Community members gather in Bloomington against controversial flyer

BLOOMINGTON- Ill. – The planned March on Bloomington, advertised by a flyer circulating in Bloomington-Normal with a swastika insignia symbolizing the group’s promise to “claim Illinois for real citizens,” turned out to be false. 

What turned out to be true was the pushback against the supposed march’s narrative, as a couple of hundred citizens showed up to protest for an inclusive community. Organizations such as the Central Illinois American Civil Liberties Union, Bloomington-Normal, 50501, Punks Against Trump, and several others.  

“We’re trying to get people to stand up and say, ‘we’re not going to take this anymore,’” lead organizer Mike Gizzi said. “All sorts of groups in our community are under threat right from the regime. We are all impacted by the decisions about health care, LGBT rights, Medicaid, and the threat to our migrant communities.” 

The protesters gathered on the lawn in front of the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts, holding signs, chanting, and encouraging those driving by to honk their horns if they support the cause.  

Around 12:30 p.m., some of the leaders of the various attending organizations began speaking, beginning with Camille Taylor, one of the leaders of the Not in Our Town organization.  

“During the pandemic, my husband, mother, and I experienced the pain and hate of discrimination when one of our neighbors called the police on us and accused us of something we didn’t do,” Taylor said. “I have lived in my neighborhood for over 30 years and never had any trouble with my neighbors until then. For the first time since living in this community for over 50 years, I no longer felt safe.”  

Another speaker was Dave Bentlin of the Prairie Pride Coalition, who encouraged the crowd to remember why they must continue to push back against issues like these. 

“The fact that a march did not occur this morning does not negate the fact that, through their tactics, this infinitesimal group seeks to intimidate and silence us,” Bentlin said. “In these challenging days, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I all honesty, there are times when I don’t see that light, but there are other times when I know we will come out the other side.” 

One of the attendees was ISU Student Andrew Franson from the Punks Against Trump organization. He explained why unifying all these different organizations is the key to progress.  

“This is how we win,” Franson said. “I might have ideological differences with a lot of people here, but one of my mantras as a student organizer is that even if we have these ideological differences, it’s important we stay together because this is how we fight authoritarianism.” 

Franson has attended a number of protests during his time in Bloomington-Normal. He stated that his drive for social justice comes from the belief that making your voice heard is important regardless of age. 

“I want to leave you with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.,” Taylor said. “’ No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.’”