Another ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protest set for State College. Here’s what to know

More than 2,500 “No Kings” rallies are set to take place Saturday across the United States, including one in State College that follows a summer protest that drew hundreds.

The No Kings movement was first sparked in June in response to the increase of federal immigration raids and the announcement of a large-scale military parade commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincided with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. The latest version of the event is also in response to health care funding cuts and the recent government shutdown and to “declare with one voice: America has no kings,” according to the No Kings website.

The only No Kings protest organized in Centre County is set for noon Saturday at Old Main lawn on Penn State’s campus, according to a map on the No Kings website. Nearby events are also planned in Lock Haven, Clearfield and Altoona.

“More than 600 people attended our last peaceful protest, and we expect more to turn out for this event,” said Christine Warner, a member of Keystone Indivisible, the Centre County chapter of Indivisible that’s responsible for planning both events.

During the June 14 No Kings protest, hundreds of people carrying anti-Trump signs filled the area around the Allen Street gates in downtown State College. The event lasted about an hour and ended without incident.

This Saturday, more than 2,500 rallies are expected to occur across the U.S., with more than 50 planned in Pennsylvania. It’s estimated millions mobilized for the first series of protests and national organizers expect a larger turnout for the second round.

Why was a second round of ‘No Kings’ protests organized?

According to the No Kings media team, the rallies are a “direct, non-violent rebuke” of Trump action including attempts to send militarized forces into U.S. cities, his immigration crackdown and his recent remark that “a lot of people are saying, ‘maybe we’d like a dictator.’”

Trump has suggested his administration may deploy the National Guard to dozens of cities to combat crime and quell public resistance. Earlier this month forces were deployed to Chicago to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and government personnel. The move sparked a legal battle that is still ongoing.

Troops have also been deployed to other cities such as Washington, D.C. and Portland.

The White House has yet to comment publicly about the latest No Kings demonstrations, but House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the planned protests a “Hate America rally” linked to antifa during an interview with Fox News.

New location for State College protest

Christine Warner, a member of Keystone Indivisible’s leadership team, was one of the hundreds of protesters who gathered at Allen Street gates in June. She said they moved the location to Old Main lawn given expectations of a larger crowd.

In an email, Warner said there will be speakers and a march through downtown State College after the program. She expects many will share personal stories of how the administration’s decisions have personally impacted them and there will be opportunities for participants to connect with each other.

“I fully understood on the morning of November 6 what this presidency would bring — the enshrinement of Project 2025 and the end of democracy in this country,” Warner wrote in an email. “And I fully understand that I need to do what I can now, even if it is small. Or else, I will look back on these days with deep regret and shame. When she grows up, I want my daughter to know that I did what I could.”

The Justice Singers of Centre County are planning to sing and lead chants at Saturday’s rally. The group was present at the June rally in Hollidaysburg, where they sang songs created by the Kairos Center’s Songs in the Key of Resistance project.

Cate, a justice singer who requested her last name not be used due to fear of retaliation, said the group is dismayed by the “cruel rhetoric, heartless budget cuts that affect everyday people” and the “blatant ignoring of constitutional norms like due process, free speech, freedom of the press,” by the Trump administration.

The group plans to lead chants that focus on shared values and the power of community. Cate said they are inspired by figures like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, who were founding members of the Almanac Singers, a folk group that sang anti-war songs.

“We’ve been working closely with the wonderful people at Keystone Indivisible, and we’re still kind of deciding what our song and chant list is going to be,” Cate said. “We’re going to be kind of teaching everybody a couple of songs and chants and then leading them together during sort of the march portion of the event.”

The State College No Kings protest is scheduled to take place from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday on Old Main lawn. For more information, visit the landing page at www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/839515/. Those interested in participating can attend an online “Protest Safety, Know Your Rights & De-Escalation Training” on Wednesday at 7 p.m. hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union. The registration link is available on the No Kings website.

This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 5:33 AM.