A grassroots protest in Newtown drew large numbers Saturday, April 4, 2025, despite the rain and pressure to cancel the event.

Protesters gathered outside Fitzpatrick's office beside the Newtown Bypass. People of all ages joined the event, including many seniors.

Top concerns included recent cuts at the U.S. Social Security Administration and fears of a constitutional crisis.

The organizers of the "Hands Off!" protests, a series of demonstrations held April 5 against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, created an online platform where anyone could sign up to host a protest as part of the nationwide event. The effort was endorsed by more than 150 groups and co-led by Indivisible Project, a progressive organizing group.

UPDATED 1/17/24 (read more...); The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) [brought] the fight for a free Palestine to the suburbs with a "Flood Newtown For Palestine Rally" on Wednesday, January 17, 2024..

The pro-Palestinian group, numbering about 50, gathered in the parking lot at the Newtown Shopping Center where they rallied and gave a few speeches before taking to the streets of Newtown.

In an email, the security director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia gave local synagogues and Jewish organizations a heads-up that the rally would be taking place. "I don't expect any issues, but I wanted to alert you to the fact," the director wrote in an email.

As the pro-Palestine group marched down Durham Road toward Sycamore Street chanting "Free, Free Palestine," they were met by more than 100 members of the Bucks County Jewish community marching and waving Jewish and American flags and shouting, "Bring them home," a reference to the hostages taken by the Islamic militant group Hamas during an attack on Israel on Oct. 7.