Hundreds of Berks County residents gathered at the intersection of 5th and Penn Streets in downtown Reading on Saturday for a peaceful demonstration as part of a nationwide day of protest. The event, held from 12 to 1 p.m., was one of many across the country organizers say marked the largest single day of action since President Donald Trump began his second term. Watch the livestream here.
Carrying signs and chanting messages, demonstrators called on President Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk to “take their hands off” programs they say are essential to working families and vulnerable communities. Issues raised included healthcare, Social Security, veterans services, education, civil rights, voting access, and immigrant protections.
The rally featured a series of local speakers, including community leaders, educators, and advocates. Among them were Jesse Royer, a township supervisor in Spring Township; Ruth Martelli, who spoke on Social Security; and Bernice Hines Corbit, who addressed reproductive rights. Other speakers focused on veterans’ services, labor rights, immigrant protections, education, and voting access.
Phila Back of Kutztown, the event organizer, said the rally was meant to send a message to national leaders about the real-life impact of policy decisions. “We are demanding an end to the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration,” Back said. “An end to slashing federal funds for Medicaid, Social Security and other programs working people rely on, and an end to the attacks on immigrants, trans people and other communities.”
Wenda Kincaid, president of the Berks County Chapter of the League of Women Voters, spoke about the importance of protecting access to the ballot. “Voting is the foundation of a healthy democracy,” Kincaid said. “Voter suppression—whether through the SAVE Act or Executive Order—is an assault on our republic and a dangerous attempt to silence American voters.”
Patty Torres, co-director of Make the Road Action in Pennsylvania and Make the Road Pennsylvania, addressed immigration policy. “No government should have the power to abduct our neighbors, rip parents away from their children, and profit from human suffering,” she said.
Saturday’s demonstration follows other recent actions in Berks County, including a smaller march in West Reading on March 15 and a postal workers’ rally in Wyomissing on March 23 opposing proposed changes to the U.S. Postal Service.
Organizers say residents are mobilizing across the county to hold elected officials accountable and advocate for the protection of public programs and civil liberties.
