Volume 1, Issue 6, Paid Edition - April 3, 2026

No Kings Draws 81 Participants

Noelle Maxwell

81 people representing Decatur, Ripley, Franklin and Marion counties attended the No Kings 3.0 rally in Greensburg from 12 to 2 PM, March 28. Two peaceful counter-protesters also attended. There were three guest speakers at the rally, RISE For Justice co-founder Hollie Payton, Decatur County Pride Alliance Treasurer Tammi Bailey and Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 73 Allen Miller.

Bailey spoke at the beginning of the rally, explaining why she protests, after a brief introduction. “I protest,” she said, “because I love this country. My father, the farmer, was also a Navy man and proud of his service. I grew up believing in the promise of America, that this could be a more perfect union. But, it was something we would have to fight for every day in order to achieve. I have up until now, done my best to keep my advocacy for the queer community separate from my protesting.” She reminded everyone that LGBTQIA+ people “want to be left alone, with the same rights every other person enjoys. We want to love who we love and get married without it having to be picked apart by the right wing and local rednecks. We want our lives to be peaceful – and,” she joked, “don’t forget, eat tacos on Tuesdays.”

“Unfortunately,” Bailey continued, “this administration and their minions have made the decision that DEI is a cuss word, that LGBTQ+ people are to be shunned and that transgender people shouldn’t even be allowed to exist. Christian Nationalism has taken over our country and unless you are a straight white man, preferably a billionaire, your life don’t mean s—t to them.”

Bailey closed her speech by reminding everyone to check their voter registration and vote. Her final remarks were “this is not the America I envisioned and I don’t think you did, either. We are better than this, at least, most of us are,” adding, “f—k ICE, f—k Donald Trump, f—k his administration, f—k the GOP, f—k the Iran War and f—k all those old white rich men who got us into all of this.”

After No Kings, co-organizer Hollie Payton described the rally as one that “truly reflected Decatur County – people of all ages and backgrounds, from farmers and teachers to retirees, manufacturing workers, stay-at-home moms and small business professionals,” attended. “It showed a united community that refuses to stay silent,” Payton said. She’s observed a “shift in energy” between previous local No Kings events and No Kings 3.0. While participants remain frustrated with Trump, according to Payton, No Kings 3.0 was about “building community and finding joy in being together. It reminded people that even in difficult times, we can still connect, support each other, and create something meaningful.”

Payton confirmed that No Kings attendees were allegedly coal-rolled twice during the rally and that the drivers behind those acts were pulled over by the Greensburg Police Department.

Footloose Coming to NDHS

Noelle Maxwell

Footloose is coming soon to a stage at North Decatur High School – the drama club will be performing the musical, based off of the 1980s film, April 10, 11 and 12. The musical follows the story of Ren, a teenager who has moved to a small, religious rural town from Chicago. Ren is into singing and dancing and the town has a ban on both, bans that Ren ends up working to get lifted, while also falling for Ariel.

The NDHS Drama Club has grown considerably over the past two years, according to staff director Morgan Schofield, who was co-director of the club and is now the director. “It was good before,” she noted, “I’d say it’s amazing now. Not only have we gotten new members but a lot of the older members – they’ve always come back. We’ve really enjoyed getting to know and each and every one of these kids.” Schofield attributes some the club’s growth to increased awareness of the club.

The other factor in the club’s growth is the students. “These kids,” said Schofield, “they’re very vocal about the fact that they’re in drama club,” telling other students about the club, “and I’m very happy that they’re so proud to be here.”

The students do more than just musicals – this year, the club participated in and won the Meals On Wheels Dancing with the Stars fundraiser using music from Footloose. Schofield said she’s enjoyed seeing students come together, interact, become friends and “put on a production that they’re proud of.”

Students Ellie Johnson and Lucas Tucker, who play Ariel Moore and Willard Hewitt in the musical, both spoke to the Independent about their perspective on the upcoming performance. “I would say this has just been fun to be around just, a different group of people,” Johnson said, explaining she does multiple sports so the drama club has been “a nice change of pace and just a fun environment to be in.” She’s most proud of the friendships she’s made through the club and how she and her friends have grown together. Tucker shared that he’s been involved in various activities at North Decatur, including sports but that the production of Footloose, “is definitely the most fun thing I’ve ever done. I’m proud of all the friends I’ve made and how we’ve been doing. It’s really fun.”