protesters gathered to fight for their rights.
Pro-democracy protesters rallied in Galesburg on Saturday, April 5, as part of the national Hands Off protest. That was the sixth consecutive weekend protestors gathered in Galesburg as a display of public resistance against the Trump regime – and this weekend they’ll gather for a seventh.
“We want to protest DOGE and all the massive cuts happening, we’re protesting the deportations that are not legal, hands off our social security,” said rally organizer Jeanne Clark.
As the people of Galesburg came together to protest Trump’s administration, the Hands Off message was chanted loud and clear.
“He’s living like a dictator and I don’t want to see my country fall into that,” said protestor Lori Landon.
Organizers of the march said that this was a group of like-minded people who were fed up with the government and were organizing and mobilizing to fight for their rights.
“As a Lutheran pastor I am called to speak up for the poor and the oppressed, so that’s why I am out here, ” said Pastor Vince Morolla.
Posters at the rally included messages such as Defend the Constitution, Hands Off Our Old Age, Save Medicaid, and Save Our Future.
Protestors said they felt like they were having to fight for basic rights and for things they did not have to previously worry about.
“I think we need to keep speaking out and saying that we’re not okay with this because it’s wrong, and it’s not constitutional, it’s immoral, and it’s not humane,” said Galesburg resident Amy Fort.
Protestors will gather again in Galesburg from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, April 12 at the Knox County courthouse.
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