Protesters rally at US Rep. Glenn Thompson’s Bellefonte office. ‘Our voice is our power’

A sea of more than 200 peaceful, sign-wielding protesters gathered at the Bellefonte office of U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, Tuesday morning in an act of public disapproval toward the congressman’s actions in Washington, D.C.

In recent months, Thompson has supported several executive actions rolled out by the Trump Administration that the protesters feel undermine the values of those he represents — the people of Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District, which includes parts of 18 counties, including the entirety of Centre County.

Some of the governmental or executive actions his protesting constituents took issue with included the mass layoff of veterans, sudden cuts to departments like the Department of Education, the Trump Administration’s hesitation to help Ukraine or Palestine, the federal funding freeze, Medicaid cuts and more.

Margie Swoboda, chair of the Centre County Democrats, told the CDT that an estimated 250 people attended the protest, which was determined by counting the total number of buttons and flyers handed out.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with today’s turnout, and I think it’s fantastic that so many people are exercising their rights with us,” Swoboda said. “(Thompson) knows about this event today, and we wish he would be here to talk with us — that’s all we want. As a public servant, he technically works for, and should be serving, his constituents, not the other Republicans down in Washington, D.C.”

Swoboda’s concerns were shared with her fellow protesters, who shouted rallying chants like “Hey hey, ho ho, Glenn Thompson’s got to go,” and “This is what democracy looks like.”

Many of the protesters were also wielding homemade signs, to be seen by drivers passing Thompson’s 3555 Benner Pike office, although the signage wasn’t just directed at the congressman. Also subject to the placards were President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (or DOGE, for short).

One protester who brought a sign, Christine Northup, spoke about how Thompson’s and the Trump Administration’s decisions were actively impacting her and her family.

“I have a son with autism who was born without an esophagus. He’s 39 years old, but he still needs a lot of medical intervention, and gets a majority of that through Medicaid. If we lose that, we’re going to lose a lot of support,” Northup said. “The other thing is that I have breast cancer — had it three times. I have a medication that works well for me right now, although it might not work forever. After that, I’m not sure what’s going to happen because (The Trump Administration) stopped all cancer research. It’s a really nervy time for us.”

Ray Bilger, a combat veteran and former employee of the Department of State’s foreign service and intelligence community, was also at the protest. He discussed his duty to his country, and how being at the protest was an extension of that duty.

“I spent the last 40 years of my life defending this nation, and I’m here today to defend it once again,” Bilger said. “I got involved because I was tired of seeing what was going on with this government. I’ve seen this style of government be rolled out in other countries, although I never thought I’d see it here. What we’re seeing is no more than an authoritarian takeover.”

Bilger continued, urging people not only in Centre County, but across the country to take part in protests like Tuesday’s. “Everyone comes up to us and asks ‘Oh what can I do to help?’ This is what you can do,” he said. “Get involved, write emails, send letters to the editor. We all have a voice; use it. Our voice is our power.”

Some Centre County public officials were also at Tuesday’s protest, including Zach Womer, Thompson’s opposition in the 2024 election and an eventual candidate for the mayor of Philipsburg in 2025’s municipal election. Ferguson Township Supervisor Omari Patterson also attended.

The pair criticized Thompson’s lack of communication about his decisions to his constituents. They also shared further frustration on what’s going on in the United States today.

“We are seeing the people who are the poorest — the people that need the most help in the district — be punished,” Womer said. “We’re a largely rural district with a lot of really unique needs, but (Thompson) is voting like he’s representing Staten Island, not us, and makes absolutely no sense to me.”

Kelsey Holt, Thompson’s communications director, was asked about the protest and a possible future town hall. She shared that Thompson would be happy to have an “open dialogue” on any issues appearing before congress, while offering a stark reminder of the country’s financial state.

“President Trump is delivering on his campaign promises to right-size the federal government, by identifying and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. The majority of Congressman Thompson’s constituents voted this past November to usher in these changes,” Holt wrote in an email. “There is simply no denying that our country is facing serious fiscal challenges and we must address service on the national debt, before it begins to crowd out essential federal programs.”

Holt continued, sharing that while Thompson has a prior obligation on March 29, the date of the town hall hosted by the county Democrats at the State Theatre, he will continue to engage with his constituents “day in and day out.” Holt noted Thompson recently spent time speaking with them in Selinsgrove, Lewisburg and Williamsport, as well as Bucknell University.

This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM.