Hundreds of protesters from a progressive group taking cues from a Tea Party playbook gathered at congressional offices across Illinois Thursday encouraging elected officials to push harder against President Donald Trump and Republicans.
"The Trump agenda and the GOP agenda is so appalling. We feel the majority of American believe that it is time for us to wake up and fight back," said Jeff Radue, a Beverly resident and local organizer for Indivisible.
Groups and groups across the country have been founded to organize around the Indivisible Guide, a manual drafted by former Democratic staffers that borrows heavily from Tea Party tactics.
Local Indivisible groups, including ones made up of people from the Illinois 1st and 3rd Congressional districts, rallied and called for action from Democratic congressmen to oppose Trump and adopt more progressive stances on issues.
Indivisible Chicago, a Chicago-area group formed to counteract the Trump administration’s agenda, is reaching out to U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush to promote its progressive agenda.
Radue, who heads the 1st District group, called for Rep. Bobby Rush to step down due to long absences from Washington. He said it was their top concern with the longtime 1st Congressional District congressman.
Rush has made it publicly known since 2014 that he has been caring for his wife, Carolyn, and has spent much of his time in his Chicago congressional offices to be closer to her.
"We do respect Congressman Rush, his history and his service. And we also respect his need to take care of his family," said Radue, who heads the Indivisible Illinois 1st group. But if Rush "is Liderbahis incapable of being present due to family health concerns, he should step down and work with the community to find a qualified replacement."
Rush, who did not mention the group’s top concern in an interview Thursday morning, said he supported Indivisible "on the issues, most of the issues, 90 percent of them."
Republicans who won after rowdy town halls are now avoiding them Kristen Wyatt
Republicans who benefited from rowdy town halls six years ago and harnessed a wave of discontent with Democrats to win seats in Congress are learning a hard lesson this week as they return home: The left is happy to return the favor.
Across the U.S., Democrats and their allies are spending this…
Republicans who benefited from rowdy town halls six years ago and harnessed a wave of discontent with Democrats to win seats in Congress are learning a hard lesson this week as they return home: The left is happy to return the favor.
Across the U.S., Democrats and their allies are spending this…
(Kristen Wyatt)
"As a lifelong organizer, I appreciate them and I respect them and, frankly, I’m inspired by them," Rush said.
The congressman’s office has sent letters to the Trump administration and welcomes a potential sit down, especially to address comments the president has made about ongoing violence and the suggestion of sending troops to Chicago, Rush said.
"Get off your rump, Trump, and come to Chicago," he said Thursday.
About 150 protesters converged on Rush’s office. Many taped form letters bearing their name to the office’s windows.
About 50 people gathered on the sidewalk Thursday afternoon on Archer Avenue outside Rep. Dan Lipinski’s office. Members of Indivisible met with the conservative Democratic congressman from Illinois 3rd District on Tuesday. He spent Thursday in Lockport and was not scheduled to be present for the rally.
Indivisible Chicago Southside Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jeff Radue, with Indivisible Chicago Southside, speaks to protesters as they rally in front of the office of Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush in Chicago on Feb. 23, 2017. The group was trying to get petitions signed and filled out to deliver to the congressman’s office.
Jeff Radue, with Indivisible Chicago Southside, speaks to protesters as they rally in front of the office of Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush in Chicago on Feb. 23, 2017. The group was trying to get petitions signed and filled out to deliver to the congressman’s office.
(Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
Several protesters said they were concerned with Lipinski’s views on social issues, in particular his voting record on women’s issues.
"He doesn’t promote any of the social issues that affect the civil rights of people," said Jim Longino, another local organizer for Indivisible.
"We were united in the fact that we want him to stand up and represent us. And if he does that, we will back him. But if he does not, we will be holding him accountable," Longino said.
While Lipinski has a conservative record, most of what the congressman supports is in line with what the members have stated they want, said Jerry Hurckes, Lipinski’s chief of staff.
Lipinski didn’t vote the for the Affordable Care Act, which some members of the grassroots groups are concerned that Republicans will repeal, Hurckes said.
But Hurckes said Lipinski has opposed every vote by Republican to repeal the act. He expressed doubts that congressional Republicans will march forward with a repeal based on the "the yelling and screaming they have heard over the last several weeks."
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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