Trump parade passes through Carbondale

Clarence Skurat (right) raises his fist for a photograph at the MAGA Trump Parade Nov. 2, 2024 at the Dillard’s parking lot in Marion, Illinois. Skurat said that securing the border, putting a stop to crime, and the economy were policy issues that were important to him this election. “I did vote for Trump. Always have and always will.”

Supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered in Marion on Saturday, Nov. 2, to travel in a caravan along Illinois 13 from Marion to the Honker Hill Winery in Carbondale, Illinois ahead of Tuesday’s upcoming presidential election between the former president and Vice President Kamala Harris. Supporters decorated their cars with flags and other advertisements for the Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. 
Leslie Jo Williams organized the event and advertised it on social media. She said that she organized it because it is the Saturday before the election. “Mike’s my cousin,” Williams said about Republican Congressman Mike Bost who spoke at the event. “I organized it for Mike, and obviously Trump.” Bost is up for reelection this Tuesday, running against Democratic candidate Brian Roberts in the 12th District race. 
Some people came to the event because they saw the cars and signs. “We didn’t know about the event,” Michael Gary said. “We were coming to run some errands in Marion, and we saw all the Trump supporters and the Trump stuff out. So, we just stopped over here to see what was going on and also to show our support.” 

Brandon Bock puts up a Trump flag in the back of his truck in preparation for the parade down Illinois 13 Nov. 2, 2024 at the Dillard’s parking lot in Marion, Illinois.

Jim Toller poses for a portrait Nov. 2, 2024 before the MAGA Trump Parade at the Dillard’s parking lot in Marion, Illinois.

Visitors to the event were not just unified over their support for Trump, but many also agreed on political issues that they felt were important to them, one of which was the economy. 
“It’s cost of living. I think that’s the most important,” Illinois Rep. Paul Jacobs of the 118th district said. “Four years ago we were able to afford gas,” Bost said. “Gas was cheaper because we were energy independent.”
Jim Toller also shared this concern about the economy. “I mean it affects everybody,” he said. Many said that this was one of the reasons that they were voting for Trump. Tracy Newman said, “I was better off when Trump was in office than I am now.” 

State Rep. Paul Jacobs (right) speaks at the MAGA Trump Parade Nov. 2, 2024 at the Dillard’s parking lot in Marion, Illinois.

Elliot Bock waves a flag with his family at the MAGA Trump Parade Nov. 2, 2024 at the Dillard’s parking lot in Marion, Illinois.

Many also expressed concern over the Mexican border. “We’ve got to close that border,” Williams said. Clarence Skurat also said that securing the border was important to him to put a stop to crime. 
Also, some expressed a concern about religious freedom.  “I think continued religious freedom is extremely important,” Mallory Gary said. She said that she and her husband Michael Gary were “conservative, born-again Christians.” 
“I believe that when we look at this from a biblical perspective, this election and the outcomes of it have biblical ramifications if we don’t vote in accordance to the scriptures,” Mallory Gary said. 
Regardless of their reasons, everyone interviewed made their support for former President Trump clear. “We love Trump,” Toller said.
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