Lynn Bridge holds signage during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Colorful handmade signs, raucous chants and deafening car horns — echoing both support and defiance — set the scene for Butler County’s Hands Off! protest on Saturday afternoon, April 5.
T. Lyle Ferderber was one of a few hundred people who congregated near the entrance of the Butler County Home Show to condemn recent actions by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
“We have to remind people of what’s going wrong so that they can make necessary changes and ultimately make change in our government,” Ferderber said.
Veteran Tim Pugh, left, and Bill Pichler hold U.S. flags upside down signaling a nation in distress during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Dozens of signs were visible on the grassy areas up and down Route 68, most of them railing against the current administration’s moves regarding federal employees, LGBTQ+ rights, education and health care.
There were more than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations across the country, organized by more than 150 groups. National organizers said “Hands Off!” had drawn 250,000 responses for events in 1,000 communities in all 50 states.
The protest in Butler County was one of six in the Greater Pittsburgh region, which included one that drew thousands of demonstrators to downtown Pittsburgh.
While the protest remained peaceful, some passersby claim protesters were unruly or disrespectful.
According to Helen Comperatore, the widow of Corey Comperatore, the man who was shot and killed at the July 13, 2024 Trump rally at the Butler Farm show grounds, her daughter, Allyson Comperatore, drove past the protest only for protesters to make fun of Corey’s death.
The Comperatore family declined to comment further on the situation.
Butler County Democratic Committee chairwoman Catherine Lalonde said that to her knowledge, there was no mass confrontation by protesters. She said she is aware of an individual person on Facebook with an offensive comment, but they were not affiliated nor welcome within the committee.
“We would not tolerate that behavior,” Lalonde said. “We were not there for conflict, we were there to express our thoughts.”
Lalonde said she is unsure of how protesters would have recognized Allyson Comperatore or been able to exchange more than a few words at most.
Lalonde also condemned the politicization of Corey Comperatore’s death, calling it a “tragedy.”
“It’s horrible. The poor man was trying to protect his family,” she said.
Ferderber himself had materials that criticized both the Trump administration and one of his most ardent supporters, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th.
The back of a cardboard sign he was wearing bore a message that read, “Where is Mike Kelly? Too afraid to talk to constituents?” with a hand-drawn chicken just below the message.
“We want our Democrats to speak out louder, and we want the Republicans to hear us,” Ferderber said. “They all work for us regardless.”
The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk is involved with, has moved swiftly to reshape the federal government and its spending habits.
“We’re worried,” said Judy Barron when asked why the protest drew such a crowd. “I could see him (Musk) doing it sensibly, studying and seeing where the cuts are made. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be cuts at all — but come on — be sensible about it. Be mature about it.”
“I think so many people are out today because they are seeing it in real time how the current president and his leadership teams are defying our governmental structure and doing exactly what they want to do regardless of established law,” added protester and longtime county resident Colleen Smith.
The speed in which Trump and his cabinet are moving is what had many protesters particularly perturbed.
A protester, who wished not to be identified by name, holds signage up to passing cars during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
“Every day it’s something new, and you don’t know what to be most upset about,” Jackie Barron said. “There’s no end to it. Every day they do something worse, and there’s no accountability. Most of it’s against the law, but they keep going.”
Many of the protesters in attendance said their goal moving forward is to keep the pressure on the administration and force officials to acknowledge their disapproval.
“Democracy is a garden that needs water. It can’t be left to go dry,” Ferderber said. “So the actions of people coming out, making signs and having fellowship at events like is fertilizing the ground that will hopefully keep our democracy alive.”
This article was updated April 7, 2025, with additional information from the Democratic Party.
Fran Lunz holds protest signage during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Fran Lunz holds protest signage during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Debra Barger speaks into a bullhorn during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
A passerby gives a thumbs-down during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Passerby vehicles show their support during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Passerby vehicles show their support during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Debra Barger speaks into a bullhorn during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Debra Barger speaks into a bullhorn during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Gary Basehore holds signage during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Debra Barger speaks into a bullhorn during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Passerby vehicles show their support during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
A protester, who wished not to be identified by name, holds signage up to passing cars during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Fran Lunz holds protest signage during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Fran Lunz holds protest signage during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Protestors rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road calling for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Debra Barger speaks into a bullhorn during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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A passerby gives a thumbs-down during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Passerby vehicles show their support during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Passerby vehicles show their support during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Debra Barger speaks into a bullhorn during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Debra Barger speaks into a bullhorn during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Gary Basehore holds signage during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Debra Barger speaks into a bullhorn during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Passerby vehicles show their support during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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A protester, who wished not to be identified by name, holds signage up to passing cars during a rally outside the Butler County Home Show venue along Evans City Road that called for elected leaders to not touch federal safety nets such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
