Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis spoke during a “No Kings” protest Saturday in Downtown Pittsburgh.

“Every day, Donald Trump has been putting American families at risk,” Davis told the crowd of a few hundred in front of the City-County Building.

He told the crowd that just in the past week, troops were deployed to Los Angeles, Trump called for a governor to be thrown in jail, and two Minnesota state legislators were shot in their homes.

“This is not the America I know. This is not the America we were founded on, this is not American values,” Davis said.  

He said the large crowds send a message that America was founded “for the people and by the people,” and that those people are concerned about the “dangerous” actions the Trump administration is taking. 

“Every day we’ve seen President Trump roll back our rights and freedoms,” Davis said.

He also spoke one-on-one with KDKA-TV, saying Trump has been abusive in how he’s used his power. 

“He has acted in a way that has sewn distrust in our government system, and it’s caused many, many of our institutions to fail and to suffer, and these folks are exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms to send a message,” Davis said. 

He encouraged people to get involved in their communities to create change, saying that protesting is just the beginning, and added that everyone has a role to play, including those in the crowd. 

“I think they’re organizing. I think what you’re seeing is a mass organizing and mobilization of folks, and this organization is going to continue to the ballot box,” Davis said. 

Indivisible Pittsburgh and the Black Political Empowerment Project organized the rally. It was the latter and smaller of the two rallies Saturday in the city.

Protests are expected across the Pittsburgh area today as part of a nationwide demonstration known as “No Kings.” 

Several gatherings are planned in connection with events in Washington, D.C., and President Trump’s birthday. 

Meanwhile, local officials say that they’re monitoring the situation and preparing as needed. Police have added that they’re prepared for anything that may come their way in connection with the many demonstrations planned across Allegheny, Washington, and Butler counties, and beyond. 

While most of the demonstrations are expected to take place in Downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday, police, EMS, and firefighters will be on standby. 

If you’re one of the people headed to these demonstrations or traveling through other demonstration areas, be prepared for potential road closures and traffic delays. 

Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Director, Lee Schmidt, said they’ve been in contact with protest organizers and have made it clear they will not be tolerating outside groups coming in and causing destruction, something that’s been seen recently in Los Angeles. 

If violence or property damage occurs, Schmidt said that charges will be filed; however, the goal is for these events to remain peaceful. 

“Us and the demonstrators that we’ve been working with will not tolerate that,” Schmidt said during a press conference on Thursday. “They do not want outsiders coming in and engaging in destroying public property or private property. None of us feels that’s helpful or sends the right message. It is about being peaceful, getting your First Amendment rights out without destruction of our city.”

“I reaffirm that the freedom to freely express our unique views is a core value that defines our democracy,” Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said in a statement on Saturday morning. “The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, and the right to protest. These rights are not only protected, but they are also essential to the continued health and strength of our democracy. 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. 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.”  

These demonstrations aren’t just limited to downtown. If you have to travel today, be aware that you may encounter large crowds. 

We will have coverage of the demonstrations throughout the region throughout the day on Saturday on air and on KDKA.com.

More than 50,000 are expected at the “No Kings” protest in Philadelphia on June 14, as protesters reject “Trump’s birthday parade” as a “lavish display of dominance” that strips Flag Day of its true purpose.

Indivisible and the 50501 Movement, among other activist groups, are decrying what they say are Trump’s attempts to stage a spectacle of strength in Washington, D.C. during the Army’s 250th Birthday Parade.

While the Philly rally is the nation’s flagship protest, there are many other No Kings rallies planned in Bucks County.

Here’s all you need to know about “No Kings” protests in Bucks County, as well as those being held nearby in Pennsylvania.

• Langhorne: Congressman Fitzpatrick’s Office (1717 Langhorne-Newtown Road), 12-2 p.m.
• Quakertown: Triangle Park 304 W Broad St, Quakertown, 12-2 p.m.
• Doylestown: Main and East Court streets (in front of old Courthouse), 6-8 p.m.
• Harleysville: Meadowbrook Plaza 280 Main Street, Harleysville, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• Lambertville/New Hope: Location TBA, 9-10:30 a.m.
• Springfield Delco: Baltimore Pike and Route 320, 1 p.m.
• Delco: Delaware County Courthouse, 12 p.m.
• Havertown: Intersection of Eagle Road and Sunnyhill Lane, 12 p.m.
• Ardmore: Ardmore and Lancaster aves., 10 a.m.

Anti Trump protests Philadelphia; Here’s where, when ‘No Kings’ Philly protest is

“No Kings” organizers say Philadelphia will be host of the “major flagship march and rally.” Those who plan to attend are asked to sign up to the event online. Here’s details of the Philadelphia event:

• Where: LOVE Park, Arch and North 15th streets, Philadelphia
• When: Saturday, June 14
• Time: 12 to 3 p.m.
• Sign-up: Sign up with your name, email and zip code via Mobilize here

There are also two “Philadelphia pre-game” rallies at 9:30 a.m., one at Norristown Train Station, located at 101 DeKalb St. and another at the Lansdale Train Station on 80 W Main St.

What are June 14 protests?

The anti-Trump nationwide movement known as “NO KINGS Nationwide Day of Defiance” coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday. Trump took to Truth Social on June 6 and invited Americans to what he called an “unforgettable” celebration, “one like you’ve never seen before.”

The Army is not calling the event a birthday parade for Trump, but Trump will be attendance and has several times over the years expressed his desire for a large military parade in the U.S. He is also playing a role in the Army celebration, which had previously not included a rare U.S. parade. Parade plans include vintage warplanes, thousands of soldiers, horses and more.

“No Kings National Day of Defiance” — or simply “No Kings” protests — are being planned across the nation on Saturday, June 14 — which falls on Flag Day, on the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration and Trump’s birthday.

Organizers are protesting what they say are Trump’s attempts at displaying authoritative dominance, particularly during his birthday celebration in a “spectacle meant to look like strength,” states a release from Indivisible, who has partnered with dozens of advocacy groups.

What is ‘No Kings’?

Organizers say action is being taken to reject the notion the country is ruled by a “king” and to show what democracy looks like: “people, united, refusing to be ruled.”

“This country doesn’t belong to a king — and we’re not letting him throw himself a parade funded by tens of millions of our taxpayer dollars while stealing from us and stripping away our rights, our freedoms, and the programs our families rely on,” the release states.

What is Indivisible?

Indivisible, a grassroots political activism group focused on progressive causes, was founded in response to Trump’s 2016 election as president. The National organization’s founders and former congressional staffers, Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin, were included in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2019. The powerful network has branched out into a statewide network of groups, including nearly 50 in New Jersey.

What does 50501 mean?

The 50501 Movement is a grassroots initiative that was born on the social platform Reddit and under the hashtag #50501 in the early days of Trump’s second inauguration. It stands for 50 protests in 50 states on 1 day, which has since evolved to 50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement. They last organized May Day Strong protests last month.

Is there a ‘No Kings’ protest in Washington, D.C.?

No, there will not be a “No Kings” protest in Washington, D.C. on June 14. D.C.-area residents are encouraged to join the Philadelphia protest or others in Maryland or Virginia.

Free DC, a movement led by D.C.-based residents, are hosting a community-led event called “DC Joy Day” in Anacostia Park Field 7 in D.C. from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Other ‘No Kings’ Pennsylvania protests, June 14 protests in PA

There are dozens of “No Kings” protests being held across Pennsylvania on June 14. Here are some others near southeast Pennsylvania area. To find the entire list of Pennsylvania rallies, check out the map here.

In New Jersey, there is a large rally planned at the Trenton State House Annex,145 W State St., at 12 p.m.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.