PEORIA, Ill. – The groups that are protesting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ visit to Peoria say while they believe DeSantis is not welcome here, but also think it’s a teachable moment.
Peorians for Black Liberties’ Marshall Seidel says for one, if you don’t like DeSantis but want to agitate others, that doesn’t help anyone.
“When we have people, especially our white allies who take it into their own hands to be aggressive, that reflects very poorly on us. That puts our lives in danger,” said Seidel.
Protesters were seen near the Peoria federal courthouse and on the Kumpf Boulevard side of the Peoria Civic Center. Several dozen showed up for a rally, and as many as 100 were expected for a drag show.
The ACLU Peoria chapter is among those participating. Its president, Kristen Meierkord, says the organization isn’t partisan, and never will be, but still has to stand up for what she says is right.
“We know true American values. While I am not here to tell anyone who to vote for or against, especially the Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, here is what I can tell you. His values are not American values. And they are not values that we believe in Peoria. They will not play in Peoria,” said Meierkord, during a rally.
Meierkord says banning books, denying the teaching of history, denying healthcare to women or the transgender community, are not acceptable.
She says leaving such things to a handful of politicians is a bad idea.
DeSantis is scheduled to speak inside the Peoria Civic Center Friday night, hosted by the Peoria and Tazewell County Republicans. WMBD News will cover the speech, as we did the protesters.
