Around 100 people showed up Saturday, March 15, to line the grassy knoll in front of the strip mall on South Oakwood Avenue in Geneseo. They were there to attend an Anti-Trump/Musk/Doge Rally.
“I just wanted to make a difference in our community,” said one Geneseo protester who brought along her 9-year-old daughter.
One protestor drove from Bishop Hill with a sign she had made that read, “Save Democracy.” Her main concern, she said, was to ensure that social security would be there for her and for others.
Other signs called on citizens to defend democracy, as well, and fight back against bigotry, injustice and inequality. Several signs addressed the issue of education in response to the administration’s plans to make cuts to the Department of Education.
Kiersten Jorgensen came with a message, “We’re a democracy, not an oligarchy,” while Candace Lopez, who drove to the protest from Davenport, Iowa, summed it up with “No king here.”
One couple traveled from Kewanee and stood next to the road with signs they had made.
“It’s vital that the people show up and show how they feel and take part in democracy,” said Marc Nelson, “We are not pleased with what’s happened to democracy.”
All of the protesters that day said the reaction from drivers passing back had been mostly positive with the line of protesters receiving frequent honks. According to the Facebook page, The Resistance-The Blue Dot Quad Cities Edition, the police patrolled the area frequently throughout the two-hour protest. But the page also noted the honks in support from the many passing vehicles.
Organizer Tom Carr helped get the word out about the event, which was also supported by the Henry County Democrats.
Carr said he received a lot of support putting the protest together in just a matter of weeks and was pleased with both the participation and the creative signs.
