Village of Tinley Park issued the following announcement on June 5.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: these are difficult times. All of us in one way or another have faced unprecedented challenges. Whether it’s losing a loved one to COVID-19, losing our jobs due to the State shutdown, or dealing with racial inequality, we’ve faced so much in such as short span of time.
The Village Board is cognizant of the recent protests that have been occurring both nationwide and here in Tinley Park. About one-hundred people took to the streets on Tuesday afternoon along Oak Park Avenue to hold a peaceful demonstration. While the event was ultimately peaceful, there were claims of inappropriate behavior and intimidation by a group of counter-protesters who had gathered across the street. The Village is looking into these claims and will take decisive action if warranted.
The Village decided to impose a curfew and ask Oak Park Avenue businesses to close early simply out of an overabundance of caution. While Tuesday’s protest and, in fact, most nationwide protests were peaceful, we have to be prepared for those who would take advantage of a national tragedy to loot and riot. While the Village supports peaceful assembly, we disagree with violence and threats of destruction as presented in various social media postings. The Village of Tinley Park absolutely does not condone acts of hate, violence or bigotry.
Tinley Park is a community comprised of people of all ages, all races, all religions, all sexual orientations, and it’s this diversity that makes us a wonderful Village to live in. The Tinley Park Village Board vehemently condemns all forms of racism, sexism and bullying, as those actions go against the very principles upon which our Village, and our nation, was founded. Anyone engaging in those kinds of despicable activities will be dealt with in accordance with all criminal findings and our village ordinances.
We also stand behind our first responders, as they are constant professionals that protect our community in times of peace and in times of crisis. The officers who worked Tuesday’s demonstration on Oak Park Avenue did an excellent job and ensured the protest remained peaceful.
As a community and as a nation, we’ve weathered some pretty rough storms as of late. With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting daily life and civil unrest sweeping the country, it’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure of what the future holds. This year is testing our resolve. We won’t let it define us as a community. Together, we’ll prevail.
Original source can be found here.
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