WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Dozens of people are calling on the Trump administration to ease up on cuts to federal government jobs and programs. They took to the streets on Saturday to make their voices heard.
The March as One Rally traveled from the sidewalks of the Luzerne County Courthouse to the heart of Public Square.
Dozens joined area organizations to protest the latest actions taken by the Trump administration, just days before the State of the Union address.
Marching the streets of Wilkes-Barre, Dallas resident Kerry Anne Jones and dozens of others shouted to anyone who would listen.
“The state of our country, we are in a constitutional crisis,” Jones explained.
Dozens of people joined the 50501 Movement and Action Together NEPA Saturday afternoon. They rallied against what they call the “immeasurable harm” that the Trump administration has caused families and communities in Pennsylvania and worldwide.
“There’s trillions of dollars going to corporate subsides while they make billions of dollars off our hard work and labor,” Eric Skelton from Wyoming said.
The forefront of the protest centered on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) established by President Trump and led by Elon Musk.
“Elon Musk and his little rat pack of 21-year-olds. They gotta go. They don’t work for the government,” Skelton added.
Skelton and other protesters oppose the freeze on federal funding, Trump’s plans to dismantle the education department, and threats to cut Medicaid.
“There’s a million reasons to be here, but those are the top three that really scare me,” Skelton continued.
“While we have no healthcare, no education, our criminal justice system is broken,” Jones stated.
They also showed their support to Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy one day after President Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukraine’s leader inside the Oval Office.
“It’s insane. I’ve never seen a US President do something like that, and nobody even understands why,” Skelton said.
Pennsylvania Congressman Rob Bresnahan provided the following statement to 28/22 News regarding the rally:
I applaud these individuals for taking the time to make their voices heard. While we may not agree on everything, I will keep fighting for Northeastern Pennsylvania to get our economy back on track, secure our borders, and continue revitalizing our communities.
Pennsylvania Congressman Rob Bresnahan
In the meantime, people like Jones say they will keep fighting to get their message across.
“They are robbing our country for money,” Jones added.
Protestors say the Trump administration disrespects our Constitution and threatens the well-being of working families here in the commonwealth.
