RELATED: U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie says 'No Kings' protesters went too far
BETHLEHEM TWP. — Thousands of demonstrators weathered a steady rain in rallies across the Lehigh Valley on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump and his handling of free speech, immigration and due process issues as part of "No Kings" protests occurring nationwide.
A protest on both ends of Emrick Boulevard in Bethlehem Township was the first of four organized "No Kings" rallies taking place throughout the day in Northampton and Lehigh counties.
Others were organized in Salisbury Township, Bethlehem and Easton.
The demonstrations happened the same time as festivities in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Critics contend the military parade is simply an excuse for Trump to host a military parade on his 79th birthday.
“We’re fighting for our country,” said Brooke McDermott, a volunteer organizer with Indivisible Lehigh Valley-Bethlehem.
About 1,000 people had registered to participate in the rally at the Bethlehem Rose Garden, she said.
The Emrick Boulevard demonstrators came bearing American flags, umbrellas, signs and even rubber chickens and taco hats — nods to the emerging taunt that "Trump always chickens out" when it comes to enforcing many of the stiff tariffs he's threatened to impose.
They drew steady streams of supporting honks from motorists on William Penn Highway and Freemansburg Avenue.
Given the tense politics of the era and the Lehigh Valley's unique identity as a political battleground, the region hasn't been lacking in protests over the past decade. But attendees Saturday said they fear the country has reached a tipping point.
Trump has largely bent the Republican Party to his will, people said, and few if any checks seem to remain on the president's authority.
"He’s learned his lessons the first time around and now has surrounded himself with acolytes who are going to do what he wants," said Paul Smith of Williams Township. "I think that’s dangerous."
The larger group on the southern end of Emrick Boulevard — about 550 people — were just a stone's throw from U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie's Northampton County office. A man saying he worked for the main tenant, Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co., blocked the parking lot to vehicles. No one other than a reporter and a father watching his son jump in puddles approached the building.
The protest was largely peaceful with the gathered crowd chatting amongst themselves, playing music and chanting. A counter-protester carrying a Trump flag marched behind the protesters along the Freemansburg Avenue gathering but didn't appear to interact with anyone.
Things appeared to grow more heated along William Penn Highway, where multiple township police and an ambulance responded with lights flashing. Protesters said they saw a scuffle between a demonstrator and a counter-protester; it was not clear how the physical altercation began.
Rep. Mackenzie responds
Other demonstrations were held outside Mackenzie’s Cedar Crest Boulevard office in Salisbury Township, near Allentown; the Bethlehem Rose Garden; and at Scott Park in Easton.
In Salisbury Township, an estimated 1,000-plus people lined both sides of Cedar Crest Boulevard as they carried flags and signs, urging motorists to honk.
"All of this is going beyond free speech and protest — it is disrespectful and disruptive to the fellow members of our community."Statement by U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley
Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, was in Bangor as part of the borough's 150th anniversary celebration and Flag Day festivities.
He issued a statement saying he respects freedom of speech and people's right to protest, but demonstrators are going too far.
"Political protests like the ones that we see on a weekly basis at our office and today are no longer just that," he said. "We have seen our staff and other tenants in our buildings being harassed, and a fight broke out today at one of the protests.
"We’ve seen traffic near hospitals being impeded, constituents have trouble accessing our offices for assistance, and other tenants have visitors who can’t make it in for appointments. All of this is going beyond free speech and protest — it is disrespectful and disruptive to the fellow members of our community."
In Bethlehem, hundreds had come to the Rose Garden well before the 3 p.m. rally start.
Organizers handed out American flags and planned to rally, then march down Broad Street to Main Street.
“I’m shocked that there are so many people here so early,” McDermott said.
She said a raid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Bethlehem earlier in the week likely amplified Saturday’s rally. ICE agents arrested 17 construction workers at the Five10 Flats apartment building for alleged immigration violations.
“It made it real,” McDermott said.
The Associated Press reported protests were planned in nearly 2,000 locations across the country.
The 50501 Movement orchestrating the demonstrations says it picked the “No Kings” name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
