As COVID-19 mandates grow, so do the protests.
An anti-vaccine/anti-mandate rally with dozens of supporters was held in Springfield on Saturday, Oct. 2.
The protest was called, “Take a Stand Against COVID-19 Tyranny.”
They were fired up by speakers to kick off the rally on the steps of the Capitol building.
"I really believe with all my heart, that we're all here for the right reason,” said Allison Salinas, organizer of the rally.
Salinas is also running for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2022.
The closing speaker, Nick Fuentes, a far-right activist, gave them more momentum before they all left; making it well known there is no way he is getting a vaccine.
"They are going to knock my door down, kill my dog and shoot me before I take a COVID-19 vaccine,” Fuentes said.
In the middle of it all, protestors chanted
"If we don't stand up now, they'll keep pushing this and they'll go further and further and eventually it'll be too late,” one protestor said.
They all came to share the same message: "people have the freedom to resist the vaccine. If you don't want it, you don't have to get it,” another protestor said.
Protestors said they won't resist; they'll keep fighting against a vaccine mandate.
"We can and we will stand for what is right, and true and good in our country,” said Kathy Freeman, a speaker at the rally.
Sangamon County and the state of Illinois both have a vaccination rate of 55%.