IGOLD Concealed carry rally, Springfield IL

[floorit76]

March 7th is this years IGOLD rally in Springfield IL! People are asked to assemble at the Prarie Capital Convention Center by 11:45 a.m. Bus transport is available from many areas. More info at www.igold.isra.org or Ph 815-635-3198.
My wife and I have gone for several years. It is a fun day that starts with several speakers at the convention center. Followed by a march to the state capital building, and a rally on the front steps. You are then asked to enter the capital comlex, and to hand deliver signed cards (supplied at the convention center) to each of your reps and senators, the Speaker of the house, etc. We are allowed to use the tunnels under the complex to get around. It is a fun day, and you get to see the inner workings at the capital. Last year we had nearly 5000 people, please come add to that number. It will be especially helpful this year with Mayor Emmanuels BS anti gun proposal circulating.

 

[floorit76]

More info.

When &
Where: Begins Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 11:30am
Starting Location:
10:45:00 am - Prairie Capital Convention Center - Doors open - View Map
Located at the corner of 8th St & Adams.
12:00 pm - Prairie Capital Convention Center - Legislative Briefing
1:00 pm - Head out to lobby Senators and Representatives at the State Capitol.
respectfully make our presence known in
committee hearings that are in session
4:00 pm - Return to Prairie Capital Convention Center for wrap-up session
5:00 pm - Bus riders board for home
Parking: Several parking garages are located near the Convention Center.
Metered on-street parking is available in the area.
The meters accept quarters for up to a 9 hour period.
More parking locations and a printable map available soon.
Better Travel:

Bus Info
Forget the hassle of parking near the Capitol! IGOLD will have buses going to Springfield from strategic locations throughout Illinois. Ride the bus, ride with your friends. This year there are additional buses in the Chicago area.

These gun rights organizations and retailers are sponsoring the buses to offset your cost:
TBD

IllinoisCarry.com has made flyers for each bus route and they are listed with the bus info. Print and post in your local club, shop, range!

Need more info now, or want to sponsor a bus? Contact the ISRA Office! On-line sign up will be available for most buses.
Take the Train! Amtrak has trains to and from Springfield and selected cities in Illinois along a line from Chicago to St. Louis. More info here.
Apparel: Wear whatever you'd feel comfortable in while you are meeting your representatives, and don't forget you'll also be representing the rest of your fellow Illinois gun owners. Business casual is suggested, dress up if you want. We suggest that you don't wear any camo.
Security: There are metal detectors in the Capitol Building that you will have to pass through on your way in, so please think ahead for this: no knives, novelty ammo keyfobs, etc. Bring proper identification.
Who: You, of course! ...and bring a friend. Even Better: bring two friends!

 

[floorit76]

I see that I grabbed the "Activism discusion" forum instead of just "activism". Sorry mods, please move as you see fit.

 

[floorit76]

This is coming up this week! If you haven't made arrangements you better get started. With all the BS legislation pending, we really need to get out there this year.

 

[floorit76]

Anybody?

 

[50 cal]

I'll be there. This is my first trip. I wanted to go last year but my work schedule was to demanding. I would love to see at least 20-30,000 people there considering there are 1.5 million gun owners in illinois,but that probably won't happen

 

[floorit76]

Ya, I would too. But we can barely get the people here to take notice, and it's wall to wall gun nuts. I think we MAY break 5000 this year, but I won't get my hopes up.

 

[floorit76]

 

[JTHunter]

Here are some more.
Time sequence is "Marchers", "To the Steps", "At the Steps", and "Still Coming!".

 

[JTHunter]

Here's one more that I couldn't load on the last post.
These are certain politicians speaking on the Lincoln Steps before we go into the Capitol Building and other offices.

And here is a clip from "Hunt for Red October" where Richard Jordan makes a perfect definition of a "politician"! (It's in the first 30 seconds.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGnZognK3Oc

 

[Dewey 68]

Looks like a good turnout, how did it compare to previous years? Sorry I couldn't make it.

 

[4thestars]

It was a great turnout. My first year to go, so I can't compare myself. But the organizers said it was the biggest so far! It was pretty windy, but otherwise the weather was great.

I was marching near the front. When we got to the steps I looked back and simply could not believe how many people there were still approaching. I hope I get to go next year.

 

[JTHunter]

As a first-timer, I had no basis to judge numbers. But, as 4thestars said, after we marched to the Lincoln Steps, there were a large number of people already there (see the two middle pictures above taken less than 3 minutes apart), then I turned to look back and there was a huge crowd still coming, stretching back 2-3 long city blocks, almost filling that 4-lane road!

The Ill. State Rifle Assoc. (isra.org) had copies of their quarterly newspaper there with pictures from 2011 with an estimated 6,000 marchers. Several of the volunteer parade marshalls were overheard commenting that this year's group appeared to the biggest yet.