SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Along Minnesota Avenue and on the lawn of Van Eps Park, rally-goers gathered to express their concerns with the Trump administration.
“I want to protect democracy in particular. I want to protect the right to vote,” said Joyce Vos, a protestor.
Organizers say they have a long list of frustrations with political leaders, too.
“There’s an awful lot of things we’re concerned about,” said Mike Brooke, advisory board member for Indivisible 605. “Health care, costs are going to go up, Medicaid benefits are going to be cut, SNAP benefits for food programs have been cut.”
That’s why the groups aren’t just here for political activism— they’re giving back to the community.
“Midwest Street Medicine is out here doing quite literally the work of angels,” said Andrew Cedergren, a local organizer for 50501 SD. “They’re helping our people that are indigent and needing the medical supplies that they’re just not able to get right here on the street.”
While they’re gathered together, a third group is looking for people to join them in signing a petition. The petition asks Senate Majority Leader John Thune to uphold his oath to the Constitution. Joyce Vos is one of many who signed it.
“Will it matter to Thune? I don’t know. But we’ve got to keep working,” said Vos.
As the donations pile up and more people file in, organizers hope their main goal of the rally rings true:
“It’s really just to raise awareness, that these things are happening. They’re real,” Brooke said.
