SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Protestors gathered nationwide this weekend to say 'hands off!' to the Trump administration.
Tariffs, cuts to federal spending, and tax cuts for billionaires. These are just a few of the issues protestors say they're fighting at "Hands Off!" rallies across the country.
Hundreds of such protestors took to Lackawanna County Courthouse Square, braving the wet weather to protest a number of issues with the Trump administration.
"We need to tax the rich like we did in the 60s and 70s when I was growing up, and middle-class America was strong. It's been deteriorating since the 80s, and now it's reaching a crescendo that is going to crush society," said Dunmore resident Tony Manger.
At the forefront of this rally is what protestors and organizers are calling "executive overreach."
"With every breath they take, they try to take the rights away from the least of us, and it's alarming. We've already fought these battles," said Ellen Manger from Dunmore.
Protests like this one are happening nationwide, part of a decentralized movement known as 50501: 50 protests, 50 states, one movement.
The Scranton rally is just one of three protests held in NEPA alone, all organized in part by Action Together NEPA, a local non-profit advocating for social and economic equality.
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While the issues at hand are broad, a common message rang through the heart of the Electric City.
"We shouldn't be, like, minimizing the middle class for these billionaires. I think we should be taxing them so that we can live our lives," said Greenridge resident Grace Wazowicz.
A number of local and federal officials spoke at the rally, including an address by former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
While the protest covered a wide range of issues with the Trump administration, protestors 28/22 News spoke with agreed on one thing.
"Trump. We've gotta get rid of him. Hands off everything, as everyone is saying. He's destroying our country," Dave Watkins from Scranton explained.
"Hands off our social security and our Medicare," Wazowicz stated.
Despite their frustration, some remain optimistic.
"We are stronger together than we are apart, so I think if we can all come together, we can finally, maybe, bring some of these idiots down," Wazowicz added.
These nationwide protests will continue throughout the weekend, and organizers say there are plans for future rallies as well.
