Dozens Line Downtown Grayslake During Protest: Photos

GRAYSLAKE, IL — Dozens of protestors lined Center Street in downtown Grayslake on Thursday holding signs and shouting "I can't breathe" as cars passed by honking their horns. The peaceful protest, like many held across the Chicago area, was in response to the death of George Floyd.

Many businesses remained open, including some bars and restaurants with patrons sitting out on patios during the protest Thursday, but some did decide to close. The protest ran from noon to 2 p.m. in downtown Grayslake.

Grayslake police officers lined the streets keeping an eye out for any issues Thursday. In some suburban towns, rioters infiltrated protests, causing unrest and looting at businesses in towns like Naperville, Aurora, Waukegan and elsewhere.

Also on Thursday, a peaceful protest will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at Century Park in Vernon Hills. Two recent Vernon Hills High School graduates, Lee Judilla and EunSoo Kim, organized the event, which they expect to draw at least 100 people.

"We felt it was important that the elevation of black voices was highlighted in our local community as well," Kim said. "The issues of police brutality and systemic, institutionalized racism are not exclusive to major cities. This is especially important to discuss locally, as the both of us come from a generally affluent and privileged area where not only are these injustices found, but so often dismissed."

"We see generational racism as a problem in our community that resides in both the hearts of our classmates through schooling, and in some members of our community," she added.

The duo wanted to hold the protest as a way to show solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement. Kim told Patch in an email response that she and Judilla see such protests as "essential parts of political participation and hope to inspire others to take direction action."

Numerous peaceful protests have been occurring daily throughout Lake County, Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Covelli told Patch in an email response.

"We continue to have additional deputies countywide to ensure the safety of those participating in the protests and ensure the safety of everyone in Lake County," Covelli said.