McHenry Co. Protests Remain Peaceful

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — McHenry County protests in response to the killing of George Flloyd have remained peaceful in recent days even as chaos and looting has broken out in suburban towns across the Chicago area. A Black Live Matter protest and rally in Woodstock Square on Sunday ran from 6:30 to 10 p.m. and drew between 500 and 1,000 people, Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb told Patch in an e-mail response.

"The demonstrators remained civil throughout as they expressed their views," Lieb said.

Authorities did have officers out to provide traffic control and make sure protestors remained safe while exercising their right to protest, Lieb said. Officers were also on hand to respond to any acts of violence or damage but that was not needed.

A protest in McHenry drew about 100 people on Monday, the Northwest Herald is reporting. Another at Diecke Park in Huntley also drew out residents holding signs that read "I can't breathe" and "No more silence."

Following the death of Floyd, unrest has broken out across the country. Many police chiefs from departments across the area have taken to social media to express their thoughts on the killing. Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin has charged with murder after he is seen on a video kneeling on Floyd's neck while trying to take him into custody.

Crystal Lake Police Chief said police-involved killings erode the relationships that departments, like the Crystal Lake PD, have worked so hard to build with their communities over the years.

"Nobody dislikes bad cops more than the men and women who provide unbiased professional police services to their communities daily," wrote Black in a Facebook post Monday. "When we become a police officer, we take an oath to treat all individuals with dignity and respect."

Black said his department has a zero tolerance policy for discrimination, racial profiling, and excessive use of force.

"As police officers, we should be held to a high standard and now more than ever the public demands transparency from its police. Law enforcement leaders must have the courage to denounce actions that tear at the very core of these principles, and we must muster the courage to continue to build trust and a collaborative partnership with our communities," he said. "We cannot tolerate hate or discrimination of any kind and we must advocate for positive change."

Meanwhile, protests in other suburbs, including Naperville, Aurora and Waukegan, turned violent after some people turned to looting and riots.

• Naperville Stores Looted, Damaged; Explosives Set Off: Police
• Mayor Says Protest Organized By Democratic Leader Is 'Reckless'

MORE ON PATCH

• Metra Shutdown Extended To Tuesday, CTA Service Ends Monday Night
• Hundreds Gathered For George Floyd Protest At Cantore Park