A community rally took place on March 4 at Fresno City Hall where organizers and attendees gathered to express their feelings about current events, and the goal of demonstrating to the public and elected officials that the community is still engaged and active. The rally was hosted by the Indivisible organization.
“We need you to stand up for us and for our kids and our grandkids,” said Myra Coble, a rally attendee.
Protesters were holding signs that varied from “Save our Democracy,” “When injustice becomes law, Resistance becomes duty” and “More Medicaid; Save US government jobs.”
Indivisible is a national organization with local chapters that aims to empower people to take action and contact their elected officials. There is a facebook group called Central Valley Indivisible, where people who want to be involved can simply send a request to join. They post daily or every other day to inform on demonstrations happening around the Central Valley.
Myra Coble, a member of the Indivisible organization, said that people should contact their elected representatives, holding them accountable and support those who are fighting the current administration’s policies.
“Right now, our Republican representatives need to know that we are going to hold them accountable,” Coble said. “They need to own what Trump is doing. They’re allowing it and we need to force them to say it out loud, to speak up about it.”
Coble added that everyone is going to be affected by the policies that are being implemented therefore more community support would be a call to action.
Artemis Gidram, one of Indivisibles’ members emphasizes that youth involvement is important in political issues.
“The old rolls out, the young rolls in, and we want to see them come out and be able to have their voices heard and be able to work for a better us tomorrow,” Gidram said.
Joleen Sibert, a member of the Central Valley Indivisible, had her own reasons for attending the rally, which includes political and social issues. Sibert has a desire for universal healthcare and has concerns about the lack of empathy the current government is having on human beings.
Yet climate change is something Sibert is deeply concerned about. Sibert believes it’s crucial for the younger generation to be addressing these issues.
“First of all, I am really, really, really concerned about the climate and the planet,” Sibert said. “It’s an existential problem.”
An interviewee who was a part of the rally was able to share how important it is for the community to come together to show visibility.
“We live in an area of California that isn’t as progressive as other parts of California,” said an attendee who did not want to be named. “So I think that there’s kind of a vacuum of people here who are more progressive, but because of where we live, they feel the need to hide that part of themselves.”
It’s important for the youth to participate in these events to increase visibility in the more conservative Central Valley region.
Creating supportive communities and networks for progressive minded individuals in a conservative area can really help people feel a sense of belonging especially in areas where it may not be widely represented.
This is the first of many Indivisible community rallies. Individuals can stay connected with them on Facebook for more information on upcoming events.
