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Western Pa. No Kings events against Trump policies draw hundreds in peaceful defiance | TribLIVE.com
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Western Pa. No Kings events against Trump policies draw hundreds in peaceful defiance

Megan Trotter, Brian C. Rittmeyer And Rich Cholodofsky
Megan Trotter, Brian C. Rittmeyer And Rich Cholodofsky
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Sean Stipp | TribLive
Aubrey Marquis of Latrobe, holds up flowers as a symbol of new beginnings and peace during the No Kings protest against the Trump administration at the Westmoreland County Courthouse courtyard in Greensburg on Saturday.
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Rich Cholodofsky | TribLive
Pa. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis speaks Saturday at a No Kings protest at the Wesmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg.
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Massoud Hossaini | TribLive
People gather at the City-County Building in Downtown Pittsburgh for a No Kings protest on Saturday.
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Massoud Hossaini | TribLive
People gather at the City-County Building in Downtown Pittsburgh for a No Kings protest on Saturday.
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Rich Cholodofsky | TribLive
People gather Saturday outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse in downtown Greensburg for a No Kings protest.
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Rich Cholodofsky | TribLive
People gather Saturday outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse in downtown Greensburg for a No Kings protest.
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Massoud Hossaini | TribLive
Demonstrators in the No Kings protest against the Trump administration chant slogans in front of the Pittsburgh City-County Building on Saturday.
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Sean Stipp | TribLive
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis speaks during the No Kings protest against the Trump administration at the Westmoreland County Courthouse courtyard in Greensburg.
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Sean Stipp | TribLive
Demonstrators in the No Kings protest against the Trump administration hold signs at the Westmoreland County Courthouse courtyard in Greensburg.
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Sean Stipp | TribLive
Demonstrators hold up protest signs during the No Kings protest against the Trump administration at the Westmoreland County Courthouse courtyard in Greensburg on Saturday.

Those who came out to No Kings protests Saturday in downtown Greensburg and Pittsburgh cited a multitude of reasons for joining the national movement to voice opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies.

“We are pro-democracy and we’re tired of resources being taken from everyday people to enrich billionaires,” Amanda Parks of Forest Hills said as she participated in the event on Grant Street outside the City-County Building in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Andrew Arsenault, 47, of North Huntington, said he traveled to the Pittsburgh protest because he’s worried how Trump’s policies affect his daughters.

“I’m afraid they’re gonna die,” he said. “I’m afraid they won’t get the health care they need, or they won’t have the choice to take care of their own selves.”

Saturday was billed as a nationwide day of defiance to protest the Trump administration. Events were held across Western Pennsylvania — in Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Cranberry — using the No Kings name.

Several hundred people came out to Cranberry’s main intersection of Route 19 and 228.

Another gathering in Mt. Lebanon later in the afternoon was attended by hundreds, according to Allegheny County Councilman Dan Grzybek.

No Kings organizers, who were not named, said demonstrations were held in more than 2,100 cities. By evening organizers were calling it a successful day of peaceful protests, according to an emailed statement.

No issues were reported at any of the Southwestern Pennsylvania events.

Pa. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis of McKeesport was among the speakers in Greensburg.

“We’re going to stand up to Donald Trump,” Davis told the crowd.

“I recognize that many in our city feel passionate about the issues facing our country, and I respect and support your right to make your voices heard,” Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said in a statement on Saturday. “Peaceful protest is a powerful tool for change, and throughout our nation’s history it has led to some of our greatest progress. I encourage all those attending planned protests to engage peacefully and responsibly.”

Saturday was also Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day. It will be capped by a 6:30 p.m. parade in Washington to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the formation of what became the U.S. Army.

The parade will feature military equipment, including tanks, as well as 6,600 uniformed soldiers and veterans, according to the Army.

Pittsburgh

Jaime Martinez, 23, of Casa San Jose said he was protesting for “liberty, respect and divinity for all” at the event in Downtown Pittsburgh.

“I didn’t spend my entire childhood pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, only for us to not be living up to those values today,” Martinez said.

Linda Kelley, of Crescent, said she was thinking of her late grandfather, Robert Welch, who served in the Army in World War II.

“They went and they fought and they took care of it for us. Now we have to do it again,” Kelley said. “We just want some Democrat leaders to stand up to this guy and start doing their jobs. We need Democratic leadership and we need it now. We don’t need a king, just leaders who want to take care of our country.”

People were also expected to gather at Freedom Corner on Crawford Avenue in the Hill District.

Pittsburgh officials worked with protesters in maintaining peace.

Director of Public Safety Lee Schmidt said officers talked with organizers to coordinate the best way to “protect their First Amendment rights and ensure safety of anyone who is participating in demonstrations.”

Pittsburgh No Kings protest organizers filed special event permits and registered the demonstrations with the city, Schmidt said. Police will maintain a barrier between the No Kings movement and any potential counterprotests.

Greensburg

“The mad king doesn’t think we exist,” Westmoreland Commissioner Ted Kopas said, referring to Trump. “He doesn’t want to hear us.”

Abby Graham-Pardus of Murrysville, chairperson of WTF Can I Do Westmoreland, said she expected more than 1,000 people at the Westmoreland County Courthouse courtyard.

Kopas, Davis and former county commissioner Tom Balya were among those who attended.

Retired Rev. Ronald Wanless of Ligonier was among the rallygoers.

“I’m here because of the mistreatment of immigrants and the use of military in our cities,” Wanless said.

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