The recent end of the longest federal government shutdown in history didn’t end concerns some Fox Valley residents have about the state of the country right now.
A demonstration focusing on immigrant rights, health care affordability and food insecurity was held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday outside the Batavia Public Library.
The rally was organized by the Batavia-Aurora Area Chapter of Indivisible Illinois, which, according to a press release from the organization, is “an action group fighting for a democracy that is inclusive, fair and nonviolent, aiming to change policy at local, state and federal levels.”
Brian Strobel of Batavia was one of the protestors on site and said he has attended many rallies over the past several months.
“I continue to come out because this is something we believe in. We don’t like the way the country is going,” he said. “The present administration – we want to see change. Everything we can do to get the word out we’re doing.”
Batavia resident Sharon Riggle, who founded the Batavia-Aurora Area Chapter of Indivisible Illinois, said the group has been very active in the past year, especially given that it was just launched this past February.
“We’ve had something like 10 to 12 rallies already,” she said before Saturday’s event. “On Saturday, we’re focusing on three different issues as there is a lot going on right now. We’re looking at health care access and affordability, food insecurity and immigration rights and fair policies.”
Riggle spoke about the ending of the recent federal government shutdown and said that “the reopening did not solve all our problems.”
“I wish we didn’t have to continue to raise awareness. I wish the reopening had solved all our problems but clearly it does not,” she said.
Riggle said concerns remain about the affordability of health care. Regarding food insecurity, Riggle said rising prices and concerns about SNAP benefits make this a troubling time.
“I’m worried about people getting food down the road,” she said.
She also expressed concern about immigration issues and “the safety of our neighbors and friends in the Aurora-Batavia area.”
“There is talk about things scaling back but, in fact, things are ramping up,” she said. “I am worried about people being pulled off the street with lack of due process.”
Many who took part in Saturday’s rally spoke about the need to keep the pressure on politicians as well as the need for public awareness.
Ginger Neenan of Aurora said that “things are not going well in the country these days and the power is with the people.”
Kathy Sullivan of Batavia said events like the one held Saturday are important.
“I’ve been coming to these since they started having them and feel there is just too much corruption with the (Trump) administration,” she said. “We have to speak out. To me, this is making a difference because we’re getting publicity and people need to know there are also people out there who feel this way.”
Saturday’s event was organized just two weeks ago and Riggle said “due to a lot of competing activities it would probably be rather small.”
By 1 p.m. on Saturday, about four to five dozen participants had shown up.
“This is still a way of showing others how we feel – the people who drive by and honk – it encourages us as well as them,” she said. “It’s valuable regardless of the numbers. We know these events are making a difference.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
