Protests Planned In La Grange

LA GRANGE, IL — The La Grange village government said it has been made aware of a "peaceful" demonstration planned for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the fountain in front of Village Hall. The organizers are local teens who attend Lyons Township High School, the village said in a statement.

The village said it has been informed of another protest for Saturday, organized by a local resident. "The Police Department has been in contact with the resident and students to discuss plans for the event and to help ensure the safety of the participants and our Village," the statement said.

In response to Wednesday's protest, the village is advising businesses suspend operations from 4 to 6 p.m. The demonstration will begin at Village Hall and end on Brainard Avenue, the village said.

The demonstrations are in connection with the Black Lives Matter movement. In the last few days, demonstrations that were intended to be peaceful turned violent, which happened in Naperville. By contrast, Elmhurst's protest on Tuesday ended peacefully, although many downtown businesses were boarded up just in case.

On Monday, the Hinsdale village government announced that a demonstration organized by Hinsdale Central High School students was planned for the next day. But on Tuesday, it said the event was postponed. A new date has not been set.

Information on La Grange's Saturday protest has been making the rounds on La Grange social media. It is set for noon, also at the fountain in front of Village Hall. According to the announcement, the participants will march from the fountain to the La Grange police station, then stand for nine minutes in "silent solidarity with George Floyd and others murdered by police."

The announcement said the demonstration is being held because La Grange residents are "not immune to racism in this small suburb. We have a responsibility to use our privilege. Silence is violence."

Participants are asked to bring masks and gloves, signs and hand sanitizer.