Brannigan Blames ‘Professional, Outside Agitators’ For Protests

PALOS HILLS, IL -- Palos Township Tr. Sharon Brannigan, who has been at the center of a standoff for allegedly making disparaging remarks about Arab-Americans and Muslims on social media in 2017, blamed “outside, professional agitators” for organizing two years of protests that have shut down the township board’s monthly meetings. On Monday evening, five activists were arrested and charged with criminal trespassing after township officials claimed they disrupted the meeting and disobeyed private security officers’ orders to leave the meeting.

Muhammad Sakari, 31, and Husam Marajda, 28, both of Chicago, Samar Alhato, 22, of Worth, along with Bassem S. Karver, 30, of Tinley Park, and Tammy J. Georgiou, 50, of Palos Hills, were booked on misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass to state supported land. Each posted 10% of $1,500 bail. The five are due to appear July 15 at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

The activists have countered that they were leaving voluntarily when they were handcuffed and dragged outside by police for “exercising their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, director of the Arab American Action Network.

Palos Hills police acknowledged in a news release that Palos Township officials hired a private security firm to be present at Monday’s meeting. Officers were called to the Palos Township office at 10802 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, around 6:30 p.m. Monday for a disturbance complaint.

“Upon arrival, police were advised by private security officers … that some of the individuals that were protesting the meeting were refusing to leave the premises,” according to the news release. “Protesters were asked to leave several times by township officials and their private security group.”

As officers entered the building, private security officers pointed out the people who were asked to leave but refused to do so, police said. Township officials advised the officers that they would be pursuing criminal complaints for trespassing.

>>> RELATED: 5 Brannigan Protesters Arrested At Palos Township Board Meeting

Copies of the complaints, signed and provided to the news media by Brannigan, accused the activists of “knowingly” remaining in the Palos Township Office “after receiving notice from a representative of the township office.”

The identical complaints further stated that “remaining was forbidden, and thereby interfered with the township’s council use of such building, which property is supported wholly with state of Illinois funds.”

Brannigan apologized for her "poorly crafted words," early on after protesters began packing the township board’s meetings. In a statement issued after Monday’s arrests, Brannigan blamed outsiders for “violating the rights of residents.”

“Our residents have seen their rights trampled and abused by the uncompromising and intolerant outside professional agitators. The Palos Township Board has been patient listening and understanding for the last two years … More and more residents have said they wanted something done and that they are concerned about the violent rhetoric of the protestors who have gone way beyond acceptable public conduct to bully anyone who disagrees with them ... they have bullied and shouted down people who disagree with their views and [it’s] about time this kind of disrespectful hate-driven angry protests be held to account.”

The protesters have attended the township board’s monthly meetings demanding Brannigan’s resignation and/or be censured by the township board. They accused Brannigan of working with a group that is listed on the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-Muslim hate group, to harass the activists.

“In typical fashion, Brannigan released a statement of lies - as she has many times before - about what transpired last night,” the Arab American Action Network said in a written statement. “Make no mistake, it is Brannigan's supporters from Act for America, who have bussed in non-township residents to the meetings; it is Brannigan's husband who has verbally and physically harassed protesters; and it is Brannigan herself whose racism and hate speech led to our original calls for her to resign.”