Jan Needham of Moosic spent part of her Saturday afternoon at the “No Kings” protest on Scranton’s Courthouse Square because she thought it was important to speak out.
Hundreds of people attended the event in response to the Trump administration’s large-scale military parade, also held on Saturday.
“We’re here to stand up for America,” she said. “We’re in trouble if we don’t stand up to Trump.”
Aaron Newhart of Falls Township agreed. A veteran, he takes issue with the reported $45 million Trump is spending on the day’s festivities held in Washington, D.C.
The money, he said, would be better spent on resources to assist to families and help for veterans.
“He’s really just having his own birthday party,” he said. “That’s what dictators do.”
Legislators speak out
State Representative Bridget Kosierowski told the crowd she was not only a state representative, but also a registered nurse.
Trump’s proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other supportive services, put the health and wellbeing of citizens at risk, she said.
Kosierowski also expressed hope in the democratic process and people’s willingness to speak out.
“We can do better,” she said. “And, we will.”
Protestors gather on Courthouse Square in Scranton for a ‘No Kings’ protest in Scranton on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Protestors gather on Courthouse Square in Scranton for a ‘No Kings’ protest in Scranton on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Protestors march around the Lackawanna County Courthouse during a ‘No Kings’ protest in Scranton on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp, addresses the crowd at a “No Kings” rally on Scranton’s Courthouse Square Saturday. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan took to the podium and encouraged people to speak out against the Trump administration and its policies.
“History does not look kindly on those who remained silent,” he said.
He said Trump supporters have a Bible in one hand and hate in the other.
“They talk about Jesus,” he said. “And walk with cruelty.”
He quoted a line from a poem written by Emma Lazarus, which is inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Now, he said, those huddled masses are being chained, tackled and deported.
“We will not stop until Donald Trump’s name is written in ash in the mouth of history,” he said.
State Representative Kyle Donahue pointed out FOX News reported that such rallies were composed mostly of paid protestors.
“Are you paid?” he shouted to the crowd, who responded with a resounding, “No.”
“We are here to remind people today that were are not subjects, we are citizens,” he said.
Counter protestors
Several pro-Trump protestors were sprinkled through the crowd and periodically heckled speakers.
Republican Bob Bolus brought his commercial truck to the event, which bore Trump’s likeness alongside a depiction of Jesus and the American flag.
Gaughan encouraged the crowd to ignore them.
“They’re not important,” he said.