Smaller communities in central Illinois stepping up with their own protests, actions

When Seirra Helmer decided to protest the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25, she held a sign at the corner of West Morton Avenue and South Main Street in Jacksonville reading “Stop the criminalization of black people.”Only a couple of people joined her then, but Sunday’s turnout in Jacksonville, about 40 minutes west of Springfield, topped well over 300 people.“I am hoping for this community to come together, […]