Greater Godfrey Democrats Join Nationwide Protests
Members of the Greater Godfrey Democrats joined hundreds of concerned citizens from across the Riverbend and surrounding communities to stand against the current administration’s anti-democratic actions. This demonstration was part of the nation-wide No Kings protest, a coordinated effort highlighting the importance of preserving democratic principles.
The local march was organized by Alton People’s United, the grassroots group that also leads weekly protests in downtown Alton. Participants gathered at the Elijah P. Lovejoy monument in the Alton City Cemetery—a powerful symbol of free speech and resistance, honoring the abolitionist editor who gave his life defending freedom of the press. From there, the march wound through the city and concluded at the Lincoln-Douglas Square, the site commemorating the historic 1858 Senate debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. These two landmarks served as fitting bookends for a protest centered on protecting democracy and civil liberties.
Attendance was strong, with well over 1,000 people joining from across the region, including St. Louis, Collinsville, Greenville, and Calhoun County. Many expressed that they felt compelled to exercise their First Amendment rights, adding their voices to a growing national movement calling for accountability and the preservation of democratic norms.
