435 News Correspondent Jestastrophy.bsky.social (Jes). A Hands Off protest in Allentown, Pennsylvania attracted thousands of protesters in opposition to the Trump administration’s action and policies.
Protest Signs
“Not a paid protester, just an angry Woman,” “Hate has no home here,” “Save our community,” “Glory to Ukraine,” “Susan Wild, we miss you,” “Make fascists afraid again!”
The signs artfully expressed the sentiments of an animated crowd of over a thousand Pennsylvania demonstrators. Protesters gathered in Salisbury Township, Allentown, PA last week as part of “Hands Off” rallies occurring nationwide.
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie Still a No-Show
Protesters gathered in large numbers in spite of the cool, rainy weather Saturday to voice opposition to a long list of Trump/Musk administration policies. They rallied outside Representative Ryan Mackenzie’s (R-PA) district office. Demonstrators also expressed their growing frustration with Mackenzie for failing to respond to constituent concerns or host a town hall. MacKenzie narrowly won by only a few thousand votes last November. The Greater Lehigh Valley demonstrators also expressed frustrations on signs and sentiments with Pennsylvania senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Dave McCormick (R-PA,).
Community observers suggested the rally felt like it could have been a block party. It featured clever signs, children, dogs, megaphones, passionate organizers, upside down American flags, and more. Incensed townspeople of various age, race, nationality and persuasion reflected their region’s mounting discontent with the actions of their government.
One of Three Rallies
The local Allentown rally was but one of three in Lehigh County. Outraged protesters also assembled outside Rep. Mackenzies district office in Northampton County and in Downtown Allentown to lend voice to their anger and vent frustration with the administration. Demonstrations were also held in nearby Quakertown and Jim Thorpe.
The Lehigh Valley is a diverse and fast-growing region of eastern PA. It boasts a population of about 861,000, 55 percent of whom are Hispanic. Allentown is located between Philadelphia and New York City, and is home to one of the most contested seats in the nation, PA-07. In this swing district in a swing region of a swing state, the November election saw Mackenzie unseat former Congresswoman Susan Wild by a razor-thin margin.
