Love of nation introduced folks like Nancy and Fred Cross of Ingleside, in addition to former state Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, to a “No Kings” rally in Gurnee — considered one of three in Lake County over the weekend.
That they had totally different issues, however their message was the identical.
“That is my third rally,” Nancy Cross mentioned. “It’s uplifting to be right here with all these folks. I really feel like I’ve to do one thing about saving our democracy. I really like my nation.”
“I’ve been a lawyer for 35 years, and I’ve by no means seen so many individuals (in energy) who haven’t realized the essential ideas of our Structure,” added Fred Cross, Nancy’s husband. “I’m seeing them violated daily.”
Bush was holding an indication studying, “We love America, that’s why we’re right here.” She mentioned there’s quite a lot of division throughout the nation. She desires to see folks work to protect the nation’s democratic ideas and get away from what she believes is the start of “one-party rule.”
The Crosses and Bush had been amongst greater than 14,500 folks at “No Kings” rallies demonstrating for his or her idea of American ideas at occasions Saturday in Gurnee, Highland Park and Buffalo Grove, criticizing what many contemplate the rising authoritarianism of President Donald Trump and his administration.
Demonstrators lined three blocks of Grand Avenue on each side of the road, in addition to the parkway separating the roadway from the sidewalk. Additionally they stood holding their indicators alongside a block on each side of Hunt Membership Highway.
When the primary “No Kings” rally was held nationwide in June, greater than 8.500 folks participated in the identical cities. The variety of folks there this time grew greater than 40% to 14,500 within the 4 months between the 2 occasions.
In June, 4,500 got here to a rally throughout from the Gurnee Mills purchasing heart, round 2,500 had been on the occasion close to the Highland Park Metropolis Corridor and greater than 1,500 in Buffalo Grove. This time, there greater than 10,000 in Gurnee, 3,000 in Highland Park and 1,500 in Buffalo Grove.
With roughly 100,000 rallying and marching close to downtown Chicago, there have been “No Kings” rallies in a lot of different suburbs. Related occasions had been held throughout the nation.
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, mingled with the group in Gurnee listening to their issues. He spoke to the folks in Highland Park. He was on the Gurnee rally in June. He mentioned he has seen a distinction within the ensuing 4 months.
“I see youthful households now,” he mentioned in Gurnee. “The households you see right here who love our nation will safe our future. There are extra folks right here with quite a lot of vitality, and an unrequited love for our nation and our future.”
Lake County Democratic Chair Lauren Beth Gash, who helped set up the rallies — she attended the one in Highland Park, and one other in Arlington Heights — mentioned in a textual content Sunday that Trump is “ignoring the Structure and is pushing harmful insurance policies.”
“Persons are fed up and need to make their voices heard,” she mentioned. “They need to have the ability to inform their kids and grandchildren they had been on the suitable facet of historical past towards this profoundly un-American, authoritarian regime.”
Keith Brin, the chair of the Laike County Republican Central Committee, mentioned in a textual content Sunday the protestors round Lake County have the incorrect goal. With the federal authorities shutdown about to enter its third week, the folks on the streets have to complain about companies placed on maintain.
“Navy households aren’t getting paid, farmers aren’t getting help and air journey is put in danger all for partisan political video games,” he mentioned. “These protesters have to demand Senate Democrats vote for the clear decision so we will get the federal government again working for the folks.”
Talking to the group in Highland Park, Schneider mentioned the nation and the federal government are all in regards to the folks because it has been for almost 250 years of the nation’s existence. He referred to as the Structure, “the best doc within the historical past of political paperwork.”
“What are the primary phrases of our nice nation?” Schneider requested the group. “‘We maintain these truths to be self-evident,’ We all know these truths are created by the folks, for the folks and of the folks.
“The muse of the nation that has given us all of the freedoms that we took without any consideration, and now stand to defend, (begins with), ‘We the folks.’ All of us right here and in any respect the ‘No Kings’ rallies throughout the nation are sending a message — We’re the folks.”
Ben Glassberg of Fox Lake mentioned on the Gurnee rally he was involved about Trump when he was first operating for president in 2016. With the present operation to seek out undocumented immigrants and different insurance policies, he mentioned the president has gone too far.
Joan Zahnle of Highland Park was one of many organizers of the rally in her metropolis. She mentioned the group Saturday was not solely larger than at previous rallies, however like the group Schneider described in Gurnee, it was extra consultant of the group.
“We had infants and great-grandmothers,” Zahnle mentioned. “There have been quite a lot of younger folks of their 30s and 40s with kids who had been 6, 7 and eight. I by no means noticed that many younger folks right here earlier than.”
Lake County Board member Marah Altenberg, D-Buffalo Grove, was the organizer of the rally in her village. She mentioned the folks got here from cities all through the county. For them, it was additionally about love of nation.
“Individuals from Lake County, like myself, care deeply about preserving our democracy,” Altenberg mentioned. “Many see our Structure in danger. Following our Structure is the last word act of patriotism.”
The Chicago Tribune and the Related Press contributed to this story.
