All along Penn Avenue Saturday afternoon near the border of Wyomissing and West Reading, masses of people lined the street.
Some held signs with slogans like “Keep the immigrants, deport the racists,” “United we resist” or “Rights for others doesn’t mean fewer rights for you.” Most joined spirited chants, shouting things like “This is what democracy looks like.”
Every few seconds, a passing motorist would honk their horn in a show of support for the protesting thousands. Some would wave, and a few made the shape of a heart with their hands.
The scene was filled with passion, with people vigorously voicing their beliefs. At the top of that list was anger toward and opposition to the man living in the White House.
The large crowds, which also extended down side streets, were taking part in a “No Kings” protest. It was one of more than 2,500 held across the U.S. on Saturday, organized by a broad coalition of groups that include the liberal organization Indivisible and the American Civil Liberties Union as a peaceful show of disagreement with the direction of the country under President Donald Trump.
Organizers of the events, which were expected to draw millions, say they are worried over what they see as the growing level of authoritarianism within his administration.
A protest was also held on Saturday in Kutztown, where organizers said more than 600 gathered at West Main and North Whiteoak streets.
Defending their cause
Some Republicans portrayed the demonstrations as “hate America” rallies, suggesting the protests are being led by the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party. Those who gathered on Penn Avenue said that is far from the truth.
“Democracy is worth fighting for,” Linda Alspach said. “And, unlike what some people say, we do not hate America. We love America because it was created on the ideals of democracy, and we want to keep it that way.”
Alspach attended the protest with her longtime partner, Harry Prutzman, who was performing songs he penned for the occasion. Alspach said he has written hundreds of songs highlighting his opposition to Trump and his administration’s policies.
Harry Prutzman of Hamburg sings original protest songs. Thousands of Berks Countians turned out Saturday at Penn Avenue and Park Road as part of the nationwide No Kings rally protesting the policies of the Trump administration. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Others in the crowd likewise eschewed the notion that they are anti-American. They said their protest was an effort to preserve freedom and rule of law.
“I’m embarrassed and angry with the direction the country is going under President Trump,” Martin Jacobson said. “The tariffs he has imposed, the harshness of his immigration policies and the dismantling of the Affordable Care Act are all things that I oppose. There are many more, but those are just a few that come to mind.”
The 76-year-old Wyomissing man was carrying a sign and holding a flag given to his father by Berks County when he returned home from serving in World War II. His sign said that upholding democratic values is the reason why his father and so many others put their lives on the line.
Jacobson said that during Trump’s first term he was hopeful that voters would realize the harm he was doing and turn on him, and he was happy with the 2020 election result. But Trump’s return to office has been discouraging, he said, and he’s fearful that president will find a way to stay in the White House.
“I’m not sure if this will end,” he said.
Martin Jacobson of Wyomising carries a flag that his father received from Berks County when he returned home from World War II. Thousands of Berks Countians turned out Saturday at Penn Avenue and Park Road as part of the nationwide No Kings rally protesting the policies of the Trump administration. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Shared fears
Those types of fears were common among members of Saturday’s crowd. And that’s why it was so important to hold a gathering where people could share them and feel understood, said Charles Corbit, one of the event organizers.
“When we have protests like this it creates a cathartic experience for people because it gives them a sense that they are not alone in this insane world and lets them know that there are people out there who care,” he said. “It’s also a way for us to get volunteers who will help spread the word about the importance of voting, which is the way we can create change.
“I believe that we all succeed if we succeed together, and diversity and inclusiveness is key to that success.”
Corbit admitted that the protest didn’t portray that diversity, with mostly white faces in the crowd. He said there’s a very good reason for that: Fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“What you won’t see here is a lot of brown people, and we want to make that known because they are afraid of ICE so we have to use our privilege in the right way to make sure we are representing all the people who are under threat,” he said.
Andrew Slichter of and Annie Francis, both of Mount Penn, have their own take on the Gadsden flag. Thousands of Berks Countians turned out Saturday at Penn Avenue and Park Road as part of the nationwide No Kings rally protesting the policies of the Trump administration. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Andrew Slichter, who attended the rally with his girlfriend, Annie Francis, said that was his intention.
“I understand my responsibility to be here as a white man,” the 39-year-old Mount Penn man said. “There are people who cannot be here because they are fearful of the authorities. I have the privilege to be here for all those people.”
Slichter said he’s fed up with Trump trying to consolidate power by disobeying federal court orders and using the Department of Justice to go after political opponents.
Francis said the sense of community she was witnessing at the protest made her emotional.
“My hands are actually shaking,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed by the support of my community and from the people passing by. This gives me hope.”
Laura Hug of Reading, left, and Pat Perfect of West Lawn protest. Thousands of Berks Countians turned out Saturday at Penn Avenue and Park Road as part of the nationwide No Kings rally protesting the policies of the Trump administration. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
A sense of hope
Pat Perfect, 75, West Lawn, said knowing that she was one of millions across the nation protesting Trump administration authoritarianism made her feel a bit brighter at a time when the world feels so dark.
“We need to stand up for our freedoms because it has become evident that no one in Washington is going to do it for us,” she said. “We have to preserve democracy and our Constitution, and seeing all these people here today gives me hope that we will prevail.”
A group of teenage girls wore foil crowns emblazoned with “No King” in black letters. One of them held a sign that read “I’m learning about this in history. It doesn’t go well.”
Sydnee Reimer, left, and Chloe Smith, both 14 of Wyomissing, attend the protest. Thousands of Berks Countians turned out Saturday at Penn Avenue and Park Road as part of the nationwide No Kings rally protesting the policies of the Trump administration. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Chloe Smith was among the group. The 14-year-old said that since they are too young to cast a ballot, they decided taking part in the protest would be the best way to demonstrate their support for those who may feel under attack.
“The only way I can take a stand is to support the cause,” Smith said. “I learn about the political process in school, but my parents are the ones who motivate me to pay attention and talk about the issues.”
Rita Fredericks said she is trying her best to pass along that message to her own young family members. The 77-year-old Robesonia resident attended the protest with her great-granddaughter Alexyiana Williams.
“We are morphing into a dictatorship right before our eyes, and if people don’t stand up and recognize that it will be too late,” she said. “People are not paying attention and that is what we are out here today.”
Fredericks said preserving democracy for future generations is top of mind.
“We are standing out here for them, and I’m trying my best to educate the young people in my life about why standing up for this cause is so important,” she said.
Rita Fredericks, 77, of Robesonia attends the rally with her great-granddaughter Alexiyani Williams, 19, of Reading attend the rally. Thousands of Berks Countians turned out Saturday at Penn Avenue and Park Road as part of the nationwide No Kings rally protesting the policies of the Trump administration. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Thousands of Berks Countians turned out Saturday at Penn Avenue and Park Road as part of the nationwide No Kings rally protesting the policies of the Trump administration. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Rally Rousers accompany the protest with band music. Thousands of Berks Countians turned out Saturday at Penn Avenue and Park Road as part of the nationwide No Kings rally protesting the policies of the Trump administration. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)