Two area chapters of a national progressive organization are planning a rally and march this weekend in Hollidaysburg to protest policies and plans of the Trump administration.

Indivisible Blair County and Keystone Indivisible of State College will hold the “No Kings” rally at Canal Basin Park, followed by a march to the borough’s Post Office — an event that will begin at noon and run until 3 p.m., according to Indivisible Blair County President Carol Taylor.

“In America, we don’t do kings,” states the nokings.org website. “They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights and slashed our services,” it states. “The corruption has gone too far.”

“No Kings Day” was organized to coincide with the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which also happens to be the same day as President Donald Trump’s birthday and Flag Day. A military parade is scheduled to make its way through the streets of Washington, D.C.

Rallies are planned in 1,800 locations, Taylor said.

“We’re trying to draw attention to a situation where an authoritarian government is occurring,” Taylor said.

The administration is destroying progress made over the past 100 years, ignoring due process and state’s rights, “eviscerating” functions of the federal government, raising constitutional concerns, prizing loyalty over duty, threatening the news media, engaging in self-dealing and creating an atmosphere of fear, according to Taylor.

“This demonstration is about refusing to give into fear,” she stated.

“It’s a really frightening time in our country,” said Gillian Kratzer, chairwoman of the Blair County Democratic Committee, referencing the administration’s military response to recent protests against raids designed to arrest illegal immigrants in Los Angeles — a response in defiance of the wishes of state officials.

There will be several speakers at the rally, according to Taylor.

The march will begin after about an hour, she said.

The groups have obtained “all the proper paperwork,” including proof of insurance, needed to use the park, which is owned by the borough, Taylor said.

“We always go through the proper authorities,” she said.

That includes notifying local police, she said.

The groups are advising attendees to park legally, she said.

Indivisible has a “strict non violence policy,” she said.

The police in Hollidaysburg — and in Altoona for a similar rally a few months ago — have been “very cooperative and receptive,” Taylor said.

No actual permit was needed for Saturday’s event because the group isn’t closing down the streets, Taylor said.

Thus, people will need to keep to the sidewalks on the march, she said.

A local Republican official contacted for comment pointed out that attendees will be exercising their right to free speech — “which is paramount in our country” — while adding they hope that “everyone can voice their opinion in safe and non-violent ways.”

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.