Photos: 34 Arrested At End Of Big 'March To Springfield' Protest

By aaroncynic in News on May 31, 2017 3:56PM

Nearly three dozen protesters were arrested in the Capitol building late Tuesday evening after a day long demonstration demanding what activists call a “people and planet first” budget.

The demonstration in Springfield was the culmination of a 15-day long march to the state capitol for a group of activists that began in Chicago, demanding the governor and legislature put forward a budget that contains a variety of infrastructure and other investments funded by the closure of corporate tax loopholes, a progressive income tax, and a LaSalle Street financial transaction tax.

“Right now, corporations and the ultra-wealthy run this state, and Gov. Bruce Rauner is willing to destroy public education, health and human services, and our state’s infrastructure in order to protect their outrageous tax breaks,” Joe Padilla, of the group Fair Economy Illinois, the coalition that organized the march, said in a statement to Chicagoist. “We’re demanding that Rauner stand up for the people of Illinois and require corporations and the rich pay their fair share that Illinois government can fulfill its fundamental responsibility to invest in us and our communities.”

Illinois has gone an unprecedented 700 days without a fully funded budget, and as the legislature readies to adjourn this week, it’s more than likely the state will begin next fiscal year without one as well. The impasse has created a nightmare for organizations and agencies that rely on the state for funding, with many making drastic cuts or closing altogether, as well as vendors and others that do business with the state. Lawmakers and the governor—who are at odds over a proposed package of austerity measures “reforms” Rauner has demanded the legislature pass—have spent most of the entire time blaming each other for the crisis.

While the group that marched the entire 200-mile route from Chicago to Springfield was small, hundreds met them in the Capitol building for a rally Tuesday, with a total of 34 choosing to face arrest. The group followed the I-55 corridor, and had several “listening stops” along the way of their journey to connect with and share experiences about how the budget impasse has affected them.

“All along the route, people told us painful stories about how budget cuts have hurt them,” said Martese Chism, another member of Fair Economy Illinois and a registered nurse. “But we do not simply want a return to the status quo of two years ago. Our communities have been suffering disinvestment for many years. That’s why we emphatically reject a ‘grand bargain’ that would make further cuts. It’s time for our elected officials to make corporations and the rich pay their fair share so that the state can afford to invest in our collective future.”

Capitol police give order for #MarchToSpringfield to disperse. Protestors respond: whose side are you on? #PPFbudget pic.twitter.com/kMqBTIJNNo

— March to Springfield (@march2spfld) May 31, 2017

Groups of demonstrators could be seen all over the Capitol building, with some being dragged from chambers while others blocked the doors. The bulk of demonstrators arrested were zip-tied together in front of the governor’s office. All 34 were released late into the night, and will be charged with criminal trespass. Several legislators tweeted support for them, including gubernatorial candidate Senator Daniel Biss and Rep. Kelly Cassidy.

The last protestors removed from the Capitol. It's come to this: arresting some of the only ppl trying to help. -DB pic.twitter.com/w1oKJN8FeD

— Daniel Biss (@danielbiss) May 31, 2017

Down to the last few. Seven left. As each the group gets smaller, the singing of "Whose side are you on?" becomes more haunting pic.twitter.com/jQwKN3cZZ3

— Rep. Kelly Cassidy (@RepKellyCassidy) May 31, 2017