This was the scene in Wilder Park on the afternoon of Saturday, June 13, when about 1000 people gathered to stage a peaceful protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in light of the recent death of George Floyd and others who have died. More photos inside.
By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
It was a beautiful, bright sunny day on Saturday, June 13, in Wilder Park. just a little too warm to have to wear a mask over your face – but everyone did.
More than 1,000 people gathered at Wilder Park to take part in a peaceful protest, relating to the Black Lives Matter movement in light of not only the recent death of George Floyd, but the deaths of many other African Americans, who have been killed while in police custody over the years.
Meanwhile, there was another incident that took place in Atlanta over the weekend, resulting in the death of Rayshard Brooks—an African American man who was shot while fleeing two white police officers after Brooks reportedly resisted arrest and stole an officer’s Taser. The Atlanta police officer who allegedly made the fatal shot has been fired, and the police chief has resigned.
Wilder Park began to fill just before 1 p.m. as people of all ages and ethnicities streamed in from all directions on foot or bicycles—some pushing strollers—and many, many others holding protest. Signs.
Police officers had all streets that border the park blocked off with police vehicles. Officers were at each corner, directing people to the rally and to legal places to park in the area.
Organizers were young people from the local area who gave impassioned speeches about the current state of civil unrest in the country, stemming from the incident with George Floyd in Minneapolis, and posing the question, “Where do we go from here?”
Most protestors had their own opinions and ideas on what should be done to reform police policies and procedures, especially regarding incidents in which police officers feel restraining or subduing a disruptive person is the only way to control that individual, who may be a harm to himself or others. (Elsewhere in this issue, see related story based on interviews of the protestors who offered their views to the Elmhurst Independent.)
After about 30 minutes of speeches from the leaders and organizers, the entire park emptied out as protestors marched eastward across Cottage Hill and followed Arthur Street to York Street, then south to St. Charles Road, then west to Hagans Street, which eventually led everyone back into Wilder Park.
As they marched, people chanted things such as, “No justice, no peace,” and “What is this?” “A peaceful protest!”
There were no incidents of crime, violence or wrongdoing reported by the City or the Elmhurst Police Department.
