Activist Group Opposes Confederate Reenactment In Mokena

MOKENA, IL — The Southwest Suburban Activists group has expressed opposition to the inclusion of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry in the village of Mokena's Fourth of July celebrations. Several residents also voiced opposition on the Mokena Patch Facebook page and the activist group said it had received messages as well.

"Yes, a holiday created to celebrate America's independence and separation from a tyrannical ruler is being marked by a cannon demonstration with Confederate soldiers," a statement from the group reads. "It's not only a nod to the wrong war, but it is also a celebration of slavery, racism, and traitors."

According to the village website, the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry will demonstrate "authentic Civil War-era cannons" during the Fourth of July celebrations in Mokena.

According to the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry website, the group is a nonprofit organization of reenactors who portray "members of the Confederate military and their civilian companions." On the recruiting page of the website, the group states, "We chose to be Confederates because they fought hard for what they believed in — protecting their homes, states' rights, equal treatment in commerce, elimination of illegal tariffs, and preservation of the agricultural way of life. You can help us keep their stories alive and preserve their values, while having a good time of it!"

Southwest Suburbs Activists encouraged people to email or call the village.

A resident also questioned the Mokena Community Park District about the event on their Facebook page. The park district said it only sponsors the free family fun event at Main Park.

"The Village of Mokena is sponsoring and made all of the arrangements for the Cavalry, the fireworks, and the Encore Community Band as stated above. The Park District is not," the district posted on Facebook.

Patch has reached out to the village of Mokena for a comment.

"We have spent quite a bit of time and energy trying to get the village of Mokena to denounce racist acts — two swastika graffiti incidents and teens wearing blackface in public — but they refuse. We have asked them to support Pride Fest. They refuse. We are now asking the Village of Mokena to not glorify the Confederacy," the activist group said.