Rush hour traffic in the Carbondale roundabout got a little noisy around 4 PM Thursday. About 30 protesters with signs encouraging resistance, impeachment and democracy were on the sidewalks, urging drivers to honk if they supported the protest. May Day protests drew thousands around the world.
Carbondale resident Jeanne Perry told KDNK that the local event was inspired by the weekly assemblies of the Ladies of the Roundabout - although on Thursday a few men were among the protesters. “The Ladies of the Roundabout started with [former Carbondale resident] Barbara Bush when the roundabout was being built,” said Perry. “We would meet with drinks in hand and wave to everybody at 5 PM as they drove around and around honking.”
No drinks were in-hand Thursday. Perry said the gathering has taken on a more serious tone. “Today is more about protesting what’s going on at a federal level,” she explained. “It’s all a part of what we can do - joyful resistance, right?” She added, “Just do what you can and don’t worry because grassroots, in the end, we will prevail.”
