The Sentinel: Politics

Commentary |
“Hands Off” rallies across the nation were patriotism in action

We saw fellow Americans join in support to defend what’s best about our country at these rallies.

by Peter Montgomery
OtherWords

Millions of Americans in more than 1,200 cities and towns gathered with friends and neighbors on April 5 in a beautiful, energetic, nonviolent, and urgently needed expression of patriotism.

The Hands Off! protest drew well over 1,000 residents to the Champaign, IL, rally at Westside Park on April 5.

We used our freedom of speech to send urgent messages to our political leaders: Respect the rule of law and constitutional checks and balances. And stop sacrificing Americans’ well-being by gutting the government’s ability to protect workers, consumers, communities, and the environment.

The gatherings were also a call to our fellow Americans to defend what’s best about our country, and to resist the destructive policies of President Donald Trump and his chainsaw-wielding billionaire buddy Elon Musk.

In our politically divided times, we often think simplistically about “red” and “blue” states. We talk as if our differences mean we don’t have anything important in common. It’s not true. People turned out from Alabama to Alaska, Tennessee to Texas, and Missouri to Montana.

Liberals and conservatives and everyone in between can find common ground in the idea that the Constitution should protect all of us. That we all benefit from clean air and water, scientific research, and basic public health capabilities.

Whatever our political leanings, we should fear and resist the idea that the government can rob people of their rights and freedom and make them disappear into foreign prisons without any way to prove their innocence. We should fear and resist government purging history from websites, books from libraries, and ideas that break with “official” ideology from museums and classrooms.

Many people have been dismayed to see powerful institutions like law firms, universities, and media companies give in to bullying from the president. We get discouraged by repeated failures of courage from elected officials who have sworn to uphold the Constitution.

But despair doesn’t get us anywhere. Action does. That’s why the April 5 gatherings were so important. People braved wind and rain, overcame their own hesitations and fears, and expressed their concerns and hopes for our future on creative, angry, funny, and inspiring signs.

Being together was a reminder that there is power in numbers. Courage can be contagious. Momentum is building.

Protests aren’t the only way Americans are fighting for what they love about this country.

Nonprofit legal groups have filed dozens of legal challenges to defend our rights and stop lawbreaking by the Trump administration. State attorneys general are doing the same. More than 500 law firms have risked retaliation from the president by signing a legal brief opposing the ways he’s abusing power to intimidate and punish lawyers for the work they do.

Senator Cory Booker recently inspired millions of Americans by speaking on the Senate floor for more than 25 hours about the ways people are being hurt by the actions of this administration. “It’s not left or right,” he said, “It’s right or wrong.”

Booker broke a record held by the late Senator Strom Thurmond, who made his place in history by blocking civil rights legislation. So it was appropriate that Booker quoted the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis — who, Booker recalled, “said for us to go out and cause some good trouble, necessary trouble, to redeem the soul of our nation.”

Congratulations to everyone who turned out on April 5 to create “good trouble.” Prepare to do it again and again — and invite family, friends, and neighbors to join.

Defending democracy is not one-and-done. America was founded by people who rejected being subject to the whims of a king. In our time, if we are going to preserve and strengthen government by “we, the people,” we are the people to do it.

Peter Montgomery is a Senior Fellow at People for the American Way. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

C-U 'Hands Off!' protesters rally against Trump administration policies and Musk-led cuts

Champaign Hands-Off! Mobilization — Nearly a thousand people took part in Champaign-Urbana's installment of a nationwide day of action at Saturday's Hands Off! protest.

CHAMPAIGN - In a show of solidarity against President Donald Trump's trade and immigration policies, which critics say are harming families and retirement savings, more than a thousand protesters gathered Saturday at West Park near downtown Champaign for the Hands-Off! Mobilization rally.

The two-hour event featured several guest speakers who shared their thoughts on the state of the country since Trump began his second term. Large turnouts were also reported in major cities including Chicago, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., as part of a national day of action that highlighted growing dissatisfaction with the administration’s policies and service cuts.

Protester waves at passing cars at Champaign Hands-Off! rally — Standing with a long line of people along University Avenue, a protester holds up a sign as cars pass by. Many of the drivers showed their support, honking as the drove past the hundreds of Americans demonstrating against the hamfisted approach to nearly every issue the Trump administration as taken the past 75 days.

After attending a similar rally earlier Saturday near his home, John Edwards traveled from Sullivan to Champaign to take part in the demonstration. The Army veteran said he would attend a third if there were another nearby.

“They are not representing anybody but the rich,” Edwards said of the Trump administration. “We were already at one in Sullivan today. You might as well do two if you’re going to do one — and three if there’s another somewhere. We’ve got to get the word out.”

Walking with other demonstrators around the park’s perimeter, Kathleen Toalson described the first 76 days of Trump’s second term as a “disaster.”

“It’s an absolute nightmare for our nation, for our world,” she said. “It’s inconceivable to me that a nation as wealthy and prosperous as ours would turn its back on its own citizens.”

Cynthia D’Angelo, one of several speakers at the rally, criticized the administration’s policies.

“They are trying to destroy the things that are good about America. We are a leader in science. We are a leader in higher education and training future scientists, and they are trying to destroy all of that,” she said. “I feel like it is important for people to speak up and make a statement about what they believe.”

Cynthia D'Angelo at a rally in Champaign — Cynthia D'Angelo, one of many speakers defending American values, delivers remarks at the Champaign Hands Off! rally at Westside Park.

Hands-Off! was the largest coordinated day of demonstrations by concerned citizens across the country since Trump began his second term, with events held at more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states. According to The Associated Press, over 150 organizations participated in organizing the peaceful rallies.

When asked about her views on how the administration is running the country, Urbana resident Terri Barnes laughed while walking with the procession.

“I think they are evil and pathetic. They are stronger than people anticipated,” she said. “Evil. Definitely evil.”

Photo Gallery

Sentinel photos by Clark Brooks

Terri Barnes walks with a friend around Westside Park

Hands Off Champaign Rally

Related articles:

Guest Commentary |
Global Zionist citizenship, an updated anifesto

by Rabbi Leor Sinai

Zionism, initially defined as the national movement of the Jewish People, has made a huge comeback onto Global Jewry's agenda.

Organizations across the globe, including the Government of Israel, are investing tremendous resources into the reclamation and re-education of Zionism. On the one hand the term has been hijacked by others for the purposes of delegitimization, anti-Israel activities, and in some cases lending creed to the age-old dehumanization of Jews – and in the modern sense – the State of Israel. Depriving Zionism's human qualities is a strategy employed by those who seek Israel's destruction, nothing less.

Yes, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism, hence the global Jewish response. On the other hand, the philosophy and practice of Zionism has not moved on with the times, as it had in the past. As a result, the disengagement from Zionism has led to the hijacking of Zionism.

The events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded southern Israel, murdering, kidnapping, and terrorizing innocent civilians, cast a harsh light on this reality. What followed – both the ensuing war and the alarming surge of antisemitism across Western societies – has fundamentally altered the discourse around Zionism and Jewish identity in the global context. For many Jews worldwide, these events evoked painful historical echoes of times when Jews were hunted and persecuted, challenging the post-1948 narrative of safety and acceptance.

These developments have forced many Jews to reconsider the balance between universalism and the particular needs of Jewish safety and continuity.

One of the challenges we must overcome is understanding our collective, and specifically our youth's, self-identification with Global Citizenship. Whereas prior to the State of Israel's independence the stateless Jew was relegated to her/his own group-identity (or ghetto), 1948 changed all that. Just as Herzl willed it, and predicted it, Israel – and by extension today's Jew – has gone global. In reaction to global citizenship, ethnocentricity is seemingly less appealing. With the advancement of technology, high speed communications, accessible trans-continental transportation, and high-volume global human-interactions, today's Jew may find her/himself torn within the tension of Jewish-group self-preservation versus global-group-identity.

This tension has only intensified since October 7. While global Jewry actively seeks to participate in social justice causes, global economies, business innovation, and other areas of development, the violent targeting of Israelis and the subsequent rise of Jew-hatred across university campuses, social media, and public spaces have raised sobering red flags. These developments have forced many Jews to reconsider the balance between universalism and the particular needs of Jewish safety and continuity.

Generally speaking, the social media generation inspired by the global trends, may no longer see themselves as "chosen"; not within the bare-minimum sense of belonging to one ethnic group, nor to the land for that matter, rather they seem themselves as are part of the larger global social-group of loosely affiliated and overlapping layers of group-identity (i.e., American, LGBTQ, universal values, global citizenship, entrepreneurship, and more) competing with the collective Jewish identity and narrative. It is important that as part of our reclamation, redefining and re-education of Zionism, that we consider incorporating a global, perhaps ambiguous, understanding of what Zionism means today. Rather than trying to pinpoint what Zionism means, we may opt for a wider definition; a definition of Zionism that is wide enough to include the variety of sub-group identities Jews belong to, and safe enough to ensure historical continuity, peoplehood, and mission, as part of Zionism's original principle of taking action – anchored in national aspirations.

The post-October 7 reality demands that this wider definition also acknowledge the renewed awareness of vulnerability while reaffirming the commitment to engage with the world. If we expect others, including our youth, to feel included in our collective identity, we should feel comfortable enough exploring what Zionism means to others.

Early Zionist thought was fed by visions of a utopia ...

Here is my purposely ambiguous meaning of Zionism: Zionism is the physical manifestation of the Jewish soul.

Transmission of Zionism is experiential; it is through experientialism – based on imminent truths – that we are connected to real-world events. We explore, we ask questions, and we reveal purpose. Seeking clarity, purpose, and answers to difficult questions, permeates throughout our history. We identify inquiry and find purpose throughout Israelite cultic practice, Rabbinic Judaism, and of course Zionism, all rooted in experientialism, in reaction to the world we live in. It was only after Jacob's earthly wrestling with Gd's presence that Jacob transformed to Isra-el: "…for you have struggled with Gd and with humanity and have prevailed…" (Genesis 32:28). Jacob underwent a transformation, as did Jacob's "Children of Israel" whom upon earthly experiences – perhaps revelation at Sinai – transformed to the People of Israel, and later through post-exilic experiences to the Nation of Israel and of course the State of Israel, all experiential, all transformative, and all in reaction to the world we live in and collective events we experienced.

Today's Zionism, particularly in the aftermath of October 7, seeks its next exposé – one that acknowledges pain and trauma while refusing to abandon hope and the pursuit of a better future.

Early Zionist thought was fed by visions of a utopia, of an Israel that would be perfect and once it came to be, the modern nation-state would initiate a wave of understanding and co-existence resulting in an ideal global community. The visions of a utopia have yet to be realized, if ever, yet entry into the global community of nations is a reality that continues to alter the Jews' psyche from exilic and excluded, to welcomed and accepted – by and large – among the family of nations. As a result, and in reaction to ongoing geo-political global events, Zionism as it was is questioned.

This mission remains unchanged, even as recent events have tested our resolve.

The war that followed October 7 and the troubling global responses to it have complicated this narrative. They serve as stark reminders that acceptance remains conditional for many Jews, that antisemitism can rapidly resurface in moments of crisis, and that Israel's legitimacy continues to be questioned in ways no other nation-state experiences. And yet, despite these harsh realities, we strive to look forward, hopeful for a time when light overcomes darkness. We refuse to abandon the vision of a future where both particular Jewish security and universal human flourishing can coexist.

My hope is that we as a collective awaken, focus on what binds us, rather than what separates us, and leapfrog Zionism into an era Herzl and our ancestors could only dream of. Moving forward will require us to let go of the past – not forgetting our past – but willing to move forward from the past and into a globalized perception of self, a global Zionist citizenship.

As no longer a people scattered in exile, but as a nation among nations we must see ourselves through a global prism, and only then will we be successful in reclaiming, redefining and re-educating Zionism, our destiny, succeeding in the delivery of l'dor va'dor, from generation to generation. This mission remains unchanged, even as recent events have tested our resolve. Perhaps it is precisely in such moments of challenge that our commitment to a forward-looking, globally engaged Zionism becomes most essential – not as a retreat from the world, but as a means of transforming it, bringing us closer to that time when light truly does overcome darkness.

About the author

Leor Sinai lives with his family in Tel Aviv, Israel. Originally from New York, Sinai and his family moved to Israel in 2011. Rabbi Leor Sinai is a Global Speaker, Education Diplomacy Thought-Leader, and long-time Campaign Executive. As Principal of Sinai Strategies— a consulting agency—Sinai seeks to educate and motivate influential actors to collaborate towards advancing Global Jewish – Israel relationships. He has traveled around the world, building bridges and strategies for collaboration.

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group, organization or oursentinel.com. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

League of Women Voters to host peaceful protest around Illinois

CHICAGO - Local chapters of the League of Women Voters of Illinois will host community protests and rallies in five cities across Illinois tomorrow, March 4. The goal is to bring people together in solidarity during the president's address to Congress on Tuesday.

Donald Trump will deliver the first joint congressional address of his second presidency on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST. While not a State of the Union address, the president is expected to announce his goals for the year and accomplishments as he starts his second term before a packed House chamber.

LWVIL says the events around the state are being held to "offer a peaceful and unified space to come together for the health of our democracy, the future of our nation, and the well-being of all its people."

Gatherings will be held in Batavia, downtown Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and at the Courthouse Plaza in Peoria.

"Defending democracy is our mission," Becky Simon, president of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, said in a release today, stressing an "urgent" need for peaceful protest during this administration. "The League’s spirit to act and fight for our democracy is exactly the courage we need to defend our constitutional republic."

Kathy Cortez, LWVIL vice president for issues and advocacy, noted that "The League has been defending democracy for 105 years, and we are just getting started."

League of Women Voters of Illinois protests will take place on Tuesday, March 4, at the following locations:

Batavia: 7:30 pm, Calvary Episcopal Church, 222 S Batavia Ave, Batavia, IL 60510
Chicago: 7:30 pm, Federal Plaza, 50 S. Adams St, Chicago, IL 60604
Rockford: 7:00 pm, Rockford City Hall, 425 East State Street, Rockford, 61104
Naperville: 4:30 pm, Washington Street Overpass by 5th Avenue Train Station, 105 E 4th Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540
Peoria: 7:30 pm, Peoria County Courthouse Plaza, 324 Main Street, Peoria IL 61602

State Representative says Illinois needs to focus on its citizens

Dieterich – State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) says it is time for state leaders to prioritize the needs of Illinois citizens. In Niemerg's opinion, Governor Pritzker's presentation of a "balanced budget" is nothing more than the usual, deceptive schemes.

"It is baffling to me that we cannot have bipartisan support for managing our resources better and preventing these constant gaping budget holes that are a staple for all of these so-called 'balanced' budgets," he stated, criticizing how Illinois budgets are determined. "For years, the state has been using creative accounting gimmicks to create the illusion of a 'balanced' budget."

Niemerg says the state needs to do a better job of managing Illinois finances. Calling for an Illinois version of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he said state budgets usually show increased income and lower spending projections. However, when the bills are presented to the state, the payment cycle "is stretched out longer and longer and, in the end, taxpayers take it on the chin because there is a monthly penalty for delayed state payments."

"High taxes, poor state leadership, and rising crime are the culprits for the outbound migration."

"Not once did the Governor mention property tax relief. Not once did he mention pension reform. Not once did he mention public safety concerns in Chicagoland," Niemerg said in a statement on Wednesday. "He did, however, mention Donald Trump at least six times in his speech. Instead of focusing on President Trump, the Governor should focus on the issues Illinois residents actually care about."

Niemerg stressed that Governor Pritzker's remarks about President Trump during the State of the State Address do nothing to solve the very real problems facing our state.

He points out that Illinois had the second-highest outbound moves in 2024 – second only to New Jersey. He said the combination of high taxes, poor state leadership, and rising crime are the culprits for the outbound migration. He also noted the Governor did not address the issue of illegal immigration and the amount of money being spent on programs and services for people not legally supposed to be here. A recent Pew Research poll showed 59% of Americans approve of President Trump's immigration policies.

"The vast majority of Americans support President Trump's efforts to secure our borders and deport criminals here illegally," Niemerg said, who believes the Governor and the Democratic majority in the House are out of touch with the majority of American people. "Instead of prioritizing the needs of our own citizens, they are continuing to pour money into programs for illegal immigrants. We have a responsibility to address the concerns of our own citizens. It is not the job of the state of Illinois to solve the immigration crisis."

Commentary | American holiday efficiency, a three-for-one on June 14

by Peter Olson
Guest Commentator

On Valentine’s Day, upstate Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) showed her devotion - not with roses or chocolates, but with a bill to make June 14, Donald J. Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day, a federal holiday. Lucky guy.

Her proposed Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day Holiday Establishment Act would solidify the day as an official national holiday, aligning with Flag Day, which has been observed since 1777 to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. flag. If passed, the holiday would take effect in 2026, just in time for America’s 250th birthday and Trump’s 80th.

A Tribute to Trump’s Legacy

Tenny said: "No modern president has been more pivotal for our country than Donald J. Trump. As both our 45th and 47th President, he is the most consequential President in modern American history, leading our country at a time of great international and domestic turmoil."

She added, "Just as George Washington’s Birthday is codified as a federal holiday, this bill will add Trump’s Birthday to this list, recognizing him as the founder of America’s Golden Age," she said.

Given past rumors about the President, the gentle Congresswoman should probably refrain using the word "golden" and his name in the same sentence.

A Divisive Proposal

As with most things related to Trump, the bill immediately sparked immediate criticism in social media channels.

Critics on X and Reddit questioned whether Congress should prioritize a new federal holiday over more pressing issues like healthcare, inflation, and immigration reform. And then there are others, like comedian Billie Nelson who rolled with it in tweet:

>>> "OK, but hear me out! Let’s also make it ‘Traitor Trash Day!’ Benedict Arnold died on June 14, 1801, as a traitor, in England. Just putting it out there! 145 years later, another traitor was born..."

Ok, but hear me out!
Let's also make it "Traitor Trash Day!"
Benedict Arnold died on June 14, 1801, as a traitor, in England.

Just putting it out there!
145 years later, another Traitor was born... pic.twitter.com/vRlsq4x0QW
— Billie Nelson (@Mamabenergy2) February 16, 2025

Will It Pass?

The bill does face an uphill battle in Congress as historically, establishing a federal holiday tends to involve bipartisan negotiations — though not always unanimous support. For example, Juneteenth National Independence Day (2021) passed with overwhelming bipartisan backing, while Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1983) faced strong opposition before eventually becoming law. However, given the current make up of the House and Senate, the proposal isn’t entirely without momentum.

The likelihood of the bill becoming law remains uncertain but ChatGPT confidently said, "Let’s be real: this bill has about as much chance of passing as Trump staying off social media for a full 24 hours. But hey, politics is weird, and stranger things have happened."

June 14 could truly be a holiday for everyone, traitors and patriots alike.

We live in interesting times for sure.

Commentary |
Christian congregations are standing up to cruelty. Why won’t politicians?

The Trump team has attacked bishops, Lutheran social service organizations, and other faith communities simply for following their social gospel.

by Peter Montgomery

OtherWords

Here’s a strange question: Why is Elon Musk lying about Lutherans?

The richest man on earth recently forced good people across the country to interrupt their community work to respond to his lies and threats.

Lutheran social service agencies offer crucial assistance related to adoption, foster care, domestic violence, and more. They also support immigrants and refugees, helping new Americans learn English, find homes and jobs, and settle into their new communities.

Like many nonprofits, they often get federal support to offer this help.

But in early February, as Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” was forcing its way into government, right-wing activist Michael Flynn posted on social media that federal contracts with Lutheran social services organizations amounted to “money laundering.”

Musk responded that DOGE was “rapidly shutting down these illegal payments.”

Neither Flynn nor Musk offered any evidence against these experienced and reputable social service providers. Instead, smearing Lutheran social services was seemingly just a tactic to justify massive cuts Musk wants to impose on social spending.

Already the administration’s spending freeze has disrupted these agencies’ work, causing “considerable harm to people who rely on critical services for shelter, food, and mental health services among other social supports,” according to Lutheran Services in America.

News outlets in Ohio, Nebraska, South Dakota, and elsewhere agreed, pointing out the range of good work being done by Lutheran social service agencies. But I don’t think Musk cares.

Using false claims to justify widespread harm seems to be the operating principle behind Musk’s cruel crusade. Consider the brutal dismantling of USAID carried out by Musk with President Trump’s support.

USAID has boosted U.S. influence around the world while providing desperately needed humanitarian assistance to fight disease, prevent starvation, and provide a lifeline to people displaced by political violence.

The agency enjoyed bipartisan support for this work for over 60 years. Then Musk and Trump suddenly (and illegally) shut it down, abruptly cutting off countless people from lifesaving support. Musk bragged heartlessly about “feeding USAID into the wood chipper.”

“In its simplest terms, the apparent demise of USAID is the result of the world’s richest man ending a program that helps millions of poor people,” wrote Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large for America magazine, a Catholic publication. “You don’t need a Ph.D. in moral theology to see why this is an evil. You can just read Jesus’s parables on the rich and the poor.”

Lutherans aren’t the only people of faith being smeared. When Catholic bishops criticized a policy change to allow immigration agents to arrest people in churches, Vice President J.D. Vance suggested the bishops weren’t concerned about the human cost of these policies but about their own budgets.

Since then, no less than Pope Francis himself has condemned mass deportations and the dehumanizing rhetoric behind them.

Sadly, it’s no longer surprising to see conservative Christian activists attack and demean the faith of other Christians who disagree with the Trump team’s actions. When Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde respectfully asked President Trump to show mercy toward immigrants, LGBTQ people, and their families, she became the target of vicious smears and threats.

Bishop Budde has stood her ground, but others have not.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, whose state is home to the nation’s largest Lutheran congregation, refused to answer when a congressman asked if she believes Lutheran Family Services is a money laundering operation. Reynolds is smart enough to know it’s not, but she was unwilling, like many elected officials, to say anything that might invite the wrath of Trump or Musk.

The Americans who will be harmed by these lies deserve better than this senseless cruelty.

Peter Montgomery is a Senior Fellow at People for the American Way. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

Related articles:

Commentary |
“Hands Off” rallies across the nation were patriotism in action

C-U 'Hands Off!' protesters rally against Trump administration policies and Musk-led cuts

Guest Commentary |
Global Zionist citizenship, an updated anifesto

League of Women Voters to host peaceful protest around Illinois

State Representative says Illinois needs to focus on its citizens

Commentary | American holiday efficiency, a three-for-one on June 14

Commentary |
Christian congregations are standing up to cruelty. Why won’t politicians?

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