‘Democracy is pissed and she’s raining’ | News

Heavy rain and booming thunder did not stop protesters from
showing up to the Illinois State Capitol for a rally Saturday honoring the
legacy of U.S. Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis.

Cheered on by the honking of passing cars, the crowd donned
umbrellas and signs as they gathered in front of the statue of Abraham Lincoln
to chant, play music and demonstrate on behalf of democracy.

“Democracy is pissed and she’s raining, but so are we and we
are still here,” Capitol City Indivisible member and Chatham resident Whitney Walsh said on Facebook Live during the
protest, encouraging others to join in remembering Lewis’ legacy.

Lewis was best known for his dedication to nonviolent
protest, unwavering commitment to the Civil Rights Movement and leadership in
the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery where he and other protesters survived
the infamous “Bloody Sunday” attack from Alabama state troopers. Lewis
represented Georgia’s 5th Congressional District for over three decades until
his death in 2020.

Protests across nation commemorated Lewis’s service on the five-year
anniversary of his death on July 17 at over 1,600 locations. Saturday’s protest,
organized by Capitol City Illinois Indivisible and Springfield 50501, was
scheduled on the weekend to allow for more people to attend.

Both the nationwide Good Trouble Lives On movement and the
local protest were inspired by Lewis’ famous call to action to “get in good
trouble, necessary trouble.” Those in attendance said that is exactly what they
intended to do.

“I love our country, and I love the Constitution,” said U.S.
Marine Corps veteran and Springfield resident Sean Dailey. “What these people
are doing, Trump and his minions, it’s anti-American, and I think it’s an
abomination. I just want to show my support for the resistance.”

This was the first protest Dailey has attended since
President Donald Trump’s inauguration. For him, priorities include winning back
a Democratic congressional majority, restoring USAID and bringing an end to
current immigration enforcement practices.

“The travesty of immigration, mass mobs arresting people for
no reason and their skin color, is horrifying,” Dailey said.

Similar fears about immigration and erosion of democratic
institutions were shared by many in attendance, displaying signs and shirts
reading, “Democracy is not for $ale,” “Protect our vote” and “An Assault on One
is an Assault on All.”

“The way immigrants are being treated in our country, and
the way the rule of law is breaking down and the Constitution is being ignored,
those are the things that most bother me,” Springfield resident Kathy Bottum
said.

She was not sure whether protesting would make a difference
but hoped it could.

“At least I know I can show up, so I show up,” Bottum said.
“(Good trouble) means that you don’t just be nice, you stand up to something
that’s wrong.”

Capitol City Illinois Indivisible, the Springfield chapter
of the national Indivisible movement, formed only in April of this year. Local
chapter leader Karen Broquet said she counted over 100 people in attendance.
She said they were showing up out of fear, despite the downpour.

“We are petrified about what’s happening to our country and
what we’re going to leave for our kids and grandkids,” Broquet said. “The first
and foremost is we’re going to lose our democracy. Our elections are either not
going to matter, or they’re not going to be held at all.”

Broquet recalled listening to interviews with Lewis after he
survived the Bloody Sunday violence in Selma. She wondered, six years old at
the time, if she would have been as brave as him.

“I don’t want to be dramatic, but we all might have to make
those choices now,” Broquet said. “And I hope we’re up to the task.”

Broquet read comments from Damon McParland, who prepared
chants for the rally but could not attend in person. McParland’s words
encouraged attendees to embrace the spirit of good trouble.

“Would John Lewis see a country such as this and give up
without a fight? Would John Lewis step aside and let these injustices run
rampant?” McParland wrote. “Hell no!”

Springfield resident Zoe Chase,
22, was particularly concerned about
resisting immigration enforcement and defunding of science, public media and
Medicaid.

“I want future generations to be able to look back and see
that there were groups of people and individuals who did use their voice to
speak up against what they knew was wrong,” Chase said.

Chase encouraged other young people to get involved in
future action.

“Speak up, use your voice. There will be more friendly faces
than you realize,” Chase said.

“Social media is a really great way to stay engaged and to
follow up on things but coming in person is truly one of the best ways to make
an impact in your local community, and that’s where change starts.”