After No Kings
On March 28, 2026 , at 11th and Rockland Streets and in downtown Kutztown, thousands of Berks Countians showed up at No Kings Protest along with an estimated 8 million people nationwide. It was the largest single day protest in American history.
We protested a regime that is sending masked agents into our streets, terrorizing our communities, and spending billions of our tax dollars on missile strikes abroad all while driving up the cost of living and handing out massive giveaways to billionaire allies.
Were you there? It was thrilling to be in such a huge, positive crowd. Your trusty Berks Organizing Workgroup (BOW) team had a table right in front of the Wawa sign offering gas for $3.95/gallon, and the irony was lost on no one. We love a good rally, but we know that the real work of systemic change happens away from the cameras. That's why we encourage you to be political agents of change, working together to demand a Berks County that works for all residents, not just those blessed with American citizenship.
First up: ending county collaboration with ICE.
Yes, Berks County has been VOLUNTARILY TURNING PEOPLE OVER TO ICE for years, and at present, our Commissioners "see no reason to change."
We see plenty of reasons not to collaborate with ICE: excessive violence, denying due process, racial profiling, to name a few. Since March 2025, Berks County Jail has turned over almost 70 people to ICE, and every one of those people is a human being with loved ones and a place in our community.
Are you ready to speak out against this unnecessary cooperation? Use your voice to ask these two things of the Berks County Prison Board:
- Do not contact ICE about anyone you have in custody
- Do not execute ICE detainers by holding anyone past their release date and time
You can do this by attending Prison Board meetings, which are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 AM (April 8 and May 13, 2026)
You can email Prison Board Chair, Judge Scott Lash slash@berkspa.gov and County Solicitor Christine Sadler csadler@berkspa.gov. CC: the additional members of the board, including Commissioners Christian Leinbach cleinbach@berkspa.gov; Michael Rivera mrivera@berkspa.gov; and Dante Santoni dsantoni@berkspa.gov; Controller Joe Rudderow jrudderow@berkspa.gov; District Attorney John Adams jadams@berkspa.gov; and Acting Sheriff Mandy Miller sheriff@berkspa.gov.
Or you can write to Berks County Prison Board at 633 Court Street, Reading PA 19610. You have the power to demand due process and to protect our neighbors. Every little step helps.
Events coming up
- Tuesday, April 7 at 7PM: BOW team meeting! Includes prep for Prison Board and Town Hall meetings. Complete our Connect form for more information.
- Wednesday, April 8 at 9AM: Prison Board meeting at the County Services Building, 633 Court Street, Reading. Come, bring your friends. Tell the folks in charge that we want due process with rights, not collaboration.
- Wednesday, April 8 at 6PM in Exeter Library, 4569 Prestwick Dr, 19606. Berks County Commissioner Town Hall.
- Thursday, April 9 at 10AM: County Commissioners meeting at the County Services Building, 633 Court Street, Reading. Voice your concerns about ICE in our community!
Other ways you can help
- If you see job postings that look like they might be related to the facility (construction, staffing, security, operations, anything), please email them to us at NoBerksDetention@proton.me
- If you know how to navigate sam.gov or usaspending.gov and find any new contracts related to the Tremont or Upper Bern warehouses, let us know.
