Latest news with #SchuylkillCountyDemocraticCommittee
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘No Kings' protest planned in Saint Clair
Schuylkill County Democrats are planning a 'No Kings' protest rally against President Donald Trump's administration. The plans calls for protesters to gather from 11 a.m. until noon at the pedestrian bridge at the Coal Creek Commerce Center off Route 61 in Saint Clair. 'No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance,' according to the website The idea evolved from Trump comparing himself to a king. Protests will occur all over the nation. The website lists York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Carlisle and Jim Thorpe among the cities planning protests in Pennsylvania. Information about Saturday's event in Saint Clair was submitted to the national website, but for some reason did not make the list, said Todd Zimmerman, chairman of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee. 'It's all free speech,' Zimmerman said about the objectives of the event. The rally coincides with Trump's 79th birthday and his administration's planned military parade and celebration of the U.S. Army's 250th birthday in Washington, D.C. Zimmerman expects some passerby on Route 61 during Saturday's rally will show support by honking their car horns, while others may be less enthusiastic. 'We created a constitution to prevent a dictatorship,' Zimmerman said, adding that the actions taken by the Trump administration have real world consequences. Democrats contend that the Trump administration is testing the tenets of the U.S. Constitution regarding the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government. News of immigrants being arrested has sparked protests around the county, most recently in Los Angeles. Here at home, Ruben Rojas-Vargas, of Pottsville, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on May 30. Rojas-Vargas, 32, who has been in the United States for 16 years, was sent to a processing center in Phillipsburg, Centre County, where he remains, according to online records. 'We need immigrants,' Zimmerman said. 'I think the arrest of law-abiding immigrants is going to affect our economy.' With regards to security concerns for Saturday's rally, Saint Clair Borough Manager Roland Price said he has no plans to provide extra police presence for the event. 'I don't anticipate major issues,' Price said Friday. 'We have no objections to them protesting.'
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Photos: Democrats hold rally in Garfield Square
POTTSVILLE — Protesters gathered in Garfield Square to show their support for programs the Trump administration has been cutting. See photos from the rally below. READ MORE: Schuylkill Dems say 'hands off' to Trump, Musk * Protesters wave their signs as cars pass through Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Ukrainian flags lined the street at a rally in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Chair of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee Todd Zimmerman speaks at a protest in support of programs the Trump administration is cutting funds and personnel for at Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Manda Smarr Beers, center, holds up a sign reading 'You Don't Belong in Government!' with red lettering used on 'elon' within 'belong' during a protest at Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * A protester holds up a sign reading 'Hands Off Medicare Medicaid & Social Security' in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Protesters wave their signs as drivers pass through Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Protesters gather in support of various programs the Trump administration is cutting funds and personnel for in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * A pair holds up a sign with arrows going from Adolf Hitler to Vladmir Putin to Donald Trump during a protest in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * A protester holds a sign encouraging free speech at a rally in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * The American flag flies over Garfield Square in Pottsville during a protest in support of the programs the Trump administration is cutting funding and personnel for, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Laura Davenport, left, and Mary Noon, right, each hold up signs during a protest in support of programs the Trump administration is cutting funds and personnel for at Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * A Ukranian flag sticks out of a protester's pocket at Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * A person holds out a sign in support of fighting climate change during a protest at Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * The American flag flies over Garfield Square in Pottsville during a protest in support of the programs the Trump administration is cutting funding and personnel for, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * A sign reads 'Impeach President Musk' at a protest in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * A driver gives a thumbs up out the window of their vehicle during a protest in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 16 Protesters wave their signs as cars pass through Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Expand
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats to rally Saturday in Pottsville
POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill County Democratic Committee is hosting a rally in the city this weekend as a way for people to vent their frustration with President Donald Trump's administration. The 'Musk/Trump Take Your Hands of my … Rally' is set for 11 a.m. to noon Saturday in Garfield Square. In addition to giving people a chance to voice their disappointment in the Trump administration's policies and actions, they can show support for at-risk federal programs and agencies, said Todd Zimmerman, chairman of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee. Zimmerman said Saturday's rally is one of several planned in the county this year. Those attending are encouraged to bring signs to show support of key agencies facing closure by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Trump ally Elon Musk. 'Everyone is affected in different ways,' Zimmerman said. Residents have called or emailed the Democratic office with concerns about a variety of issues — especially the potential closing of Social Security offices — or asked how they can get involved, he said. Zimmerman suspects voters from other political parties are also surprised at actions Trump has taken since he began his second term in January, such as tariffs imposed against other nations that resulted in economic uncertainty. 'Every day it's like Russian Roulette with the tariffs,' he said. Also, the mass firing of probationary government employees is causing confusion for many people. 'Government is necessary,' Zimmerman said. He conceded there is some excess that could be trimmed, but said mass firings are not the way to go about it. Another issue the rally aims to address is support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Zimmerman said he expects some counter-protesters will attend Saturday's rally to show support of Trump's policies, which is their right to do. More information on this and other events can be found at
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rally in Pottsville aims to ‘Save our Constitution'
POTTSVILLE — A downtown Pottsville intersection on Saturday drew close to 100 people chanting, holding signs, and otherwise calling attention to what they see as a constitutional crisis unfolding since President Donald Trump started his second term. The hour-long 'Save our Constitution' rally was held by the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee on four corners at the intersection of Centre and Market streets. The cuts to federal programs, services and employees that Trump, Elon Musk and the administration are enacting are damaging to many families and to the nation as a whole, said committee chairman Todd Zimmerman. 'Everybody knows someone who is being hurt by this,' he said. And even those who do not realize the harm that those cuts are causing should see that Trump is overstepping his authority and weakening the Constitution, he said. To try to help halt or reverse what is occurring, the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee plans to hold a similar rally every month, though the locations may change, he said. Saturday's event was peaceful, with many of those in passing vehicles giving the protestors thumbs ups, horn honks and cheers. A smaller number of passers-by yelled words of support for Trump, and just a few yelled obscenities. Protesters gather in downtown Pottsville for a 'Save Our Constitution' rally, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Most of those at the rally held signs with messages such as 'Resist Fascism,' 'Truth Decay,' 'Stop Firing Veterans,' and 'Democracy, Not Autocracy.' The chants included one of 'No king,' and another of 'He's not your friend. He'll screw you too.' 'Open your eyes, Republicans,' several people shouted. There seemed to be only once vocal Trump backer, Ellen Kurek, whose sign read 'Support our President.' 'He's done so much,' she said of Trump, saying he is cutting government fraud and the abuse of taxpayer money. 'I think he's doing a great job. How can they complain? And I think we should support our president no matter who won the election.' Ellen Kurek stands by herself holding a sign reading 'Support Our President' on the corner of Centre and Market in Pottsville, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Dan Rickert of Coaldale, though, sees things differently. 'Of course we're all against waste, fraud and crime, but we don't need to go at everything with a chainsaw,' said Rickert, whose sign read 'You Protect Democracy.' The Trump administration's firing of distinguished generals and Department of Justice investigators, and his attempts to dismiss government watchdogs from numerous agencies, are the acts of 'tyrants,' he said. 'They're going to be putting in people they know will say 'yes boss' to Trump,' Rickert said. 'That's not democracy. The guardrails are off.' Debbie Sheehan of Schuylkill Haven said that she is a registered Republican, but that above party she supports 'common sense, decency and morals,' which she feels Trump lacks. 'Our entire country is being bullied,' Sheehan said. A number of people said they are troubled by cuts to the Veterans Administration and veterans' benefits. Concerns about the future of Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare were also common. Susan Koomar of Nesquehoning, Carbon County, came largely because she is scared about how her 94-year old mom, Eva Koomar, and many other Americans will be harmed by massive reductions in programs. 'I want to fight for her,' she said. 'They're not cutting waste, they're cutting indiscriminately, and this is just the beginning. I'm fearful for our seniors, our veterans, the sick and the needy. We need compassion and honesty, not just this insane cruelty and greed.' Susan Koomar holds a sign reading 'Protect Social Security' during the 'Save Our Constitution' rally in downtown Pottsville, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) With so many scientists being let go from federal agencies, she worries about another deadly pandemic on the horizon. And the nation's foreign policy under Trump also concerns Koomar. 'Our allies no longer trust us, and our enemies no longer fear us,' she said. Protesters gather in downtown Pottsville for a 'Save Our Consitution' rally, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Zimmerman said that following Trump's election, there was a lot of disappointment and frustration among local Democrats. 'We were moribund,' he said. But now the Trump administration's actions have been so out of bounds that the Democrats are re-energized, which he believes will show in this year's local elections. 'This is going to resonate,' he said.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Save Our Constitution' rally is Feb. 22 in city
POTTSVILLE — Concerned about what they see as an erosion of the U.S. Constitution, the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee is holding a rally to bring attention to the cornerstone of U.S. government. The 'Save Our Constitution' rally is set for 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 at all four corners of Mahantongo and Centre streets in Pottsville, said Todd Zimmerman, chairman of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee. 'This is a peaceful protest. We are not going to disrupt traffic or anything,' Zimmerman said Wednesday. He said people were asking for a visible way to show their concern for the actions that President Donald Trump has taken since being sworn in Jan. 20. The rally is planned to coincide with a quarterly meeting in the city for Democratic committee members. 'We want to make sure we have three branches of government,' Zimmerman said. Democrats contend that the Trump Administration is testing the tenets of the U.S. Constitution regarding the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government. 'The pardoning of the Jan. 6th people — especially the violent ones — that raised alarms,' Zimmerman said about the dangers facing this country. 'So many things are happening that are considered unconstitutional,' Zimmerman said. For instance, Trump is making decisions that should be reserved for the Congress, he said. Typically, average citizens don't think about the decisions of the president unless they directly affect them. Scholars of the constitution say the U.S. is in a crisis, marked by the flurry of executive orders — and the rescinding of orders — in the early days of the Trump presidency. One example of the chaos was Trump's budget office freezing and then unfreezing spending on federal loans and grants. Other examples include threats of deportation based on immigrants' political views, retaliation against Jan. 6 investigators; widespread firing at federal agencies and agency shut-downs. Zimmerman said supporters will be holding signs about economic issues and making their voices heard. He did not have a crowd estimate.
