SCRANTON — From a former service member to a retiree to a city council candidate, about 75 people gathered along Courthouse Square on Tuesday afternoon to oppose potential budget cuts to Medicaid, Social Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs and call for billionaires to pay their fair share of taxes.
During a Tax Day rally hosted by Action Together NEPA – a grassroots progressive organization dedicated to community action and political advocacy – participants clamored for the ousting of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk – a White House adviser – and the protection of social services.
“Hands off Medicaid, hands off SNAP,” some chanted. “Fund our families, not fat cats,” others exclaimed.
Action Together NEPA hosted similar rallies Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre, Bethlehem and Tunkhannock.
Dave Mattern, 68, of Clarks Summit, who worked as a drafter among other occupations before retiring, joined the rally to fight against potential tax cuts for billionaires and expressed concerns about the future of the social security trust fund.
“The fear is just running out of money,” he said. “Especially with the way things are going, it’s going to be tight enough without losing everything.”
Aaron Newhart of Falls Twp. held a “Veterans Against Trump” flag throughout the rally to show opposition to proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Newhart, 51, who served four years each in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, called out the Trump administration for their actions toward members of the country’s armed forces – including planned cuts to the VA.
“Just the way he’s treating the veterans, it’s very hurtful,” Newhart said. “There are a lot of veterans out there who wouldn’t get the care they need. How can you do cutbacks and have veterans care? They’re doing indiscriminate cuts to VA health care. It’s absolutely crazy. Also, he’s planning on cutting Medicaid and Social Security – they need to stay away from it – he’s hurting the American people.”
Protesters gather for the Families Over Billionaires Tax Day Rally at the Lackawanna Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Protesters gather for the Families Over Billionaires Tax Day Rally at the Lackawanna Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Protesters gather for the Families Over Billionaires Tax Day Rally at the Lackawanna Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Aaron Newhart, Falls Twp., holds a “Veterans Against Trump” flag during the Families Over Billionaires Tax Day Rally at the Lackawanna Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The Army and Marines vet came out because he’s concerned about the budget cuts the federal government is making. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Protesters gather for the Families Over Billionaires Tax Day Rally at the Lackawanna Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Mary Batty, Dalton, joins in a chant with fellow protesters during the Families Over Billionaires Tax Day Rally at the Lackawanna Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Frankie Malacaria, 33, of South Scranton, a Democratic candidate for City Council, noted federal cuts hit close to home.
“I know many, many people in this community are affected,” he said. “We’re a low income, working class community. My family is on LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance program) and we were thankfully able to get on it last week. Then, literally two days after, the Trump administration decided to cut the entire staff in Health and Human Services that handles the distribution of LIHEAP funding. Millions of people across the country rely on LIHEAP in order to be able to heat their homes in the winter. Unfortunately, without this funding, it may not be here next year.”
Karen Gray, 63, made the trip to Scranton from Tobyhanna Twp. to show her overall disapproval of the Trump administration.
“My signs are not big enough to hold everything I’m against that he’s doing,” she said. “It feels like our country’s not the same. Our democracy is gone … it’s upsetting to me.”