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00000178-3092-da2f-a5fe-fbbf0c520000Reactions to the 2016 ElectionNPR and GLT are here for you as we all react to this historic election. Trust Morning Edition, On Point with Tom Ashbrook, Here & Now and All Things Considered for in depth reporting and thoughtful analysis of the national races and international reactions. Count on GLT and IPR for comprehensive coverage of events here in central Illinois.

Central Illinois Activists To Oppose Trump, Policies

Staff
/
WGLT

Bloomington-Normal activists are worried about what Donald Trump will actually try to accomplish as President. Sonny Garcia and Bill Rau, both part of Illinois People's Action appeared on  Sound Ideas, and organized a protest in downtown Bloomington. Garcia said there is a lot of concern Trump will try to make good on promises to deport eleven million people...

"I have several personal a relationships with 'dreamers' on a local level and I'm afraid for them, said Garcia. "We are working on trying to build networks of support, not only against ICE or local law enforcement, but also against vigilantes."

Dreamers are young adult children of undocumented immigrants who have often lived most of their lives in the U.S. Garcia said these immigrants are floating out in the wind. He said they do not have rights and are afraid to go to the police when they are crime victims.

Garcia says there is at least one area of common ground with Trump. He said he  he favors the call to renegotiate NAFTA...

"I'm against any trade deal that doesn't involve language that allows workers to organize and unionize and demand a living wage," said Garcia. "Both Republicans and Democrats have failed the American worker on these trade deals and I think that was a major reason why trump was able to win."

Garcia said he does not think that there is the political will to spend the vast resources that would be needed to deport undocumented immigrants or fund a wall. 

Rau said he sees nothing of Trump that he can get behind.

"I think will have to basically oppose what I call the Trump 'dark house" in every conceivable way I can because the lights are going out in the White House, the hope is leaving, and we're in for a very, very difficult period," said Rau.  

Rau said a lot of Trump's agenda would hurt the people who voted him into office, so there will be quick backlash.  Rau said he fears Trump will tear the country apart and his most concerned about possible shifts in energy and climate policies. 

WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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