With recent sequestration cuts looming, local groups Penn Action, Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern and Keystone Progress banned together in an effort to "Pull the Pork from the Pentagon."

A dozen people rallied outside the offices of Senator Pat Toomey, R-Pa. and Senator Bob Casey, D-Pa., where they heard from speakers Mimi Lang, of LEPOCO, Mike Morrill, of Keystone Progress and Robin Stelly, of Penn Action. Stelly said, "15,000 is not a number [Senator Toomey] should be able to ignore."

Concerned local citizens presented both Toomey's and Casey's office with petitions signed with over 15,000 signatures of supporters throughout the state.

"We want money diverted from military spending," Robert Daniels, of LEPOCO, explained, saying there is no need for these types of weapons, warfare or wasteful spending.

Giving ways to stop the sequester, the groups suggest cuts be made from nuclear spending and the F-35 fighter instead of cuts that would impact and hurt middle class families. "[We are] making sure Pentagon spending is in line with our priorities," Lang said.

The gathered groups want the country protected, but feel things like education, Head Start programs, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are important for Americans.

"People power instead of Pentagon power," Morrill said. "All of us Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives, we're all here united."