A political demonstration, dubbed the “Defend Democracy Rally,” took place Wednesday evening in downtown Eau Claire, organized by Chippewa Valley Indivisible. The event brought locals together in protest of a range of policies under the Trump Administration, including those related to Ukraine and Russia, USAID funding, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, LGBTQ+ rights, Elon Musk's DOGE, healthcare policies, and more.

Protesters expressed their concerns over government decisions they believe undermine equity, rights, and freedoms. Rally organizer, Cindy Greening, emphasized the collective power of individuals coming together to fight for change, stating, “America is a big blend of people. If everybody fights for their piece, it makes the whole puzzle come together.”

The demonstrations are set to continue weekly in front of the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in downtown Eau Claire, slated to occur every Wednesday from 4-5:30pm for the foreseeable future.  The rallies aim to provide a platform for people to voice their concerns and make a stand for their democratic values.