The Sentinel: Rally

Supporters of higher education rally for students' rights on two campuses last week

People need to "reach out to their elected officials to oppose executive orders threatening constitutional rights and the well-being of international community members and the university."

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

CHICAGO -It has been a busy week for supporters of higher education in Illinois, with two separate protests at Northern Illinois University and Northeastern Illinois University.

More than 100 students and faculty members rallied Tuesday at Chicago's Northeastern Illinois campus in support of the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act. Students spoke about the importance of higher-ed funding, particularly for diverse campuses serving many low-income and first-generation students.

Brandon Bisbey, assistant professor of Spanish at Northeastern Illinois, said the bill would help to address the university's underfunding challenges. He pointed out state appropriations cover about 30% of their budget.

"It costs more money to serve students whose social identities have these different aspects that affect their experience," Bisbey pointed out. "This is something that we struggle with at Northeastern, because we just do not have the resources to give all the students all the resources that they need."

He noted the school has been forced to continue to increase tuition to keep up with the disinvestment in higher education, and said fair funding is even more critical in light of the Trump administration's attacks on university funding and academic freedom.

On Wednesday, Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., joined nearly 250 demonstrators on Northern Illinois' DeKalb campus. They rallied against the Trump administration's decision to revoke visas of at least five of the school's international students.

Mark Van Wienen, professor of English at Northern Illinois, said international students, faculty and staff received legal advice not to attend the rally due to potential threats from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He observed it all speaks to the idea freedoms of assembly and speech should in some way be curbed in the U.S.

"That there should be a line drawn between international colleagues and international students, who are here as our invited guests, brings just sadness and a sense of determination," Van Wienen emphasized. "This is not what the United States is fundamentally about."

Van Wienen, along with organizers, encouraged the demonstrators to reach out to their elected officials to oppose executive orders threatening constitutional rights and the well-being of international community members and the university.

"We need to stand up now in support of them and we need to stand up now for the support of our rights," Van Wienen urged. "Because if we don't now, and we don't continuously, those rights are at grave risk."

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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.

"50 States, 1 Movement": 50501 Encourages community action for next protest

Protesters at Champaign's *Hands Off!* rally line University Avenue in Champaign. Over a thousand people were at Westside Park on a chilly April 5 for two hours, joining more than an estimated 1 million protesters nationwide.

URBANA - The 50501 group, using the slogan "50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement," is gearing up for its next event. The grassroots organization that coordinated 1,400 protests worldwide on April 5, is calling for a "Day of Action" on April 19.

While individual chapters/states can organize protests, 50501 said on its website, "We just aren't doing a big national push since many states need more time to plan and coordinate. We need to think a bit more long term and practical."

Activists nationwide had hoped for another rally similar to April 5 from the organization. The group thinks Americans affected by the Trump administration's tariffs and job cuts can be better served Easter weekend by performing acts of kindness and service.

"You don't have to reinvent the wheel, if there's an organization locally that has been doing the good work ... ask how you can help!"

Four things they suggest include:

Donating to a local organization that feeds/clothes/helps local people, especially underserved areas.
Hosting a picnic where everyone brings a few items that are in good condition to swap out for something they might need from someone else.
Doing a clothing drive during a park day or community cookout.
Meeting up at the library to discuss different actions or start a book club.

Champaign-Urbana comes together for Hands-Off! rally

Champaign Hands-Off! Mobilization — **CHAMPAIGN** - Over a thousand people gathered at West Park for the Hands-Off! Mobilization rally on Saturday at noon. Across the nation, hundreds of thousands of Americans participated in a national day of action to protest policies implemented since Donald Trump began his second term as President. Critics highlight Trump's frequent use of executive orders, bypassing legislative process, which they argue has harmed the country's reputation, economy, and exacerbated societal divisions. The two-hour rally featured several guest speakers who shared their thoughts on the state of the country since Trump has taken office. Conservative estimates put the attendance significantly above last Saturday's rain-soaked Rally for Democracy organized by Champaign-Urbana Resistance Effort (CURE) in Urbana. See more photos here ...

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Hands Off! mass moblizations this Saturday in Central Illinois

CHAMPAIGN – Hands Off! is organizing a national day of action on April 5 across the country. Local rallies will occur in Charleston, Bloomington, Springfield, and Peoria, in addition to the main protest in Washington, D.C.

Champaign-Urbana's protest will be at West Side Park on Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. Last week, despite persistent rain, more than 300 demonstrators gathered at the Champaign County Courthouse to protest the policies and actions of President Donald Trump's second administration.

Partnering with the AFL-CIO, the ACLU, Patriotic Millionaires, the National Education Association, and more than two dozen organizations, the objective is for people across the country to take action. They hope thousands of people will march, rally, disrupt, and demand an end to this billionaire power grab.

"We’ll show up at state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices, and city centers—anywhere we can make sure they hear us," it says on the organization's website.

They believe America is undergoing a hostile takeover by billionaires with policies affecting voting rights, the Social Security system, and the gutting of laws protecting against predatory financial practices in consumer banking.

"We are facing a national crisis. Our democracy, our livelihoods, and our rights are all on the line as Trump and Musk execute their illegal takeover."

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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

A just peace, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine

Sam Veremchuk on the U of I Quad on Monday

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Samuel Veremchuk, a graduate student at the University of Illinois, organized a rally, drawing a small yet passionate group of attendees, predominantly Ukrainian, Eastern European, and supportive Americans. The event, 'Rally for a Just Peace in Ukraine!', aimed to bolster solidarity for Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion and the evolving US foreign policy under the new Trump administration was held on the Quad behind the Illini Union Monday afternoon.

Ukrainian-American Joseph Mosse expresses his thoughts and frustrations at the rally on Monday. Mosse lived in Ukraine for ten years when he was a child. Mosse said, "Ukrainians have benefited greatly from support from the United States, from Europe and from other countries. Frankly even that support was never enough."

On Thursday, four campus departments will sponsor the screening of "Intercepted," a documentary film composed of intercepted phone calls from Russian soldiers on Ukrainian battlefields to their families and friends in Russia. The film combines these recordings with vivid imagery depicting the aftermath of Russia's destructive invasion. Sponsored by the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center; Ukrainian Students Association; Slavic Reference Service; and Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures, the event will include a discussion featuring REEC Associate Director Markian Dobczansky and Olha Khometa, Assistant Professor in Slavic Languages & Literatures.

The screening is free to the public and will be shown in Room 66 at Main Library, located 1408 W Gregory Dr in Urbana.

Protesters show support for Ukraine on University of Illinois campus

Photos | MLK Walk for Peace sends message to young people

URBANA -- Late Monday morning on January 17, just over 100 walkers came together to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speakers also talked about the work in the community that still needs to be done, especially with a focus on the escalation of gun violence not only in the Champaign-Urbana area but around the country.

"What we want to utilize (this day) for is not only to commemorate him but to actually put a highlight on some of the things going on now in our own communities," said Maurice Hayes, Executive Director of HV Neighborhood Transformation. "We are facing the pandemic of gun violence and death in all of our high hope areas. We want to take this opportunity to let our kids know we are riding with them the same way Dr. King road for us."

The MLK Walk for Peace was a collaboration between HV Neighborhood Transformation, Urbana Rotary Club, Housing Authority of Champaign County/YouthBuild, Urbana Free Library and Park District, as well as the City of Urbana.

Hayes told the audience he and others have made their life's purpose to saving kids from the gun violence seen "every day in Champaign-Urbana, and in every high hope area across the United States of America."

"This, too, has to be a reason we stand and fight. This too has to be a reason why we march," he said. "This, too, has to be a purpose-driven mission that we as a community must take on ourselves. We stand with these young people."

Walkers set out from Crestview Park in Urbana along Cottage Grove for the 2022 MLK Walk for Peace on Monday. A diverse group of children and adults of all ages used the walk to Larson Park to discuss issues of concern and what they can do to improve life in the Champaign-Urbana community.

Photo: PhotoNews Media

Despite frigid temperatures on Monday, peaceful walkers reach Larson Park in Urbana where they heard a brief presentation from Maurice Hayes, Executive Director of HV Neighborhood Transformations, and Youth Build student Asia Mitchell.

Photo: PhotoNews Media

Maurice Hayes gives a keynote speech at Larson Park. Hayes told the gathering, "Today, we tell him thank you. Today, we show a small bit of sacrifice being out here in this cold to the major sacrifice not only he but a bunch of others showed in the betterment of our lives. So we thank Dr. King and we say God Bless you, continue to rest in heaven and continue to rest peacefully."

Photo: PhotoNews Media

Participants at the march stay socially distant while singing an impromptu rendition of Lift Up Every Voice and Sing during the rally at Larson Park.

Photo: PhotoNews Media

Asia Mitchell talks at the Urbana MLK Walk for Peace

During her talk, Asia Mitchell told listeners that Dr. Martin Luther King civil rights movement was an inspiration to her. "We are living his dream," she said. " There is still a lot of violence and crime, but we live in freedom. It is a free world. He had a dream all this nonsense would go away. Even though it is still here, as a family we are still making it work."

Photo: PhotoNews Media

"We have to know how to lead them and where we are leading them to," Hayes said about the future of young people of today. "So often our kids are misled by the some of the wrong things. It's going to take us as adults in the room to lead them in a different direction to prosperity and to grow success."

Photo: PhotoNews Media