Progressive Group Forms in Frankfort

FRANKFORT, IL - A new group of political activists has formed in the far south suburbs.

The Southwest Suburban Activists formed in Frankfort last weekend after charter members met for the first time at an International Women’s Day rally held in the town that’s considered to many as a conservative stronghold.

The group met for the first time on Sunday and decided to form a local organization “with a mission to resist the current administration” led by President Donald Trump, Diane Bruske, a founding member, said.

“We are a fledgling group of people from all walks of life,” Bruske said. “Most of us never having been active in politics or social issues in the past, who have been brought together by a rally and march held by Emily Biegel in Frankfort.”

Biegel’s march drew about 100 supporters of women’s rights on March 8. Many of the members met then and later official formed the activists' group at Biegel's home, Bruske said.

“What began as a rally turned into a march and has culminated in the founding of the ‘Southwest Suburban Activists,’ a community for equity, justice and progress.”

The group identifies its purpose as three-fold.

First, it’s to “create a community where progressives will feel emboldened and enabled to make surge.”

Related on Patch: ‘A Day Without a Woman’ March Withstands Resistance From Pro-Trump Crowd

Also, it’s to “use the creative power of a group of individuals to pressure our elected officials through peaceful actions, including (but not limited to), marches, phone calls, written letters and postcards, and visits to officials’ offices” and to demonstrate to other communities that Frankfort “is not the bastion of conservatism of its reputation, but has a growing, active number of residents who are welcoming of all races, the LGBTQ community, minority voices, and the belief that political decisions should be based on science and facts.”

Important issues for the group are identified as the “us versus them mentality - find some common ground,” equity and justice for all residents regardless of race, color or gender, women’s rights, sensitivity to Immigrant issues and to dispel “the media’s radicalization of Muslims.”

The next meeting of the Southwest Suburban Activists is scheduled for April 30. New members are welcome. Those interested can e-mail swsuburbanactivists@gmail.com.

Photo by Emily Biegel