A look back at protest movements in State College, PA

Protest movements in State College often react and respond to broader social and political concerns. These articles reveal key issues such as labor rights, campus governance, immigration policies, and social justice driving public discourse.

Some of these articles reflect national movements that are organized locally, such as the "No Kings" and "Hands Off" rallies in response to President Donald Trump's policies. Others were organized by Penn State students in response to issues affecting the campus community, and others, such as weekly gatherings at U.S. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson's office, were led by local community members.

Climate change rallies and labor rights demonstrations show a community eager to address local and national policy challenges. Community leaders often stand up for vulnerable groups, emphasizing free speech and civic participation, while calls for unity reflect concern over executive actions affecting education, immigration, and social justice.

Community members rally against Trump’s policies and encourage Sen. Dave McCormick to support working families on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at the Allen Street gates. By Abby Drey

NO. 1: ‘WORKERS OVER BILLIONAIRES.’ STATE COLLEGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS RALLY AGAINST TRUMP’S POLICIES

Roughly 50 community members gathered at Friday's rally, after which some were set to deliver a letter to Sen. Dave McCormick’s local office. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

About 100 community members gathered at the Allen Street gates in downtown State College on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in support of Ukraine. By Jessica McAllister

NO. 2: STATE COLLEGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS RALLY SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE, ZELENSKY AFTER WHITE HOUSE CLASH

About 100 people gathered at the Allen Street gates, in what’s expected to be a weekly gathering. | Published March 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jessica McAllister

About 50 people attended a climate rally held on Monday, March 24, 2025 on the HUB lawn. By Cooper Pan

NO. 3: 'CLIMATE CAN'T WAIT.' PENN STATE STUDENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS RALLY AGAINST TRUMP POLICIES

About 50 people attended a climate rally on the HUB lawn. | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sofia Miranda

Sarah Dweik speaks during the Students for Justice in Palestine protest outside of Old Main on Tuesday, April 1 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 4: PENN STATE STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE PROTEST DURING ‘WEEK OF RAGE’ EVENTS

About 40 people participated in the event outside of Old Main. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Halie Kines

Sophia Mills waves a transgender flag during the Centre LGBT+’s Transgender Day of Visibility celebration at the Allen Street gates on Monday, March 31, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 5: STATE COLLEGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF TRANS RIGHTS ON DAY OF VISIBILITY

Centre LGBT+ held a rally at the Allen Street gates, after which another group led a march through downtown streets. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Abby Drey

Protesters hold signs and umbrellas Saturday while listening to speakers at the “Hands Off!” rally at State College’s Sidney Friedman Park, in opposition of President Donald Trump. The event was part of a nationwide effort that saw more than 1,000 similar rallies held across all 50 states. By Cooper Pan

NO. 6: MORE THAN 500 PROTEST AGAINST TRUMP IN ‘HANDS OFF!’ RALLY AT STATE COLLEGE PARK

The event was part of a nationwide effort that saw more than 1,200 similar rallies held across all 50 states. | Published April 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Josh Moyer

A group of about 50 Penn State student protesters marched in the streets in downtown State College on Tuesday evening after meeting at the Allen Street Gates. By Halie Kines

NO. 7: PENN STATE STUDENTS MARCH IN STREET IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRANTS, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

A group of about 50 protesters snarled traffic in downtown State College on Tuesday evening. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Halie Kines

A group of anti-ICE protesters gather at the Allen Street Gates in State College on Thursday, June 12, 2025. By Jaden Perry

NO. 8: ANTI-ICE PROTESTERS MARCH THROUGH DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE STREETS

A rally that started at the Allen Street Gates moved to the streets Thursday evening. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Halie Kines

NO. 9: ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST SET FOR STATE COLLEGE, WITH MANY ALSO HEADED TO BLAIR COUNTY

Several Centre County groups have already committed to attend a protest in Hollidaysburg, but hundreds of locals are also expected at the State College protest. | Published June 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Josh Moyer

About 1,000 protesters attended the anti-Trump “No Kings” rally on Saturday in downtown State College near the Allen Street gates. The rally was part of a nationwide series of demonstrations that railed against what organizers described as President Donald Trump’s executive overreach, immigration crackdowns/civil rights violations, cuts to essential services, etc. By Josh Moyer

NO. 10: STATE COLLEGE ‘NO KINGS’ RALLY DRAWS HUNDREDS, PART OF NATIONWIDE ANTI-TRUMP PROTEST

One gray-haired woman, who moved to State College in 1970, said she never saw a larger group of protesters at the Allen Street gates. | Published June 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Josh Moyer

Ray Bilger holed a sign that reads ÒTrump Thompson TraitorsÓ as he and other protestors gather outside of U.S. Rep Glenn ÒGTÓ ThompsonÕs office on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 11: HEATWAVE OR NOT, CENTRE COUNTY PROTESTERS STILL SHOWING UP TO GLENN THOMPSON’S OFFICE

A dedicated group continues to show up at the Congressman’s office every Tuesday to rail against his “poor votes” and support of President Trump. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaden Perry

More than 100 protesters rallied at the Allen Street gates Thursday, July 17, 2025 to protest President Trump and honor the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis. By Jaden Perry

NO. 12: CENTRE COUNTY RESIDENTS HONOR JOHN LEWIS, PROTEST TRUMP AT ‘GOOD TROUBLE’ EVENTS

It was the latest in a series of anti-Trump protests held locally. | Published July 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaden Perry

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.