Local opponents of President Donald Trump held four No Kings rallies on Saturday in the Northeast.
Trump’s foes claim he is escalating an authoritarian power grab.
Local rallies took place at Susquehanna and Verree roads, 9800 Roosevelt Blvd., Northwood Park and Martins Mill Road and Tabor Avenue.
More than 50 people gathered at Martins Mill Road and Tabor Avenue, while over 200 people attended the rally at Susquehanna and Verree.
At the Bustleton Bengals field near the Boulevard, a little more than 100 people attended a rally organized by 215 People’s Alliance and Philadelphia Neighborhood Network. Signs included, “I stand with immigrants,” “Impeach now,” “No War, No ICE, No Kings” and, “MAGA: Make Authoritarians Go Away.”
Speakers included legislative candidate Rob Gurtcheff, attorney Aliza Shatzman and activists Melissa Robbins and Melanie Silva.
Gurtcheff, a Democrat challenging state Rep. Martina White, railed against a “corrupt administration” and a “wannabe dictator.”
Robbins, like Gurtcheff a U.S. Army veteran, said voting rights and protections for federal employees are under assault. The crowd booed when she mentioned the SAVE America Act, legislation backed by Trump that would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote and photo ID when casting a ballot.
Robbins and other Democrats contend the act presents obstacles related to obtaining passports and birth certificates, particularly for married women whose surname on their legal ID does not match their birth certificate. ••
