Hinsdale Demonstration Postponed: Village

HINSDALE, IL — A protest in Hinsdale that had been planned for Wednesday has been postponed, the village announced Tuesday night. Police Chief Brian King and Deputy Chief Tom Lillie met with protest organizers "to help plan a peaceful and safe protest" for marchers, residents and the business community, according to the village. A new date has not been set.

The village said the organizers are a group of students from Hinsdale Central High School.

The local protest is likely part of a wave of demonstrations across the country over the death of George Floyd in an encounter with Minneapolis police. Many protests have started peacefully, but have ended in violence and looting. That has happened in Aurora and Naperville. On Tuesday night, Elmhurst's demonstration ended peacefully before sundown, though many businesses had boarded up just in case riots happened.

King posted on Facebook earlier in the day about the plan for the demonstration. It drew many comments from those who feared the organizers would lose control of the demonstration.

"I'm all for a peaceful protest, but word will get out and I'm just afraid things might get out of hand," one woman said. "Protest at the school and leave the downtown area alone. Maybe they should all go out to Aurora and Naperville and help with their downtown clean up!"

A man wrote, "Is it possible to have a pro-Hinsdale Business rally tomorrow at the same time? No engagement, just people ready to keep businesses in business. We show up and celebrate Hinsdale. Sadly, we know the protesters are fine, it is who comes with them and after them, like in Naperville last night."

Also in the suburbs:

Protest Not The Usual Scene In Elmhurst

Joliet Protesters Call For Police Accountability

Protesters Throng Downtown Naperville As Businesses Board Up