Protestors gathered at the Allen Street Gates in State College Thursday to rally against Donald Trump, marking the final day of the Republican National Convention and Trump's official acceptance of the GOP nomination. Around 20 people stood curbside along College Avenue holding signs that read “Take Action Now,” “Jews Against Trump,” “Fight Climate Change Here” and, of course, “Dump Trump.”
The demonstration was just one of several anti-Trump protests organized statewide by NextGen Climate Pennsylvania, an organization focused on social activism and environmental activism. Penn State University student and NextGen volunteer Justin Kilner said he wasn't phased by nearby Trump supporters.
“I’m happy with the turnout," said Kilner. "I’m glad some people from the Trump organization are here. They’re not saying anything because they have nothing really to say. Say, 'Let’s save the planet,' and you can’t argue with that.”
Dmitri Loutsik is the chairman of Penn State's Students For Trump chapter and stood nearby with a few other Trump supporters. He said he was unimpressed with the turnout.
“We are not coming here to start anything," said Loutsik. "We just want to see what’s going on, and, at the moment, there’s not much to see.”
State College resident Kay Hutton came out to support students taking political action at such a crucial time in the election season.
“I have actually watched the convention," said Hutton. "My husband has not been able to take it, but I have actually watched most of it. The hatred is so severe, and these young kids who are actually doing this, I’d like to support the college students.”