'Stop the Coup' rally draws large crowd

Almost 200 people participated in a “Stop the Coup” rally on Presidents' Day in Carbondale.

Participants lined the sidewalks around the Carbondale Civic Center, many holding signs with themes of both unity and discontent with the Trump administration’s recent actions. The rally was organized by Judy Ashby and the Carbondale Positive Action Committee.

The Carbondale Positive Action Committee was formed shortly after the last presidential election when Ashby and some of her friends decided to take action in the face of what they believed had the potential to be a gloomy and democracy-challenging next four years.

The Presidents' Day rally itself was pulled together just a few days before the event, and the organizers had hoped that at least a couple dozen people would show up. The call to action resonated with many people who braved below-freezing temperatures.

The Carbondale Positive Action Committee is planning another rally in support of the proposed Economic Blackout on Friday, Feb. 28. The rally will once again take place from noon to 1 p.m. in front of the Carbondale Civic Center. For more information, contact Ashby via email at judybug2@frontier.com.