Close to 100 people turned out for back-to-back protests Saturday. Occupying the sidewalk near the intersection of Main and Second streets in Kewanee, the assembled group cheered when drivers sounded their horns in support.
Organizers held a 50501 protest at 11 a.m. The 50501 movement stands for “50 protests in 50 states in 1 day.” The Kewanee protest was one of just 700 planned events that took place that day.
At noon, a second “Hands Off” rally drew a larger crowd and came just weeks after Kewanee protesters added their voices to a growing movement who oppose the actions of the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk.
One protester who joined the 50501-protest said the event was loosely organized.
“It kind of happened by itself,” she said.
One of the roughly 25 people who joined the first protest said she turned out because she disagrees with Trump.
“I want to protect our country.”
Lynn, who stood on the corner holding a sign seeking both parties to come together, said she turned out because of her hope to unite the parties and to “fight the fascist regime.”
Patty worries about her children who are half-Palestinian, although they were born in Galesburg. She said her daughter worries that she could be targeted.
“I want to save our democracy,” she said.
One protester cited due process as the reason for her joining in the protest, while Peggy said she came to protest because “every decision Trump could ever make, especially with social security. He’s hurting everyone he could help.”
Mary Jane lost a brother in Vietnam. “If he could give his life for this country, I can sure as heck protest,” she said.
Shirley came to Kewanee from Geneseo. A 24-year veteran of the Air Force, Shirley said so many reasons made her add her voice on Saturday.
“Due process has to work for everyone in this country, or it works for no one,” she said.
