We saw the report this morning (Jan. 21) in the electronic Wednesday Journal of the walkout of 200+ students at OPRF High School and we “elders” are so proud of these youngsters. It bodes well for our nation that so many of our youth are standing tall and ready to take on the negative forces that have been driving our great nation to new lows in world esteem and distraction. It gives us new hope that the perpetrators we now see destroying so much of our democracy and freedoms will be contained.
But we, Oak Park’s “very senior citizens” (median age 86+), had our own Free America Walk Out at 2 p.m., Jan. 20. We had expected 15-20, or fewer given the 18-degree temperature, but 62 of us showed up, with signs, whistles and pots and pans, to walk out of our warm and comfortable Brookdale apartments, with walkers, canes, and even wheelchairs, to stand along the street as traffic went in and out of the Trader Joe’s shopping area. We yelled and waved and most of the cars honked and beeped back. In the cold we only lasted about a half-hour but … it was great!
So, whether young or old, or somewhere in between, we all need to show our opposition to Mr. Trump, his wild policies, threats, tariffs, and temper tantrums. Say no to the Hegseths, Noems, Vances, Homans, and others he has named to rule over us. We all need to work to save our democracy and our nation. God Bless America!
Jeanné Schulte Matthews
Oak Park
