Why We Protest

This presidency has been arduous and long – and we aren’t even halfway through yet! Naysayers claim protests aren’t effective, that they are performative.

But time and again, from coast to coast, in small towns and metropolises, people show up in droves.

Some 200,000 protesters took to Grant Park yesterday for the No Kings rally and march--an estimated eight million nationwide at more than 3,300 events. What drives them?

Indivisibles and friends from Chicago’s Northwest Side tell us why they continue to turn out for demonstrations and what it means to them.

Amy L.

I protest because in times when I feel hopeless and powerless, protesting with likeminded people makes me feel more hopeful and powerful. I can’t sit idly by and do nothing. It gives me such a wonderful feeling of community and positivity. Oh, and there’s the moments of hysterical laughter at such creativity in some of the signs people come up with!

Kelly F.

I march to make sure this terrible President doesn’t make the world a horrible place for my grandkids!  Everyday is another affront to our democratic values…I can only hope and pray that we can stop him before too much damage can occur. 

Tracy S.

The Boston Tea Party, Civil Rights and Arab Spring. Protests work. Lately, I am inspired to show up because the world is watching. We must demonstrate massive U.S. resistance to our “leadership”–prove we aren’t quietly complicit in this atrocity.

Suzy J.

I march not because I believe that it will have some immediate, magical consequence, but because the solidarity and strength in numbers makes me feel hopeful. It’s a great outlet for our collective outrage. A gathering of that many like-minded people is powerful in a demonstrative way that even the naysayers can’t deny. 

Anonymous

We march to speak when our leaders are not speaking for us. We march when elections are taken as false mandates. We march when our resources are benefiting the few over the many. We march to highlight corruption. We march for camaraderie with our city, our country, and the world to speak as one.  

 Susan Z.

I marched today because our democracy is at risk and we the people have the right and the responsibility to take it back. Public protest is one of the ways we can begin to exercise our right.

"Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence." Leonardo da Vinci

What drives YOU to continue to march? Let us know here and we'll share your inspiration with others.

Protesting is one way we show up to demand change. Call your electeds. Chalk the Walk. Write postcards. Canvass. Phone bank. Help your neighbors. Mobilize your friends.

Rise Up. Resist. Rinse and repeat.

Check out all the ways you can get involved with ICNW here.

Access ICNW's linktree resources at: https://linktr.ee/indivisiblechicagonw (if it doesn't open directly from the link, you can copy and paste the link to your browser or right-click the link and select "open in new tab")

There is something for everyone, and if you have an idea you'd like our community to join in, you can create a member-led event.

In Solidarity,

The Amplify with ICNW Team