PEORIA, Ill.—On the heels of Trump’s so-called “big beautiful bill,” Peoria’s chapter of the 50501 movement held their “Stars and Stripes and Equal Rights” rally on Independence Day in Laura Bradley Park.
The grassroots organization called for an end to billionaires’ grip on the federal government, an end to the rollback of federal jobs and social services, and to push back against hate and division.
Several rally goers expressed concerns over the passage of the budget reconciliation bill. As 50501 volunteer Hillary Wasson told People’s World, “With the big, beautiful, ugly, horrible bill that just passed yesterday, there are of course concerns for people’s access to health care, and that’s going to have catastrophic impacts.”
As the rally kicked off, participants were treated to live music and given opportunities for rock painting to leave positive messages around the park.
Theresa Kuhlmann told People’s World that the event was more than just a protest. Organizers envisioned Stars and Stripes and Equal Rights as a way to build community and a place for Peorians to connect.
“We want to make a statement about the things we want to happen,” Kuhlmann said. “We are wanting to be modeling the behaviors of the kind of community we want to live in.”
Many in the crowd expressed concern over a broad range of issues—from health care and retirement to ICE raids, from opposing the war against Iran to ending the genocide in Palestine, and more.
50501’s Peoria chapter plans to continue bringing the community together and building bridges with other organizations and community groups.
“On a day when we are celebrating our independence, we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep that independence and those freedoms,” Kuhlmann stated.
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