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A Talk With Springfield Activists Who 'Resist' Trump

Rachel Otwell
/
NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS
from L: Veronica Espina, Tracy Owens & Shatriya Smith

Across the country, activists who say they stand in opposition to many of the Trump administration's goals are organizing. Many call themselves the 'Resistance', a nod to terminology previously used by those living under authoritarian regimes. They've been key players in the Women's March on Washington(and in other cities), which has been called one of thelargest demonstrationsin the U.S. 

They've organized other events like rallies in support of Planned Parenthood (locally, they were also protestors with opposing viewpoints who gathered in Springfield.)  We caught up with three women who have been organizing and advocating in Springfield, past and presently, to hear more about what they've been up to since the election. Shatriya Smith, Veronica  Espina and Tracy Owens joined us to talk about their efforts, and the groups they represent, including the area's chapter of 'Action for a Better Tomorrow', the Springfield Black Lives Mattereffort, and the Springfield Coalition on Dismantling Racism:

Rachel Otwell of the Illinois Times is a former NPR Illinois reporter.
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