THE Daily Egyptian
Trump supporters, foes descend on arctic DC as inauguration festivities move indoors
out upon the
swearing-in ceremony from a livestream after frigid temperatures moved the
to get to the arena in hopes to get indoors as he did the day prior for the
Southern Illinois goes east: Rep. Bost hosts inauguration reception in capital city
Carly Gist @Gistofthestory
Snow, hail and rain were present in Washington, D.C., Sunday, but that didn’t stop szouthern Illinois residents from making the trek to the nation’s capital for Presidentelect Donald Trump’s second inauguration. While Trump hosted a rally inside of Capital One Arena, Illinois Congressman Mike Bost held a “Welcome Southern Illinois” Reception in the House Committee of Veterans’ Affairs Hearing Room.
“Bringing as many people as we brought from my district in Illinois…we thought this would be a good stop off…Inaugural’s tomorrow so a lot of receptions are held all over the place,” Bost told the Daily Egyptian.
Jackie Cox, who used to teach at SIU’s School of Education, left
Carbondale Thursday evening with her husband, Richard Cox, to drive to Washington, D.C. This is the second inauguration they’ve attended, and it will probably be the last due to their age, they said. But as supporters of Trump, they wanted to make the journey.
“I absolutely adore Trump more than any president we have because I feel he loves America,” Richard Cox said. “Yeah I know there’s a controversy that 50% we know love him, and I adore him. And I’ve met him a couple times in business deals, which was great, and I think that he’s very egocentric. He loves himself, and the only thing he’s gaining is helping us, because he wants to go out – ‘cause I’ve read all his books of his family from grandpa on – and he wants to be the best and he wants to change America to love the people.
‘Cause he’s only been successful because the people have chose him in business.”
Robb Bute, who is an instructor of auto collision technology, said he felt it was “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to be a part of the event. He drove from Harrisburg to St. Louis to catch a flight to Washington, D.C. While his group had tickets for the Inaugural Ceremony prior to the event moving indoors, he said attending didn’t matter to them. “We wanted to be here regardless. Just being here, a part of it, it’s enough,” he said.
As a resident of Illinois, Bute said he felt it was important to show up in support of not just Trump, but his state and representative as well.
“Mike (Bost) does a very good job in what he does with veterans and
CAPITAL CITY | 2
‘We have to be in action’: Activists rally in DC on Martin Luther King Day as holiday overlaps with Inauguration Day
Carly Gist
Dominique martinez-Powell will elliott
@Gistofthestory
@D martinezPhoto welliott@DailyeGyPtian Com
With a day off of work, Ossie Williams traveled 20-plus hours from Texas to Washington, D.C. While thousands of Americans gathered at the Capital One Arena for the second inauguration of President Donald Trump Monday morning, Williams stood alone in front of the Stone of Hope at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
“I’m here visiting the MLK monument today because of the actual holiday…and to celebrate just his legacy and his life,” Williams said.
For the third time in history, Inauguration Day has fall on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, bringing
thousands of people to the nation’s capital. But King’s memorial was nearly empty around 8:30, and Williams was one of just a few attendees. While she visited King’s memorial once before, this was her first opportunity to see it on his holiday, she said.
“I hope that people continue to honor his life and his legacy,” she said. Shortly after Williams showed up, Brett Scott arrived from Virginia with his mother. He placed flowers in front of the memorial with a card that read, “Thank you for dedicating your life for the betterment of all people and discouraging the use of violence.” Scott said he visited the memorial “to go and cherish” the works of King, and that it felt “great” to be there. Originally, the National Action Network (NAN), one of the nation’s
HOLIDAY OVERLAPS 4
David Kreutz looks
line of Trump supporters that wind down the street, all waiting to get into Capital One Arena early in the morning Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C., to view the
ceremony indoors. Kreutz, wearing a large Donald Trump-themed cowboy hat and flag, took the first train out at 5 a.m.
Make America Great Again Victory Rally. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
everything from southern Illinois so we support him and this is just our way of being here to be a part of that,” he said.
Bost serves as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The position allowed him to host the event in their new room, which is two years old, he said.
“It also gave us an opportunity to reach out to those people not only with southern Illinois, but there’s people from all over Illinois and some from all over the nation that actually have things that are involved with the VA,” he said.
René Mallender, who is a resident of Ellis Grove, Illinois, also attended the reception in support of Bost. “I’ve known Mike Bost since the late ‘90s when he first started running, and I’m a big supporter,” she said. “I’m actually a widow of a disabled veteran through the VA, so I realize more than anybody what he does for the veterans in our area.”
At the reception, guests were provided with refreshments and television screens broadcasting
Trump’s Make America Great Again rally. Several SIU students were in the crowd, including Kylie Martin, an exercise science major who said the opportunity was something she
and her group thought they had to jump on. Since the swearing-in ceremony was closed to the public due to inclement weather, her plans for Monday remain uncertain.
“We went to a ball last night, and that was like the only guaranteed thing that we could go to since everything’s been moved indoors, so we’re not really sure what’s going to happen tomorrow, we’ll probably be here watching it in Mike’s office,” she said.
Halfway through the event, Bost announced only he and his wife would be able to enter the Capitol Rotunda for the inauguration, and offered alternatives for those who were looking to attend the ceremony. “I know many of you have heard about the stadium that will be open if you want to go there. But if you don’t want to go there, and you’re looking for a good place to watch it, come back here, okay? We’ll have all the screens on, so we’ll watch it in here.
It will be nice.”
Phillip Hartke and Samuel Faciano, industrial management and applied engineering majors at SIU, flew out
of Chicago to the capital Monday morning. Hartke said a member of their fraternity had received a few spare tickets from a friend and offered them out at a meeting, allowing them to attend their first inauguration.
“It was super late notice, so it happened that just me and (Faciano) were able to make it,” he said. “And since we were able to make it, I mean we said, this is something that’s just historic, we’ll be able to tell our kids about it, and, you know, maybe, I don’t know what to expect. And then they canceled it and did all this crazy stuff but we came anyway.”
Faciano said their plans following the inauguration include visiting a cathedral and the Washington Monument. Hartke said that on Inauguration Day, he is looking forward to seeing “the interaction between the different crowds of people – the protestors, counter protestors, and just kind of observe the huge crowds and the cultural impact of everything that’s gone on.”
“I mean, starting in 2014, 2015 when Trump first started doing stuff, I’m a guy who really likes to look at
history and study things and it’s crazy to see how much it has developed and changed and how kind of powerful it is,” he said. “It’s a moment in history to witness.”
Hartke said he used to intern with Bost, which is how they found out about the ceremony. “It’s like, small world, you know? I didn’t expect to see anybody I recognize when I walked in here, and it’s just cool.”
Illinois Sen. Terri Bryant, who lives in Murphysboro, was also present at the reception. While she has visited the capital before, this is her first presidential inauguration, and she said the southern Illinois turnout is “fantastic.”
“We went to the Midwest Ball last night. Great representation there from Illinois in general but definitely from southern Illinois,” she said. “There’s a big group here from Randolph County, so basically Chester area, and I had breakfast with them yesterday morning, so they came over to the hotel we’re staying in, and for a lot of them it was their first trip to D.C., and so it’s just been super exciting to see. I mean, you know, most of the people who are here…they’re not uber wealthy…In other countries, those are the only people that have access to something like this. Here, we all get to have access and we get to watch the transfer of power.”
In addition to accessibility, Bryant praised the United States for another reason: She said she feels it is the only country to consistently have a peaceful transfer of government.
“So maybe it’s the same person two cycles in a row but there is a handoff – no matter what anybody says about Jan. 6 – we still had a peaceful transfer of government on Inauguration Day,” she said. “And to get to be here, and whether we’re actually standing in the room where it happens or not, whether we’re watching it on TV, the vibe here in D.C. is just awesome.”
News editor Carly Gist can be reached by email at cgist@dailyegyptian.com or on Instagram @gistofthestory.
Congressman Mike Bost speaks in front of visitors to the Welcome Southern Illinois Reception, while Trump’s Rally at Capital One Arena plays on the television Jan. 19, 2025 at the Cannon House in Washington D.C. Enan Chediak | @enanchediak
Congressman Mike Bost, a Republican from Murphysboro, smiles after an interview with the Daily Egyptian during the Welcome Southern Illinois Reception Jan. 19, 2025 at the Cannon House in Washington, D.C. Enan Chediak | @enanchediak
A group of southern Illinois community members gather in the hallway outside of Congressman Mike Bost’s Welcome Southern Illinois Inaugural Reception Jan. 19, 2025 at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Carly Gist | @gistofthestory
How Illinois’ Legal Marijuana Boom Has Changed Carbondale
i. EstrAdA JournAlism 419
In a modest shop lined with glass cases and shelves of colorful pipes, vapes and accessories, Jacob Buckman recalls the leap of faith he took back in 2019 when he opened Legal Smile in Carbondale.
His journey into the cannabis industry began years earlier out west, hundreds of miles away from this small college town.
“I started in the cannabis industry in about 2014,” he said. “I was in Arizona and Oregon during those times, learning the ropes and growing with the industry.” His experience in those pioneering states gave him a solid foundation, but in 2019, he reached a crossroads.
“It was either continue growing in the industry out there in Oregon or take a gamble and see if Carbondale needed a head shop,” Buckman said. “With legalization just around the corner, we decided to go for it.”
It was a big gamble, he said, “to see how a head shop would be received in Carbondale.”
Fast-forward to today: Legal Smile is thriving, with three locations scattered across the region. As the company says on its website, Legal Smile has “spread the smoke across Southern Illinois” expanding from Carbondale into Marion and Harrisburg.
In 2020, the introduction of legal recreational marijuana brought major changes to rural towns like Carbondale, sparking business growth, adjustments in law enforcement, and boosting the economy. As corporate names like Consume and LOVA expanded their reach, small, independently-owned shops like Legal Smile, Gro Up, and Hemp n Stuff Head Shop had to carve out their niches. But they’re finding success alongside corporate stores, especially with rising interest in home growing and growing public acceptance of recreational marijuana.
Corporate dispensaries vs. small businesses
The legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois opened doors for large corporate dispensaries like Consume and LOVA, which quickly established a foothold in Carbondale. Armed with substantial capital, these corporations brought extensive resources to the table— marketing campaigns, diverse product offerings, and a streamlined approach to compliance. For smaller businesses like Gro Up and Legal Smile, the challenges have been different. Both businesses focus on supporting home growers and cannabis users in ways that corporate dispensaries cannot.
“We’re an indoor, outdoor gardening center,” Nathan Schmidgall explained, describing Gro Up’s role as more than just a retail operation. “Obviously, you can grow whatever you want. I don’t know all the plants out there. I learn every day.”
While Gro Up doesn’t sell cannabis, it provides the tools and knowledge for home growers to cultivate their own plants legally, along with resources for food gardening and sustainable living. Schmidgall’s journey with Gro Up started long before legalization. After moving back
to Illinois in 2011, he faced prosecution for cannabis possession despite holding a medical card in Colorado.
“I had my legal limit, but I was not in Colorado,” Schmidgall said. “So that was a felony.” This experience shaped his commitment to advocacy and education.
“I’ll teach other people how to grow,” he decided, opening his first location in Pekin, Illinois, in 2011.
When Illinois legalized recreational marijuana, Gro Up saw an opportunity to expand its mission, opening locations in Carbondale, Champaign, and Cape Girardeau. But Schmidgall emphasized the challenges of operating in an environment dominated by corporate dispensaries.
“To be cannabis-focused is a tough environment,” he said. “We give discounts to medical cardholders and focus on education, but the misconceptions about home growing make it tricky.”
Both businesses also highlight the misconceptions surrounding home growing. One major misconception, Schmidgall explained, is that growing cannabis at home is fully legal for everyone in Illinois, which it’s not.
“A lot of people think it’s 100% legal and they can do whatever they want,” he said. “But Illinois still has strict rules—it has to be under lock and key, and not everyone is allowed to grow.”
Legal Smile, owned by Buckman, faces similar challenges. While the business cannot sell cannabis directly, it provides the accessories and tools needed for its use—pipes, vapes, and other essentials.
“Corporate places like Consume are here to sell cannabis, but they also sell the same stuff we sell,” Buckman said, emphasizing the competition smaller businesses face from large dispensaries.
Despite the hurdles, Gro Up remains committed to empowering local growers.
Whether it’s helping customers start small with seasonal lights or setting up a fullscale indoor garden, Schmidgall’s mission has always been clear: “We’re here to support the community and help people
grow—not just cannabis, but food and sustainable solutions.”
For small businesses like Legal Smiles, the benefits of legalization extend beyond financial gains. The shop has established three thriving locations in Southern Illinois, creating jobs and serving community needs. Their success highlights the broader economic impact of cannabis legalization on small-town economies, providing a much-needed boost for local entrepreneurs and their communities.
Customer Nathan Tyler is a testament to Legal Smile’s communityfocused approach. “It’s just a welcoming atmosphere. I just feel like not really judged or rushed in ways that I might be in other stores,” Tyler said.
As someone who describes himself as “socially awkward,” he appreciates the environment Legal Smile has cultivated, adding, “Anything that dampens that or kind of makes me feel welcome, I’m more likely to come back.”
Tyler said the knowledgeable staff and unique product offerings set the shop apart. “Obviously, the grow supplies— that’s a big one,” he said. “There’s not a lot of vape shops where you can buy soil for your garden or whatever you’re growing, whether it’s cannabis or vegetables. They carry whatever you need for your grow method.”
Tyler also emphasized the role of the staff in creating a positive experience.
“Five stars out of 10,” he joked before clarifying, “It’s really the people that keep me coming back. You can buy a vape anywhere, but if it wasn’t for the cool, welcoming people here, I wouldn’t go out of my way—but I do.”
As the cannabis industry evolves, Tyler reflected on the challenges and changes brought by legalization. “I’d like to say it’s been a bunch of new stores opening up left and right, but the state is so restrictive in their home grown laws and who can start a business that it’s really not as satisfying as I’d hoped,” he said. He noted
the bureaucracy and barriers to entry that have limited access to the market for many potential small business owners.
Despite these setbacks, Tyler remains hopeful for the future. “Hopefully, it seems to be maybe going in the right direction. I just heard of a craft grow that might be opening in Carbondale,” he said.
The optimism extends to Legal Smile’s leadership, who continue to see potential for growth through education and community engagement. As discussions around expanding industry offerings such as smoke lounges gain traction, the shop’s commitment to its roots stands as a reminder of the power of small businesses in shaping the future of Carbondale’s cannabis culture.
Big economic impact on Carbondale
Legal marijuana has brought a significant economic boost to
AmiliA
Nathan Tyler lingers for a chat with Legal Smile employee Ethan Mundy, sharing stories and laughter Oct. 30, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Amilia I. Estrada
Nathan Tyler, a regular at Legal Smile, exchanges a friendly smile with employee Ethan Mundy as he selects a new vape product.
leading civil rights organizations, planned to host a march at the memorial. It would kick off their MLK Day Rally, with demonstrators marching from the monument to the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church for a sermon delivered by NAN Founder and President the Rev. Al Sharpton. Due to low temperatures, the march was canceled, but the rally continued, and with a full house attending.
The service took place around the same time Trump was sworn into office. He later delivered an inaugural address, where he announced he would sign an executive order to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the federal government.
“This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based,” he said.
Sharpton addressed Trump’s plans in his sermon, announcing an initiative to identify and boycott companies that eliminate DEI policies.
“Why do we have DEI? We have DEI because you denied us diversity, you denied us equity, you denied us inclusion,” Sharpton said.
Sharpton said DEI initiatives were a remedy to institutionalized racism in academic and business settings. “Now, if you want to put us back in the back of the bus, we gonna do the Dr. King-Rosa Parks on you. You must have forgotten who we are. We are the ones that you took everything from, and we are still here.”
In Trump’s speech, he also said, “Today is Martin Luther King Day. And his honor — this will be a great honor. But in his honor, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true.”
During the NAN rally, Sharpton said, “Trump talking about he wants to build a society of color blind; Dr. King told us to be proud of who we are. Why do we have to be color blind? No. We can acknowledge each other’s color and treat each other equal.”
He later told reporters, “You can’t hope to keep the dream alive then say that you’re gonna end DEI by the end of the week. You can’t say you want to keep the dream alive then pardon people that violently tried to (attack) the Capitol…So he either needs to read Dr. King’s book before he talks about it or read some of his work.”
In addition to Sharpton’s sermon, the rally featured performances from the church’s choir and words from several prominent activists, including:
• Jennifer Jones Austin, board vice chair of NAN
• The Rev. Lawrence Aker, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church
• The Rev. Cozette Thomas, executive minister of Metropolitan AME Church
• Ebonie Riley, senior vice president of NAN
Ossie Williams stands for a portrait in front of Stone of Hope Memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 20, 2025 at Memorial Park in Washington, D.C. Williams said that she traveled from Texas alone on one of her days off to see the monument, celebrate and honor King during MLK Day.
Dominique Martinez-Powell | @d.martinezphoto
• Alphonso David, president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum
• Tara Murray, executive director of the National Urban League’s Washington Bureau
• The Rev. Marshall Hatch, chair of Chicago’s chapter of the NAN
When Jones Austin took the stage prior to Sharpton’s sermon, she said, “Nearly 57 years ago, on the eve of his assassination, Dr. King stood before a crowd of community members and faith leaders gathered at the Mason Temple in Memphis, like we’re gathered today, speaking about the enduring fight for economic justice for Black Americans and the hostility and violence they’d faced…Dr. King declared, ‘Well I don’t know what happens now, we’ve got some difficult days ahead.’
“On this King Day, this King Day in particular, we are again reminded that we’ve got some difficult days ahead. With Rev. Sharpton and NAN leading the way, not only are we still in the fight for civil and human rights and for economic justice and security, but now we are in the fight to hold on to the great strides that were made by Dr. King and his comrades. Difficult days ahead, and how we should up and respond will make all the difference in this moment and in the years to come.”
After the rally, several attendees hung around
the church, taking photos and chatting with one another. Justin Blake, uncle of Jacob Blake – a Black man who was paralyzed in 2020 after a white police officer shot him seven times in the back in Kenosha, Wisconsin – stood outside, waving the African American flag.
“We’re out here ‘cause Uncle Al (Sharpton) used to…come all over the country and support us and we came up here to support Rev. Al and to hear what’s the agenda for us,” Blake said. “We know what the orange face agenda is. What’s our agenda; what we gonna do? So we came here today, we heard it amongst thousands, and we got our march in order, now we’re gonna take it home and apply it.”
Blake said he traveled to the district from the Midwest with Leonard Peltier’s family. Peltier is an Indigenous activist who served around 50 years in prison after being convicted of the murder of two FBI agents in 1975; a crime for which he has maintained his innocence. On Monday, President Joe Biden commuted Peltier’s sentence, announcing in a press release it would allow Peltier, who is suffering from health issues, to spend his final days in home confinement.
Charlotte Loonsfoot, who is also Native American, said she can’t wait to welcome Peltier home. While she said attending the rally raised her spirits, she also expressed concerns about
Inauguration Day. She worries about what Trump’s second term will mean for the future of her community, as she works to protect reservations from mining operations.
“I’m just worried about (how) he’s the only one who can remove us from our reservations and replace us other places,” she said. “And we’re fighting a huge mine up there right now in Michigan and Minnesota and I don’t know how his stance is on mining, but it’s gonna ruin Lake Superior, and so I’m (a) water protector and I’m up there and I’m gonna put up a good fight.”
Several residents of Washington, D.C., were also in attendance. Alexa Donaphin, who went to school in the District, said she attended the event because she felt “we have to do something” about the state of the new administration.
“We have to be in action,” she said. “I protested in 2017 when Donald Trump was elected and on that I came for the Women’s March. In fact, I marched in New York just this past Saturday (for the People’s March) and I’m down here today.”
She said she believes it is “very important for us to be in action.”
“We can’t be complacent,” she said. “We can’t give up. I grew up in the segregated South. I know what it’s like to drink out of a colored water fountain. And I fought my whole life, it seems like. And I’m still fighting with all this gray hair; still fighting after all these years. And I’m not giving up. And I’m not giving in because to give in is complacency. That’s not what Dr. King would want us to do. And so in honor of him today, I have to be here because I have to be in action. I have to do something that shows solidarity for people everywhere. Not just Black lives matter. All lives matter, human rights matter, women’s rights matter, trans rights, all rights matter. And we have to stand up against injustice. We have to stand up against oppression and oligarchy. And that’s what this is. It’s a huge setback for our nation to have a criminal at the helm and to have oligarchs like (Elon) Musk as walking the dog, and so I can’t be anywhere else today.”
She described the inauguration and MLK Day overlapping as “profound,” as it calls attention to the differing actions and beliefs of the administration and human rights activists, she said.
“I feel like I’m honoring Dr. King by being here and I feel that I’m doing what, had he been here, he would be pushing back, standing up and standing strong because when we do fight, we can win and justice is going to ultimately be served,” she said.
News editor Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@ dailyegyptian.com. Student Managing editor Dominique Martinez-Powell can be reached at dmartinezpowell@dailyegyptian.com Staff videographer Will Elliott can be reached at welliott@dailyegypitan.com
City council moves forward with hiring new city manager
Morrigan Carey MCarey@dailyegyptian CoM
At their meeting on Jan. 14, Carbondale City Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Carolin Harvey to negotiate a contract with a new city manager.
There are three candidates being considered for the position, but the mayor’s office has not disclosed if a final candidate has been selected.
The candidates are Stan Reno, current Carbondale chief of police and interim city manager following
Gary Williams’ retirement from the position in March 2024, as well as Shawn Metcalf and Thomas Thomas, who have both served as city managers and similar positions in other cities.
A timeline for this process has not been given.
The Daily Egyptian will continue to follow this case as it develops.
Staff reporter Morrigan Carey can be reached at mcarey@dailyegyptian.com.
Shawn Metcalf
Photo provided by Shawn Metcalf
Thomas Thomas Photo provided by Thomas Thomas
Stan Reno Photo provided by Stan Reno
Inauguration attendees walk the red, white and blue carpet
Enan ChEdiak
LyLEE Gibbs
@EnanChEdiak
@LyLEEGibbsphoto
The bitter cold that moved the inauguration events for Donald Trump’s second term indoors didn’t stop those attending from wearing creative-themed apparel like gold chains, red hats and bursts of red white and blue to fill the lines and streets of Washington, D.C. Supporters sported hand-painted and curated costumes for the celebrations.
Michelle Krier traveled a little over three hours from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to attend the Inauguration with her husband, Ronald. She walked through the rainy evening on the inauguration eve wearing an American flag-patterned cowboy hat and earrings, while Brandon Reil wore an American flag jacket and face paint as he walked through the line to Capital One Arena, waiting to get inside to view the inaugural live stream. Tens of thousands of Trump supporters dressed in similar fashions.
Merchandise tables gave visitors the opportunity to add to their fashion on-scene from vendors who set up shop outside of the line to the arena. Fred Basserman of Connecticut walked up and down the line to the arena pulling a wooden cart covered in hats, pins and beanies to be purchased.
Although the spirits were high in the line, the outlook was not perfect for everyone. Thousands would be turned away from entering the arena when it reached capacity and many
prohibited items were abandoned at the Capital One Arena’s doors.
A group of southern Illinoians found a solution and gathered for a private viewing of Trump’s Make America Great Again Victory Rally and his inauguration. Richard Cox,
Congressman Mike Bost’s wife’s cousin, wore a pair of tall, fuzzy socks with Trump’s face and hair on them. Bost also gave out commemorative badges, cups, and wine glasses. Another attendee, who asked to be referred to as René, wore a Trump badge and had her nails painted red white and blue for the weekend.
Photo editor Enan Chediak can be reached at echediak@dailyegyptian.com. Editor-in-Chief Lylee Gibbs can be reached at lgibbs@dailyegyptian.com
Atir Sveska of Greenville, South Carolina wears a hand-painted red white and blue cowboy hat along with a poncho in the cold, winter weather on the eve of the inauguration Jan. 19, 2025 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Sveska drove nearly eight hours and arrived in D.C. on Saturday, Jan. 18 to show support of President-elect Donald Trump. “I love Donald Trump, I love what he’s done for our country,” she said. “I love America first policies and taking care of our own people before we take care of others.” Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Josh Sullivan wears a Make America Great Again hat Jan. 19, 2025 at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Red rubber boots with ‘Trump 2024’ stickers are worn by supporter JR Norris from North Carolina Jan. 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Norris waited in line to enter the Make America Great Again Victory Rally held on the eve of the inauguration along with several thousands of people. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Brandon Reil, wearing an American flag jacket and face paint, walks through the line with tens of thousands of Trump supporters to the Capital One Arena Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Reil came from Pennsylvania to attend
Trump supporters wait in frigid weather and move through the line to enter the Capital One Arena where a live stream of the swearing-in ceremony was shown Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Lylee Gibbs @lyleegibbsphoto
Rebecca Belltran scales a barrier to use a port-apotty, after waiting in line for 4 hours at the Capital One arena Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Belltran said that she drove from Connecticut to attend the live viewing of the swearing-in ceremony at the arena. Enan Chediak @enanchediak
We Fight Back protests Trump agenda in march
“Down! Down with occupation! Up! Up with liberation!” and chants alike were shouted by protestors as they marched down 16th Street during the We Fight Back protest Jan. 20, 2025 that went from Meridian Hill Park to DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C. This protest was one of many that We Fight Back put together throughout the United States. According to their website wefightback2025.org, the organization stands for, “women’s rights, worker’s rights, immigrant rights and ‘money for people’s needs, not the war machine.’”
“The Trump victory in the 2024 election represents the complete failure of the Democratic Party to stop the rise of the ultra-right, but we can defeat the Trump program,” their website reads.
Protesters at this event stood and advocated for social and political issues, many individuals speaking to the crowd before the march at the Meridian Hill Park where brief live music was played to kick off the event.
Washington, D.C. resident Bryan Simmons and his daughter Cielo Simmons visited the park with their family and said that they came for the live music and the march.
The event attracted attendees from all over the United States. Alex
Brown said that they traveled from Indianapolis to support their friend who made a large, prop guillotine float for the march. They wore a pride flag over their shoulder as they helped push the float into the Meridian Park Hill, while another protester with them carried a sign that read, “One people divided into two: rich white people vs. all of us.”
“We want to show off this thing as much as we can,” Brown said.
Others who joined the protest came to stand for LGBTQ+ and trans rights. A protester who asked to be referred to as Cheese stood on a stone pillar and held a trans flag in the cold midday wind. “I’m marching for trans rights,” she said.
“I care about everyone.”
Others came to stand for Filipino political issues. Julie Jamora is part of the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Malaya Movement who came to the protest with a cardboard effigy of Trump.
“We built this effigy of Trump to represent the incoming fascism that our community is bracing for,” Jamora said. “We lived under the first Trump administration and particularly for the Filipino community we are concerned about his anti-immigrant policies.”
Connecticut native, Fred Basserman, sells trump-themed merchandise from his cart in the street to visitors who are waiting in line in hopes of attending the live viewing of the swearing-in ceremony Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Enan Chediak | @enanchediak
Trump supporters endure cold weather conditions: thousands turned away from arena
Enan ChEdiak @EnanChEdiak
Thousands of supporters for Donald Trump came to the Capital One Arena in hopes of finding a seat to watch the live viewing of the swearing-in ceremony on Inauguration Day Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
The arena has a capacity of 20,356. Seating was not assigned for the inauguration viewing, and people were seated on a firstcome first-serve basis. Because of this, many people who had been standing in line since early morning
for hours were turned away once the arena was at capacity.
In the morning, the line moved slowly. Vendors and journalists walked alongside the barriers that guided the line to the arena. Many vendors sold various Trump-themed merchandise as well as winter weather articles like hand warmers for the low 20 degree day. Fred Basserman came from Connecticut to take to the streets on Inauguration Day and sell his merchandise. People also wore various articles of clothing that showed their support for President Trump. Hats, beanies, jackets, scarves, pants, shirts, and other themed articles of clothing painted the crowd red, white and blue. Many attendees made their own clothing in support of Trump’s inauguration. Thousands of people continued to wait in line for hours despite the possibility that the arena would reach capacity. David Kreutz said that he had been out since 5:30 Monday morning in hopes to make it into the arena. He also attended the Make America Great Again Rally that took place in the Capital One arena the day before
on Jan. 19, 2025. Rebecca Belltran said that she had been in line for four hours; Brandon Reil said he’d been in line for a couple of hours as well. Reil traveled three hours from Pennsylvania to attend the inauguration. Despite their patience, many of these individuals, waiting in line, were turned away and had to adjust their travel plans on Inauguration day in Washington, D.C.
Photo editor Enan Chediak can be reached at echediak@dailyegyptian.com
Circle in Washington, D.C. Enan Chediak | @enanchediak
Among many others, these rallying points could be heard from protesters during their march and were displayed on banners, signs, and flags for the people of Washington, D.C., and the world.
editor Enan Chediak can be reached at echediak@dailyegyptian.com. Editor-in-Chief Lylee Gibbs can be reached at lgibbs@dailyegyptian.com
In a statement about the 2024 election results titled “Prepare to Fight Facism!,” the Malaya Movement website said, “Malaya Movement USA is one of the proud organizers of the FilipinoAmerican Agenda, an agenda entirely written by FilipinoAmericans and immigrants who are first-hand experiencing issues of anti-Asian violence, anti-immigrant discrimination, severe economic and housing insecurity, and much more.”
Photo
Pomp and Circumstance
– and bitter cold
LyLee Gibbs @LyLeeGibbsphoto
The bitter cold was not the only thing to sweep the streets of Washington, D.C., as supporters and foes of President Donald Trump flocked to the nation’s capital for the inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. It’s not the first time they’ve shown up in numbers with Trump making history as the second only nonconsecutive second-term president, following Grover Cleveland who served 1885 to 1889 and 1893 to 1897. This time around, the swearing-in ceremony moved indoors leaving
hundreds of thousands of ticket holders without a way to view the ceremony in person. Capital One Arena in downtown Washington opened its doors on a first-come first-serve basis and a line snaked through the streets filled with red hats and support. Many in the line opted to celebrate in the freezing temperatures, rain and snow that hit the area through the weekend. The series of rare occurrences continued as Martin Luther King Jr. Day fell on the inauguration – the last being President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in January 1997. The Metropolitan
African Methodist Episcopal Church held a rally and march to honor Martin Luther King Jr. The crowds were not limited to supporters. As Trump raised his right hand to become the 47th president of the United States in the warmth of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, hundreds of people stood atop Meridian Hill Park on a blanket of snow and ice to protest against Trump’s agenda before marching down 16th Street.
Editor-in-Chief Lylee Gibbs can be reached at lgibbs@dailyegyptian.com
Monday - Saturday 7:00am - 2:00pM
8:00am - 2:00pM
A Secret Service member sits up top of the U.S Department of Treasury the morning of the inauguration Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Religious supporter Brigitte Farley holds a ‘Jesus Saves’ sign as she sings ‘America the Beautiful’ by Katharine Lee Bates to Donald Trump supporters waiting to get into the Capital One Arena for the Make America Great Again Rally Jan. 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Light spills through the windows of the Capitol Building the evening before Trump’s second inauguration Jan. 19, 2025 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Dominique Martinez-Powell | @d.martinezphoto
MARIJUANA BOOM
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Carbondale, helping to fund city operations and support local businesses.
According to city officials, tax revenues from cannabis sales go directly into the general fund, which finances the city’s daily operations. These revenues have helped offset losses in the retail sector, which has yet to fully recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It just goes into our general fund, and so it funds all the operations of city government,” City Councilman Adam Loos explained. “There really was a retail collapse during COVID, and maybe in some places, it’s fully bounced back. But that hasn’t happened in Carbondale. It has, you know, I mean, it’s bounced back some. It’s not where it was during the depths of COVID in 2020 and early 2021, but it’s not where it was in [20]19, either.”
According to Jeff Davis, the City of Carbondale’s Finance Director, the city receives a Cannabis Excise Tax from the state, calculated based on population. This tax brings in $34,586 for Carbondale. These funds are crucial for maintaining the operations of local government. Although the revenues are not designated for specific projects, they play an essential role in indirectly supporting infrastructure, education, and other community priorities.
While Carbondale’s cannabis market has witnessed impressive growth, the community has also benefited in ways beyond mere commerce. Through Illinois’ R3 (Restore, Reinvest, and Renew) program, cannabis tax revenue is being allocated to support communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis-related arrests. Among the local beneficiaries is The Little Resource Center, a community-based organization that supports families, especially those facing challenges related to trauma and financial strain.
“We received [R3 funding] for Carbondale in fiscal year 25,” said Claire Hughes, the center’s administrator. “This funding lets us provide much-needed services to expecting families, new families, and those with young children.”
With R3 funds, The Little Resource Center will soon offer a trauma-informed parenting support program that equips parents with skills and resources to build stable, nurturing environments for their children.
“We don’t call it a ‘parenting class,’ per se; it’s more about offering holistic support that combines education, case
management, and outreach,” Hughes said.
These funds also help the Center expand trauma-informed practices across various sectors. “We work with allied providers—like doctors, early intervention specialists, and daycare workers—to make sure they’re equipped to support families in a trauma-informed way,” she said. This effort aims to break cycles of adversity within the community, making resources and education accessible to the people most affected by prior cannabis-related policies.
The integration of the R3 program reflects the broad-reaching economic impact of Illinois’ cannabis tax revenue. While corporate and independent cannabis businesses alike fuel Carbondale’s growing industry, the funds they generate through taxes contribute to essential programs like those at The Little Resource Center. In this way, the benefits of legalization are not only creating jobs but also investing back into the community, addressing long standing disparities, and providing support where it’s needed most.
Policing and legal landscape
The legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois has reshaped local economies, law enforcement practices, and community culture. In Carbondale, the impact is evident across various sectors, from small businesses to law enforcement approaches.
Law enforcement faces varying complexities in adapting to legalization.
Randy Mathis, the Carbondale Police Department Assistant to the Chief for Community Information, explained, “As law enforcement, we are tasked with enforcing the law as written by the legislature, meaning there should be little change in the methods used to implement it. It remains the same unless the legislature makes something legal that used to be illegal.”
Data tracking has presented additional challenges, particularly in understanding marijuana-related incidents. According to Mathis, while marijuana-specific offenses have generally decreased—dropping from 486 arrests between 2015 and 2020 to just 88 arrests since legalization began in 2020—the department lacks specific tracking codes for many marijuana-related crimes, such as DUIs involving cannabis. Mathis added, “The tracking of marijuana is not yet thoroughly established, making it challenging to provide a definitive answer to the question. However, enhancing tracking methods could lead to clearer
insights in the future.”
Community interactions with law enforcement appear largely unchanged.
“It remains unclear how this change might influence the frequency or nature of community calls for service,” Mathis said. “However, it appears that requests for assistance are still being made in the same manner as they have in the past.”
For individuals under 21, marijuana possession remains a civil law violation under the Cannabis Control Act. Law enforcement continues to enforce these regulations consistently, reflecting broader efforts to balance legalization with community safety. “A person under 21 years of age with cannabis in his or her possession is guilty of a civil law violation as outlined in paragraph (a) of Section 4 of the Cannabis Control Act,” Mathis said.
As Carbondale adjusts to legalized cannabis, community events and personal cultivation have become more prominent aspects of local culture. Events like the ‘420 Bash’ bring together enthusiasts to celebrate marijuana-related arts and music. However, navigating the complexities of local regulations remains a shared challenge.
Looking forward -- What’s next for Carbondale?
As the marijuana industry matures, Carbondale stands at a crossroads. Will the market continue to support a diverse mix of corporate dispensaries, small businesses, and home growers, or will consolidation push out smaller players? The owner of Legal Smile remains optimistic, seeing potential for small businesses to thrive through a commitment to community engagement and customer education.
Loos, the city councilman, envisions expanding Carbondale’s offerings.
“What I can see for the future of Carbondale is seeing what a smoke lounge entails. It’s been on the back burner for a while, and I’d like to see that addressed,” he said.
This vision hints at the possibility of new social spaces that could foster community connections while injecting vibrancy into the local economy.
Back at Legal Smile, Jacob Buckman reflects on how legalization has shaped the local industry. Since opening his first store, his expansion to three southern Illinois locations is a testament to both the evolving cannabis culture and the entrepreneurial opportunities legalization has created.
“It’s opened a lot of people’s eyes,” he said.
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About Us
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville, and Springfield communities. The Daily Egyptian can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com or on the Daily Egyptian app!
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The Daily Egyptian, the student-run news organization of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is committed to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.
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The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the School of Journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a non-profit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901.
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Claire Hughes, administrator of the Little Resource Center, sits for a portrait Dec. 18, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Amilia I. Estrada
Salukis rally to end 7 game losing streak
Joslyn cole Jcole@dailyeGyptian com
The SIU women’s basketball team entered their faceoff against the Indiana State Sycamores having not won a game since Dec 2 and sitting winless in conference play. A strong fourth-quarter effort on Jan. 16, changed that.
The Salukis outscored ISU 18-9 behind Alice Curman’s seven points in the frame, and the rest of the game was dominated by one individual: Gift Uchenna.
Jan. 16, was the latest in a line of dominant Uchenna performances, and perhaps her finest of the year. She led the Salukis in scoring, piling up 20 points in 26 minutes, and also grabbed 17 rebounds, with six of them coming on the offensive glass. She had 7 points within the first 10 minutes of the game, and logged her eighth double-double of the season.
Uchenna’s dominance fueled the Salukis to scoring 40 of their 63 points in the paint.
The Dawgs racked up stats on the defensive end. Uchenna had four blocks, while Tyranny Brown had three steals. Tete Nelson also had two steals of her own, and she also dished out six assists.
The Sycamores wouldn’t go quietly. Keslyn Secrist was the biggest obstacle that the Salukis had to go through, nearly matching Uchenna’s performance. Secrist had 20 points, 3 steals and 11 rebounds in 33 minutes.
The Sycamores held an edge heading into halftime, but SIU was able to chip away throughout the quarter. Jeniah Thompson was the driver behind the run, scoring six unanswered points to put the Salukis down one.
Indiana State and SIU went pointfor-point for the rest of the third
until the Salukis took a 43-42 lead off a Tyranny Brown layup. Indiana State fought back, retook the lead and led well into the fourth quarter until an Alice Curman three put the Dawgs ahead once again.
SIU and ISU traded blows until the Salukis took the lead for good with 2:23 left to go off Isabella Palmqvist’s second three-pointer of the quarter, and Curman took the Salukis home with four points down the stretch to seal a 63-58 win.
This win over the Sycamores marks the Saluki’s first MVC win of the season, leaving them at 3-11, including 1-5 in conference. The Dawgs will close out their road stretch with a trip to Evansville, who is winless in the MVC, on Jan.19, and will take the court at 1 p.m.
Sports reporter Joslyn Cole can be reached at jcole@dailyegyptian.com
Salukis beat the Bears last Wednesday behind balanced scoring effort
Ryan GRieseR RGRieseR@dailyeGyptian com
While Salukis have taken turns having big nights in the last few games, there was balanced dominance in their 73-51 win against Missouri State.
SIU started its first Missouri Valley Conference winning streak of the season behind the strength of a dominant first half and three players with at least 15 points.
Ali Dibba paced the Salukis with 22, while Kennard Davis Jr. and Jarrett Hensley both scored 18. It was the first game of the season in which three players had at least 15 points.
The Salukis had a strong night on the defensive end of the court too, giving up a paltry 51 points to a Missouri State team that had just scored 78 against them four days earlier. Damien Mayo Jr. in particular was a force, racking up three steals and two blocks, with two of the steals coming in the first two minutes of action.
SIU led wire-to-wire and came out of the gate hot. They made each of their first four shots to jump out to a 9-2 lead, but the Bears’ defense tightened up
after that. A Hensley dunk and Davis Jr. jumper were the only SIU points in nearly 8 minutes, but a Davion Sykes layup brought the Dawgs back to life.
Hensley, who went 4-for-5 from three-point range, cashed a three, and helped the Salukis close the half on a 13-4 run to find themselves up by 17.
The shrunken rotation that head coach Scott Nagy started showing in the prior Missouri State game appeared again. Dibba, Mayo Jr., Drew Steffe and Davis Jr., played over 30 minutes, Hensley played 29, and Davion Sykes played 16. No other player saw more than 7 minutes of action.
It also seems Nagy has found a starting lineup that works. For the third consecutive game, Hensley started the game at the 5, and Nagy turned to guards to fill out the rest of the lineup, trotting out Steffe, Davis Jr., Mayo Jr. and Dibba. Davis Jr. is the only player besides Hensley that is 6 feet, 6 inches tall or above.
Sports reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com
Jarrett Hensley (32) slams two points Jan. 15, 2025 at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illlinois. Photo provided by Saluki Athletics.
Tkiyah Nelson (23) avoids Sycamore player Deja Jones (10) Jan. 16, 2025 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Photo provided by Saluki Athletics.
Davis drops 24, pushes Salukis to third straight win
A career-high 24 points from Kennard Davis Jr. helped the SIU Salukis set their longest win streak of the season when they beat the University of Northern Iowa Panthers.
The Salukis jumped out to an early lead thanks to a 7-0 run from the opening tip, pumping energy into the Saluki faithful. Jarrett Hensley and Drew Steffe led the scoring early, with five points each to give the Dawgs an eight point advantage only four minutes into the game.
Hensley also was a force on the defensive side of the ball with three blocks and five rebounds in the first half.
SIU’s defense clamped down on UNI in the first half. The Panthers, who had come into the game with the fourth best field goal percentage
in the country, shot a paltry 4-for-28 from the field in the first 20 minutes, failed to sink a single three-pointer and found themselves down 35-15 at the half.
“Defensively, we were tough. We were hard to score on,” Saluki head coach Scott Nagy said.
Out of the break, SIU put on the same show they had in the first half with efficient offense and high pressure defense.
Kennard Davis Jr., who had 10 in the first half, one-upped himself with an additional 14 points to finish with 24 on the night along with 10 rebounds. He wasn’t the only Saluki to have a big night; SIU’s leading scorer on the season, Ali Dibba, chipped in with 14 points and Damien Mayo put up 10 of his own.
“We have players playing with more confidence now.” Nagy said. “You watch Mayo, he’s like a different player then he was at the
beginning of the year.”
UNI was able to shoot the ball much better in the second half, but SIU was able to outpace the Panthers second half scoring, and never had their lead threatened en route to a 7349 victory.
The three game win streak is the Salukis’ longest of the season, and with the win, the Dawgs improved to 8-11 on the season and 3-5 in Missouri Valley play. They now sit in a five-way tie for seventh in the conference standings.
The Salukis will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. to take on the rival Murray State Racers at home in a WWE-themed contest.
“We need our students here, we need people to show up Wednesday night.” Nagy said.
Sports Reporter Nick Pfannkuche can be reached at npfankuche@dailyegyptian.com
Jarrett Hensley (32) shoots the winning basket against Northern Iowa Jan. 18, 2025 at Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Emily Brinkman | @erb_photos_
Kennard Davis Jr. (30) dribbles past Leon Bond III (35).
Rolyns Aligbe (0) makes a basket during the home game against Northern Iowa University.
Davion Sykes (4) dribbles past Northern Iowa.
Ali Dibba (6) goes up for a basket against Northern Iowa University.
Carbondale Residents Gather in front of City Hall to oppose Trump inauguration
Elias WEss EWEss@dailyEgyptian com
Temperatures were low, but spirits were high as political activists gathered on Saturday afternoon in front of the Carbondale Civic Center and marched to Gaia House to spread a message of togetherness and support amid fears about the incoming second administration of President Donald Trump. The Carbondale’s People’s March was parallel to one happening in Washington, D.C., at the same time, and the purpose was to show that everyone can support each other in a time of political turmoil.
Christina Garnette, event organizer and board member of Pride in Action Southern Illinois, stated that the march was meant to send a message of safety for all in southern Illinois.
“Over the next four years, awareness is important. We can’t let people forget we’re here,” Garnette said.
Prior to a series of speeches given on the steps of city hall, laughter could be heard ringing through the square as people talked about both their purpose for meeting as well as how they had been doing since the last they had seen each other. People either knew each other already, or were quickly welcomed into the group.
One of these is an immigrant’s rights workshop being hosted Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, at 303 S. Poplar St. A bilingual English and Spanish helpline is available at 314-339-8777.
Charlie Dorsey with the Southern Illinois Survivor Empowerment Center also spoke reciting Alicia Davis’s poem “Revenge,” gaining cheers from the crowd as she sent a message of empowerment in the face of adversity and the importance of standing together. The center provides counseling for survivors of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence, as well as a place for survivors to stay as they figure out their next steps after escaping abuse. The center has a 24-hour crisis hotline at 800-334-2094, and can be found at 610
S. Thompson St. Garnette, who said she has faced hate speech while organizing the Carbondale People’s March, also spoke at the event. Garnette gave a message of safety found in Illinois. “Don’t hide,” Garnette, a trans woman, said. “Let people know it’s safe.”
She emphasized the importance of being seen standing against any sort
Cristina Castillo, with the Southern Illinois Immigrant Rights Project, spoke prior to the march to discuss both how important unity of all causes is in the coming years and where to find resources for immigrants provided by her group. Castillo said she is a “proud Mexicana, and a proud immigrant.”
of bigoted or harmful movements, such as hatred against LGBT people, immigrants, or women. Garnette also emphasized the importance of voting even in local elections.
“They have to go through us,” Garnette said. “We are gonna be louder and louder and louder.” Garnette also emphasized the importance of calling representatives and letting them know how important it is to stand against hatred.
Following the speeches, signs carrying
messages ranging from “They want us Divided” to “Respect Existence or Expect Resistance” were held aloft as participants marched from the Civic Center to the Gaia House. Chants of “The people united will never be defeated,” “Love not hate makes America great,” and “Silence is compliance,” were shouted.
At Gaia House, there was hot chocolate waiting for the protestors to give them the chance to warm up in a jovial atmosphere. Attendees could be heard saying that they enjoyed how the organizers set everything to ensure that people attending the march would be able to gather in peace. According to Garnette, it is all part of working to ensure everyone can get through the next four years together, regardless of what they may bring.
Staff reporter Elias Wesscan br reached at ewess@dailyegyptian.com
Community members finish the march at Gaia House Jan 18, 2025 in Carbondale, Illinois. Deangelo Handley | @_devisual54
Charlie Hope Dorsey gives a speech outside of the Carbondale Civic Center to advocate for LGBTQ rights January 18, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois.
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