last year.”
The rally offered more than just speeches, it created an interactive experience for attendees. With vendors, music, and hands-on activities, participants were encouraged to engage directly with the issues that matter most.
Organizers were encouraged by the turnout and the impact the event had on the community. As Turk explained, “it’s something that I never expected to be involved in and it’s so heartening for people to see us as a resource to get involved in places that maybe they haven’t before or they are still getting educated and see us as trusted source.”
The rally remained peaceful, something attendees emphasized as essential in today’s climate. Linda Trohoske, a participant pointed out the diversity of perspectives represented and said, “We also have people across the political spectrum too. We have Republicans coming out, Independents coming out, Green Party, Libertarian party, people know the difference between right and wrong”
As the event concluded, the message moving forward was clear, stay engaged and take action. For many, that begins at the ballot box. Susan Martin reinforced this call to action, reminding attendees, “Every seat matters, every election matters, get out there to vote, get your family to vote, it’s so important.”