This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 30th, 2021.

Over the next two weeks, we will take a look back at the stories we covered in the year 2021. In today’s episode, we will review field reports from the last year.

You will hear a public opinion poll of the Astroworld tragedy, activists at two protests and an account of the 2021 Bloomington Pridefest.

All that and more in Field Reporting: 2021 In Review:

Voices in the Street – 2021 Pridefest

In August of this year, the 2021 Bloomington Pridefest took place after happening virtually the previous year. We turn now to our historic Voices in the Street coverage of this year’s Pridefest.

Voices in the Street. Photo: Chris Hack, 2019.

During sweltering heat on Saturday, Pridefest took place in downtown Bloomington after happening virtually last year.

Pridefest is an annual street festival organized by Bloomington PRIDE, a non-profit organization that advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The festival featured a vendor expo, workshops with activists and experts, live music, drag shows and MPG wrestling.

WFHB Community Radio was a vendor at this year’s Pridefest. We set up three microphones and interviewed participants at the festival.

We asked folks what brought them to Pridefest and what the festival means to them.

Bloomington residents gather on Kirkwood Avenue for Pridefest, the annual street festival hosted by local organization, Bloomington PRIDE. Photo by Melanie Davis.

Volunteers from WFHB Community Radio interview participants of the festival for a radio piece. Photo by Melanie Davis.

Pride flags wave as attendees walk from booth to booth. Photo by Melanie Davis.

Cosecha Indiana Marches through the Streets of Bloomington

In July of this year, protesters from Cosecha Indiana marched through the streets of Bloomington to demand reform on strict ID laws. WFHB News covered the protest.

On Thursday, members of Cosecha Indiana marched through the streets of Bloomington with demands to reform identification and driver’s license laws.

According to a spokesperson for the organization, Cosecha Indiana is part of a national movement working toward permanent protection, dignity and respect for all immigrant workers.

Volunteer Field Organizer Wendy Catalán Ruano talked about the activist group and the purpose of the protest.

“We are here because we’re demanding that the Driver’s License Bill is not ignored,” said Ruano. “We’re demanding that this is visible and our bodies are visible and that we have the right to drive without fear.”

Ruano discussed the lasting impact of the REAL ID Act – passed over 15 years ago – which requires federal agencies to only accept state driver’s licenses or ID cards issued upon proof of documentation of legal status and driver’s licenses.

“2007 was when driver’s licenses were revoked. Folks like my parents. My aunts and uncles were also having driving licenses at that time, but it’s now been more than 15 years since we’ve had that right back,” she said. “Everyone deserves to travel home, travel to their jobs and schools without fear of getting deported.”

The march started at Switchyard Park and ended at the Sample Gates on Kirkwood Avenue. Protesters chanted, “fighting for justice and driver’s licenses.”

Ruano said Cosecha Indiana has marched in various cities throughout the state and wil...