Dozens of Penn State students, others protest outside Donald Trump campaign rally

A group comprised mostly of Penn State students marched from downtown State College to the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday afternoon to protest a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump.

Outside of one brief scuffle that was quickly broken up, the protest remained peaceful.

More than 60 people carrying signs ranging from “F--- Trump” to “Free Palestine” and “No Justice, No Peace” met at the College Avenue and Garner Street intersection about two hours before Trump’s scheduled 4 p.m. appearance at the BJC. The protest was organized by student groups including the Student Committee for Defense and Solidarity and People’s Defense Front.

“It is our duty to defend our communities from racism and hate that Trump’s presence intends to inflame in State College,” a social media post announcing the protest read.

Once at the BJC, the group marched down Curtin Road — a section of which was closed to traffic all day Saturday — following chants from a man with a megaphone such as “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.”

With some Trump supporters outside the BJC after doors for entry to the event closed, interactions between supporters and protesters remained mostly uneventful with the exception of one shoving incident between a Trump supporter and a protester who grabbed a Trump flag.

One of the police officers on scene intervened in that case, and mounted state police officers stepped in between protesters and supporters at one point. But, about 4:15 p.m., most of the protesters had begun walking away from the BJC.

And, as of 5 p.m., there appeared to be no other issues.

A handful of other protesters, not affiliated with the student groups, continued to stay near the Bryce Jordan Center. One group of five adults — two of whom held Kamala Harris signs — quietly stood at the intersection of University Drive and Curtin Road, speaking calmly with any Trump supporters who wished to engage. Two other protesters paced back and forth with signs critical of Trump.

Many Trump supporters filmed the protests with their cellphones, and a few shouted back. But most smiled and seemed bemused by the showing. “Is that all you got?” one woman shouted from the sidewalk.

This story was originally published October 26, 2024 at 6:03 PM.