America’s 250th birthday is almost here, and some Illinois organizations are planning alternative celebrations.
The 50501 Movement, Next 250 and many more national and local organizers are planning a June 27 mobilization effort to provide a “more inclusive” celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Thousands are expected to join marches, community celebrations and cultural gatherings across the country, with more than half a dozen scheduled in Illinois.
What is June 27 mobilization about?
“All of US: A Nationwide Mobilization for Truth, Equality & Freedom Ahead of America’s 250th” is defined on its website as “a unifying day of marches, rallies, and protests to reject the whitewashing of our past and future.”
In protest of the Trump administration’s “whitewashed celebration of the 250th,” organizers say they aim to provide an inclusive environment for all Americans, reckon with the country’s true history and commit to its improvement.
The flagship mobilization will take place in Washington, D.C., where 3,000 to 5,000 participants are expected to gather in McPherson Square for a day of community programming, cultural activations, art and music. A march is also set to pass through Black Lives Matter Plaza and past the White House.
When and where are June 27 demonstrations in Illinois?
The times and locations of the June 27 demonstrations scheduled in Illinois can be found below. Find contact information and RSVP to events at allofus250.org.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois groups to mobilize June 27 in protest of ‘whitewashed’ USA 250
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
