No Kings, Abolish ICE, No Endless Wars

FACE OUR FEARS: Fascism thrives in the silence

An estimated five million Americans — and millions more around the globe — made their frustrations heard loud and clear in response to the endless assaults on freedoms and rights by the Trump regime on June 14, 2025 as people joined the “No Kings” rallies. It is more important than ever that we are LOUD as we stand against tyranny and organizations like ICE terrorizing our communities.

Here in Pittsburgh, PA, there were between 7,000 - 10,000 in attendance at the

The 50501 Movement

Pittsburgh rally. I’ve covered five of these rallies in my hometown since Trump took office in January of 2025 and this was the biggest I’ve seen so far. Multiple rallies happened not just across Western PA, but all over the state, in places you might not expect like Lancaster, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Philadelphia saw upwards of 60-100,000 people in the streets. The message was clear. No Kings. Abolish ICE. No endless wars.

In Pittsburgh, messages focused on an end to Trump’s tyranny and corruption as well as fighting for a more just and equitable future for all. There were many calls to stand up for our immigrant neighbors — documented or not — and important reminders from speakers that a nation without a free press isn’t free at all.

Veterans also took to the stage, including U.S. Army Veteran, Angela M. from Common Defense: “We [Veterans] took the oath because we believed in something bigger than ourselves. In freedom, in justice and in the Constitution. Not for one man, not for one party, but for the people. All people. Now we are watching a man who dreams of being a dictator threatening to tear that Constitution apart… He spreads fear, division and cruelty like wildfire. But let me be clear — we are not afraid. We have faced worse, we have trained for worse, and if he thinks that veterans like us are going to stand by while he dismantles democracy, he is wrong.”

Miracle Jones from 1Hood Power spoke of the need to band together: “Never forget that we the people have the power. "Our communities are under attack and police violence and state violence will not make us safe…Having those uncomfortable conversations — that is what is needed right now. We have to make sure that when these politicians try to pit our communities against one another; we reject the hate, the violence and the bigotry…Each and everyone of us deserves self determination. We deserve to live with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Andrew from the Pittsburgh chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America: “We’ve seen videos of ICE raids, you’ve watched parents dragged away screaming from their children, begging not to be separated. Why is this society so violent? Because our society demands two things: Profit and property value. And when those two things are prioritized above people in that society, you need violence to keep it going. Capitalism needs the machine to keep running no matter what and when that’s the case, the gears are going to get greased with people’s blood.”

Several of the speakers didn’t just talk about the moment we are in now — but what comes after? What kind of world could we build if we wanted to work together and end the ruling class’ stranglehold on us?