Peaceful No Kings rallies took place March 28 in cities all over the U.S., including Springfield, to protest policies of the Trump Administration. This was the third No Kings rally in front of the Lincoln statue on the State House grounds. This time Second Street and Capitol Street were closed to vehicles.
People filled the streets and the surrounding grounds, holding signs and waving American flags, some wearing inflatable costumes. Signs were funny as well as inspirational and some were derisive. The principal organizers were 50501 Springfield, IL (50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement), Capital City Illinois Indivisible and Land of Lincoln Democratic Socialists of America. Estimates of crowd size ranged from 1,000 – 2,000.
Dr. Albert Capati from 50501 Springfield was a lead organizer and served as emcee. Capati has been a dentist in Springfield for 23 years. When asked why he’s involved, he told Illinois Times, “I don’t want the U.S. to become a fascist dictatorship. This is the easiest way for people to get involved. My purpose is for this to be as accessible and safe as possible and point to what to do next.”
The two-hour program began with the crowd singing the National Anthem and Jordan
Montague singing the National Black Anthem. A series of speakers followed, addressing a
multiplicity of complaints with the Trump administration and calls to action both locally and nationally. Then the crowd marched to the Y block across from the Governor’s Mansion and gathered in a huge circle. Organizers held large letters spelling out No Wars, We the People, Ice Out, No Kings Since 1776 and This Is What Democracy Looks Like.
Kelby French came from Havana with her one-year-old son and other family members. She said she was there to try to fight for what’s right. She has family members who work for the postal service and others from overseas going through citizenship. She’s worried about what’s happening. “We don’t need a king,” French said.
JD Camp from Paris and Ken Butler from Glendale Heights were visiting Dennis Hearn of Springfield, a friend from Paris high school, and decided to attend the rally. “The whole administration is corrupt,” said Camp. “The Iran War is a distraction; he’s manipulating the market for financial gain; ICE at airports is a political stunt.” Camp said rallies like this are a way for common folks to express their concerns.
Charlotte Jarmer is a 13-year-old Grant Middle School student who was in the crowd and asked to speak because she is really worried about the future. She gave an impassioned speech and told Illinois Times her father, a veteran, has been a big influence. She said going to a public school has exposed her to a diversity of people. “I grew up very privileged,” she said. “It’s not just about one group.” Her father, Mark Jarmer, was dressed in an inflatable bee with a sign, “Trump, Buzz Off.” He said he wanted to display a non-confrontational message.
Don Hanrahan, political chair of the Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club, addressed
environmental concerns. “No EPA administrator in history has so brazenly betrayed the
agency’s core mission to protect human health and the environment as Lee Zeldin,” he said.
Ricki Marvel, a transwoman of color, spoke against racism, homophobia and sexism.
“I think Trump is destroying the country,” David Parker of Springfield told Illinois Times. “I have freedom, but I’m a white man and I’m lucky.”
Throughout the event, organizers led the crowd in chants, “When democracy is under attack, what do we do? Fight back.” “No crowns, no thrones, these oligarchs have got to go.”
