FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 28, 2026
For more information, contact:
Piscataway Progressive Democratic Organization,

Over 400 People Attend No Kings Piscataway, Take Part in the Largest Day of Peaceful Protest in U.S. History; PPDO Applauds Local Free Speech Win

Piscataway, NJ – On Saturday, March 28, more than 400 Piscataway residents and area neighbors stood together with millions of Americans across the country in a nationwide day of nonviolent protest at the third No Kings Day of Peaceful Action. There were more than 3200 events scheduled across the country; March 28 is expected to be the single largest day of non-violent protest in U.S. history.

“Our community came together peacefully to push back against President Trump’s agenda with joy, solidarity and a shared commitment to our basic democratic values,” said Piscataway Progressive Democratic Organization Chair Staci Berger. “It was especially rewarding to see that our local government changed their plans to close municipal parking lots to make it difficult for people to participate in this historic event. Thanks to everyone who called Mayor Wahler and urged him to stop helping Trump and to stop stepping on our First Amendment rights.”

The visibility event, sponsored by PPDO, At-Large Council Members Sarah Rashid and Laura Leibowitz as well as the Piscataway Township Education Association, featured remarks by Council Member Leibowitz and PTEA President Joe Toma. Other speakers included Aiden Crawley, Viola Stone, Shantell Cherry, Elizabeth “Betsy” Aumack and Rashaad Cooloute.

“While we all could be home checking our brackets, shopping or cooking for the holidays, or watching our favorite baseball teams, we are here, and we know why. When we work together, vote together, and stand together, we are the best reflection of our country and what we believe in,” said Leibowitz, one of the two Progressive members of the Council elected in 2024.

Stone, a lifelong Piscataway resident and PPDO Recording Secretary told the crowd, “We are here today to keep Democracy alive! That’s what makes America beautiful and brave. Our opportunities and our freedom of speech allow us to be strong and hopeful. As the late Rev. Jesse Jackson would always remind us to keep hope alive, I will add we need to keep democracy alive for our children, families, neighbors and country!”

“The American Revolution didn’t begin because people hated the government. It began because people refused unaccountable power,” Toma said. “ Because a distant authority claimed the right to search without cause. To detain without trial. To punish without representation. To rule without consent. And the Founders — flawed, human, but clear-eyed about one thing — said: never again. That’s why the Constitution does not start with a president. It starts with three words that are still revolutionary: We. The. People.

“Being here together today is one way to tell our leaders we want change. Another is by voting,” said Aumack, a long-time resident and advocate for women and girls. “Our constitutional right to vote is under attack. Donald Trump wants to silence millions of voters, and that cannot be allowed to happen. The SAVE Act is an unconstitutional poll tax targeting millions of women. Donald Trump is afraid of us, and he should be!”

Cooloute, who grew up in Piscataway, referenced his parents’ immigration journey and the Trump attack on the American Dream. “My parents are from Guyana and Panama, and they had a dream for me to go to college, become an educated professional and make a livable wage with my life. I’m on my way to achieving these goals. But there is an orange-faced man in the White House telling me I shouldn’t have any of that. He is trying to end birthright citizenship,” he said, noting the many programs and policies that Trump is trying to stop,

“We are the people who want everyone to be respected. To be able to walk the streets without worrying about being arrested. We are fighting for women’s rights. We are tired of having our constitutional rights being stripped, and we will continue to rally to make sure our voices are heard,” said Cherry, former President of the Piscataway Board of Education. Although she is a member of the BOE, Cherry spoke in her personal capacity and does not represent, nor is she authorized to represent, the School Board.

“Seeing everyone out here reminds me how proud I am to be an American and how proud I am to fight for freedom everywhere,” said Crawley, a senior at Piscataway High School. “There are too many people on both sides of the aisle who are too afraid to speak out. We need to remind them that speaking out is much better than staying silent,”

Berger said Piscataway residents and neighbors from the surrounding area were proud to partner with other groups organizing the No Kings peaceful protests across the country including ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU, among others. A full list of partners can be seen at https://www.nokings.org/partners. She encouraged residents to share their videos and photos of the event and/or reach out to get involved by sending an email to pwayprogressives@gmail.com
For a full list of participating cities, event details, and spokespeople available for interviews, visit www.NoKings.org or contact media@nokings.org.

All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide.