‘No Kings’ demonstration brings hundreds out in Cranberry Township
CRANBERRY TWP — Hundreds of people lined up along Route 19 and Freedom Road in Cranberry Township Saturday, June 14, with signs condemning actions taken by President Donald Trump.
The protest started around noon Saturday, though protesters started gathering shortly after 11 a.m. At its peak, the protest had an estimated 650 to 700 people participating.
“Nobody, no one should want a king. Nobody should want a ruler. We’re a country that stands for democracy for everyone,” Debbie Barger, the main organizer of the demonstration, said.
The protests spanned across all four corners of the intersection, with people lined up all the way from St. Francis Way to Short Street and Nickolas Drive.
No Kings is a nationwide collection of protests and demonstrations against the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration. Several others were planned around western Pennsylvania. The protests were organized to coincide with Trump’s organized military parade in Washington, D.C., which was also scheduled to take place Saturday.
“It’s happening all over the country, it’s not just small groups of people,” Catherine Lalonde, chairwoman of the Butler County Democratic Committee, said.
According to its website, the “No Kings” event was organized by over a hundred organizations, due to what it characterizes as the Trump administration defying court orders, attacking civil rights and “disappearing people off of the streets.”
“This is a celebration of America,” TJ McCracken said at the demonstration. “No kings is what America is. We’re surrounded by a bunch of people who believe in the same thing, and that is America is the land of the free.”
Recent events, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids around the country, and Trump mobilizing the National Guard in California to handle Los Angeles protests, have heightened the anger, according to many who attended the protest.
“I’m here because the theme of it is ‘No kings,’ and America doesn’t accept autocracy, we don’t accept authoritarian rule. There’s rule by law, and everyone deserves their day in court; there’s processes and statutes that have to be followed, and that’s not happening right now,” Ed Christ said. “We need to speak up and say no, that’s not who America is.”
Protesters cited a range of reasons for turning out, such as protecting Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, the administrations policies on tariffs, immigration and deportations, supporting LGBTQ+ rights, and layoffs implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency.
“We’re here to protect Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, education,” Barger said. “The Department of Veterans Affairs, the judges have put that mass firing on hold, and we’re here to make that known.”
Other signs expressed general support for America and Democracy, called Trump a fascist, and criticized figures like Elon Musk and Butler’s congressional representative, Mike Kelly, R-16.
“We’ve had these going on, because Trump’s deciding himself what to do, with executive orders and things like that; it’s not how it’s supposed to work,” Lalonde said.
Throughout the protest, the Cranberry Township Police Department drove around monitoring to make sure nobody stepped into the road or created any unruly situations. Barger and various other protesters expressed their gratitude to the police department for maintaining a peaceful environment while those protested lined up along Route 19 and Freedom Road.
“This protest, this peaceful protest, is just one of the things we can do in order to let people know, make people aware,” Dale Noelting said. “United we stand, divided we fall. It’s great to see so many people here interested in taking a stand for what they believe in.”
Frequent “U.S.A.” and “No kings” chants filled the neighborhood while cars frequently honked, with occasional opposition expressed from drivers.
Protesters also made a point of waving American flags, with hundreds at the demonstration.
“The constitution is very important, as is the flag. Today’s flag day, and we honor the flag, and it’s the United States Army’s 250th birthday,” Cathy Smith said. “We have politicians who are not upholding the constitution.”
Those in attendance were happy to see the turnout, especially given Butler County’s political makeup. The county gave over 65% of its vote to Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
“What’s amazing is that this is Butler County. And Butler County’s a red county, that’s fine, but being a red county and having this kind of turnout tells me there’s people out there who say no, we don’t stand for this,” Christ said.
Those in attendance included people young and old, including some with families.
“I brought my family out here today because I want them to learn from the people that are here,” Lisa Quebedeaux, a Butler city council candidate, said. “Everyone here is here for a different reason, there’s small things and big things that inspired them to come out. For my children, it’s important to see it and understand what democracy is like, and what it means to stand up for it.”
Some attendees like Barger and Lalonde have attended demonstrations regularly, such as the protests against DOGE layoffs at the Butler VA in March. But for others, this was their first time.
Two sisters, Wendy and Katie Lincoln, said they attended Saturday’s demonstration for the first time, expressing disapproval over deportations and other action by the administration.
“I’ve been watching them online and in the news, and really feeling support for them, and thought maybe I should do something about it, instead of just watching news stories,” Wendy Lincoln said.
“I love the constitution, and I think we should follow it. It’s just everything that’s gone on,” Katie Lincoln added.
A common theme among protesters was the need to protect democracy, something they viewed as under attack by the Trump administration.
Protesters used their voices and signs to express pride in America, and that what is happening here is “not normal.”
“I’m a grandfather. And this isn’t a red issue or a blue issue, it’s a red, white and blue issue,” Lyle Ferderber said. “The erosion of our rights, as it happens in any other democracy that turns authoritarian, it happens slowly and step by step. And people have to come out and call politicians on it.”
