South Cook News

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) interrupted Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

The confrontation arose after residents of Palestinian descent requested a ceasefire ordinance from Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau.

As Pekau responded to the request ceasefire resolution from residents, murmurs spread throughout the crowd.

The mayor banged his gavel to quiet the crowd, which grew increasingly louder. Pekau then warned that he’d adjourn the meeting and have the crowd removed.  

"We will remove the room so we can continue to have our meeting,” Pekau said moments later. “I will entertain a motion for recess.” 

Upon returning from recess, Pekau commented on the situation.

“So before we were interrupted, as this is a public meeting, but it is a meeting. It's unfortunate. People can speak themselves. We can be considerate and the same is not returned, but such are the times we live in,” he said.

Pekau then finished the comments he was making at the time of the interruption. He delved into a detailed analysis of the population dynamics and historical context of the Middle East, particularly focusing on Israel and Gaza.

However, the mayor made it explicitly clear that his role in Overland Park does not entail involvement in foreign policy matters. He also emphasized the local governance responsibilities of the board, such as infrastructure development and community services.

“I value the respectful views of all of my constituents,” Pekau said in a statement he released after the meeting. 

“Unfortunately, CAIR and the protesters are mischaracterizing what happened (the evidence which is on video) and are attempting to create a controversy where one does not exist. I gave full attention and respect to each person who commented. In addition, each attendee who wished to give public comment was afforded the opportunity to speak without interruption.

“Unfortunately, I was not given the same courtesy during my comments. The attendees continued to disrupt the conduct of the meeting, refused to stop interrupting even after repeatedly being asked to do so. As a result, we recessed, and the room was cleared. After 25 minutes, we continued comments after the disruptors were removed and the meeting restarted. I noted during my comments that the Mayor of Orland Park has no influence over foreign policy.

“CAIR selectively quoted my comments. That portion of my comments from the meeting were as follows: ‘I understand the concerns of those who live here, for their friends and family living in Gaza. I share those concerns for the innocent people in Gaza and my heart goes out to all of the innocent impacted by this and I hope that nobody here ever experiences it, especially not first-hand. But first and foremost, I am an American, I am not a German American. I am an American and that is where my allegiances lie. And if you are an American citizen and you don’t feel that way, in my opinion, you are entitled to that opinion but you can certainly go to another country and support that other country. And all the power to you if you choose to do that.

“'As long as I am an American, and I am, I’ve taken several oaths to support and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, I will always support America’s interests which means supporting our allies and opposing our enemies and doing what is in the best interest of America and Americans. America’s official position is to support a two-state solution and that Hamas is a terrorist organization. I agree with and support those positions.'”