More than 3,000 people gathered on the Old Main Lawn Saturday afternoon as part of the nationwide “No Kings” Day of Action, a protest condemning what participants described as authoritarian actions and policy abuses by the Trump administration.

The State College protest was one of thousands of coordinated “No Kings” events across the country. Locally, participants gathered on Old Main Lawn to hear from community leaders and organization heads before marching through downtown State College. The demonstration was part of a broader movement calling for nonviolent resistance to what organizers describe as the erosion of democratic institutions.

Speakers at the rally included Christine Warner and Maren Larson of Keystone Indivisible, Dotty Delafield of the group’s action team, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania President Matt Yarnell, and Penn State professor Michelle Rondino-Colocino, who also serves as president of the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Warner, a volunteer leader with Keystone Indivisible, called the event “bigger than political parties,” urging participants to reject corruption and the concentration of power.

“This country doesn’t belong to billionaires and strongmen—it belongs to the people,” Warner said. “Enough is enough.”

After the speeches and songs concluded, participants marched from Old Main through downtown State College, carrying signs and chanting calls for democracy, accountability, and justice. The march stopped traffic briefly along College Avenue and drew cheers and honks of support from bystanders and drivers.

Saturday’s protest marked the second “No Kings” Day of Action, following a June demonstration that organizers said brought more than five million Americans into the streets across all 50 states. The event was supported by a coalition of national advocacy groups, including the ACLU, MoveOn, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

As the crowd dispersed, organizers emphasized that the rally was part of a sustained movement rather than a one-day event. “We’re here to remind everyone that democracy only works when ordinary people stand up and make their voices heard,” Larson said.