James Phipps: A Lifelong Advocate for Justice, Protests Despite Health Challenges

75-Year-Old Activist Defies Health Challenges to Join No Kings Protest in Chicago

Chicago, IL — James Phipps, a 75-year-old civil rights veteran, is determined to make his voice heard at Saturday’s No Kings demonstration in Chicago, despite recently undergoing surgery for colon cancer. “I have a burning desire to be a part of the protest,” he declared. “That’s all I’ve done all my life.”

Born in Marks, Mississippi, Phipps has been a tireless advocate for social justice since he was just 13 years old. He played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, helping to racially integrate his local high school and organizing with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. By 15, he was involved with the Mississippi Freedom Labor Union (MFLU), which fought for better wages for sharecroppers.

“They were paid 30 cents an hour, working in the hot sun, 10 hours a day,” Phipps recalled. “It broke their necks, backs, pelvis, and knees. They had no medical care. That’s one of the key things in my mind right now.”

Now working in administrative support in Cook County and a member of SEIU Local 73, Phipps is grateful for the health insurance that covered his recent surgery. However, he is deeply concerned about the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has left millions of Americans vulnerable to losing their health insurance. The expiration of health insurance subsidies could drive an estimated 3.1 million people off coverage, a situation Phipps finds unacceptable.

“You have greedy men thinking about one thing: enhancing their pocketbook,” he said, expressing alarm over aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Chicago. “There’s no reason why you should take people out of their homes when they’ve been here for 20 or 30 years.”

Phipps draws parallels between the treatment of immigrants today and the discriminatory laws he faced growing up in Mississippi. “The same struggle that Mexican Americans and people of color are going through, we went through that since 1619,” he said, recalling the dangers of confronting injustice during the Jim Crow era.

A Movement of Solidarity

The No Kings protests, which are expected to feature over 2,600 demonstrations across all 50 states, are being organized by some of the largest labor unions in the U.S., including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of Teachers.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, emphasized the importance of a collective voice in both the workplace and democracy. “Freedom does not come without a voice,” she stated.

Despite criticism from prominent Republicans who label the protests as “hate America” rallies, Phipps and other activists maintain that their actions are rooted in love for their country and a desire for justice. Jaime Contreras, executive vice-president for SEIU 32 BJ, remarked, “The real threat to this country isn’t peaceful protesters. It’s politicians shutting down our government to protect billionaires.”

As Phipps prepares to join the protests, he reflects on the enduring spirit of rebellion that has characterized American history. “Our founders were a rebellious lot who said, ‘We don’t want kings.’ And now, 249 years later, people are saying, ‘No, we meant it.’”

With his unwavering commitment to social justice, James Phipps stands as a testament to the power of activism, proving that age and health challenges cannot silence the call for equality and justice.