PEORIA, IL -- Perhaps the largest political rally crowd in recent Peoria history packed the riverfront patio at the Gateway Building on Jan. 21.
The event, the Women's March Rally, in support of women marching throughout the world for their issues and against the Trump administration, drew a crowd of perhaps 1,000 people.
They were every age, every color, women, children and men, people in wheelchairs, people with dogs and babies, all united against the Trump agenda which would deprive people of their civil rights and liberties, their health care, their freedoms.
Colorful handmade signs were everywhere. The crowd was asked to post photos to #peoriarallies and #womensmarchpeoria, and to list their events on these sites as the organizing continues.
They listened to speeches from a variety of women on issues from reproductive freedom to support for the arts and Obamacare.
Here is a recording of the speeches.
It was a wildly successful event, showing the support of the thousands for the liberal agenda of freedom, tolerance, and well being for all.
But the optimism departed, when I recalled the event in 2012 where presidential candidate and right wing Republican Rick Santorum spoke to a large East Peoria crowd of Tea Party types, in a pizza restaurant parking lot, at night.
It was scary. They were mean spirited, and that attitude continues in the right wing Republicans now, willing to deprive people they don't like of their rights, liberties, and medical care.They must not prevail!
-- Elaine Hopkins
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