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JB Pritzker called for mass protests. Right-wing media falsely accused him of calling for violence.

Right-wing media falsely accused Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker of supporting violence against Republicans following his April 27 speech calling

Reed McMaster at MMFA:

Right-wing media falsely accused Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker of supporting violence against Republicans following his April 27 speech calling on Americans to protest congressional Republicans and the Trump administration.

Pritzker’s speech focused on the need for Americans to use their constitutional rights and demonstrate publicly against the Trump administration’s actions

Giving a speech in New Hampshire, Pritzker called for “mass protests” of the Trump administration and declared that Republicans “cannot know a moment of peace.” “It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once,” he added. “Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now.” He did not call for any violence, however, and instead declared that Republicans “must understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have.” [The Guardian, 4/28/25]

Pritzker specifically said he wanted Republicans to be called out verbally and voted out of office, without mention of violence. He said, “We must castigate them on the soap box and then punish them at the ballot box.” [YouTube, NBC Chicago, 4/27/25]

Pritzker’s endorsement of protest was the culmination of his speech detailing the Trump administration’s attacks on the economy and civil rights. The Democratic governor called for pushback against the Trump administration’s attacks on health care, federal workers, autistic people, and women and LGBTQ people in the military. [The Washington Post, 4/27/25]

The right to protest is protected under the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. As the American Civil Liberties Union explains, “The First Amendment protects your right to express yourself and to testify before, petition, and protest the many branches and agencies of the local and federal government.” [ACLU, 8/15/24]

The right-wing faux outrage machine went on overdrive this week, as they falsely accused Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker of making a call for “violence” against Republicans and the Trump Regime during a Sunday speech in front of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

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