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Peaceful Black Lives Matter protests pop up in some surprising places

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Illinois

Jim Rowe is the Kankakee County State’s Attorney, and he is white. He is also embarrassed, frustrated and more than a little angry.

Rowe expressed those feelings before a crowd of about 650 people at the Tuesday evening Community Rally at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds regarding racism and police abuse.

Rowe’s embarrassment, frustration and anger come by the response of those in the white community who “spew racist ignorance and hate” in the aftermath of the George Floyd arrest and subsequent death at the hands of a Minneapolis, Minn., police officer.

“The response to Black Lives Matter is not All Lives Matter. Let’s be honest. Have all lives really ever mattered in the minds of those who say that?” Rowe asked near the conclusion of the nearly 90-minute rally. “Did all lives matter in our country when slaves were inhumanely transported like livestock in the bottom of ships? Did all lives matter when they were lynched by the thousands at the hands of the KKK? Did all lives matter when they were attacked by dogs as they protested for the equal rights they still don’t share today?

“… Did George Floyd’s life matter when he was murdered in broad daylight, on camera, while those charged with protecting and serving watched?” he asked. “The response to Black Lives Matter is not to say ‘Well, what about black-on-black crime?’ We know the difference, we know the difference between swift and fair justice and when it is not.

“Do not be vocal about the looting, but silent about the murder. … Do not say you’re afraid of these protests and criticize their peaceful chants, but embrace the protesters of a few weeks ago on the courthouse lawn simply because they were white. … Shut up and realize that a man was murdered and there is still no justice,” he said. “When you look at the anger and the revolt and the destruction, do not forget the ‘Why?’ This stops only when the world takes the proper steps to fix the matter at hand.”

I was born in Kankakee and grew up hearing stories about race riots and racism in that town.

* WAND TV…

Protesters marched in Taylorville Thursday evening, speaking about racial injustice and the death of George Floyd.

“Until we all come together, nothing’s gonna change,” said organizer Chadwick Workman. “I don’t understand why we are so divided, when America started as the melting pot, so I want to help bring people together.” […]

Law enforcement officers were also on scene, not only providing public safety, but actually participating in the march.

“This is people’s 1st amendment right, to get out and protest, and let their voices be heard,” said Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp. “I want to be part of that. I want the public to know that our police officers are just sickened by what happened in Minnesota. We are absolutely sickened by what happened.”

Christian County is 97 percent white. And Sheriff Kettelkamp ain’t exactly liberal.

* The Southern Illinoisan…

Nearly 200 people marched peacefully Thursday through Anna’s city streets to bring attention to police brutality in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody. […]

Anna’s march was one of many in small towns through the region — a rally in Carterville drew about 150 people Wednesday — but it is especially significant here because of the city’s history as a haven for racism.

What started as a small group of about 50 to 60 demonstrators in Anna’s city park grew to nearly 200 as it made its way downtown. Gathered in a parking lot, demonstrators recited familiar chants of “black lives matter” and “no justice, no peace.” […]

There were moments of tension, but the only people taken away by police were instigators attempting to argue with demonstrators.

More about A-N-N-A here.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:19 am

Comments

Yes, but what about the busloads of Antifa ravaging Sparta?

Comment by South of Sherman Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:21 am
Good on these folks. I’m so sick of my co-workers referring to the protestors as rioters, it’s just a way to dismiss their cause.

Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:24 am
Toto, I have a feeling it’s not 1968 anymore

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:30 am
I really enjoy public officials that are like “if we don’t talk about our racist past, it’ll just go away.”

Or a community that is almost completely white with only white elected officials, only white local government employees, only white teachers, etc, where people say things like “No racism here.”

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:31 am
As I posted in another story, there were a number of people in Anna who believed Facebook garbage about looting and violence.
Many were business owners.
Would like to think their eyes were opened this morning, but I’m not a fool.

Comment by efudd Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:32 am
Many on the far right believe that only white people get to be angry or express an opinion on race. If minorities do it it’s whining.
Instead of acknowledging racism against minorities they play a game of whataboutism where they bring up instances of black on white violence, and say case closed.

The best way to reach the far right would be to have their religious leaders stand up unequivocally against racism and for the need for change. Having our President do so would be a big help as well, but I’m not holding out hope for that.

Comment by Independent Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:34 am
===Yes, but what about the busloads of Antifa ravaging Sparta?===

Had to be cancelled, the RNC didn’t have enough to pay the bus rental bill.

Comment by NO A/C Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:40 am
“Do not be vocal about the looting, but silent about the murder.“

This, all day. Silence over the root cause, and attacking the symptoms, is a big part of the problem.

‘Well, what about black-on-black crime?’

Much of this is born in the long-standing conditions that racism has brought about, like segregation. It’s so deeply ingrained, but it should be one of our top priorities at every level to improve. It will definitely not be solved by “tough love,” slashing social services, harsh policing and sentencing, cutting regulations, taxes and stripping union rights.

Since economic justice and racial justice go hand in hand, we have to stop giving big breaks to the most privileged and wealthy, who need it least, at the expense of those who need help the most. We have to ensure everyone can get health insurance and not undermine their rights and ability to have a better standard of living.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:42 am
It’s incredible to see, looking back at history in some places.

Institutional and systematic racism needs to end, that cry and demand is in hundreds of cities, all 50 states, and around the globe, a movement now that the sun can’t set, where protests and marches are happening all the time, everywhere.

It’s a good sign that all places see the importance and want to be a part of this, and towns are also welcoming these movements too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:56 am
This is good to hear. Maybe we’ve reached a tipping point and the majority of us will pick up the task our Union forbearers and Martin Luther King died for during and since the Civil War. Social equality and justice for black and brown people built on an economic system that works for all of us. Antifa could lead the way?

Comment by Froganon Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:59 am
from readings on Chicago matters, the 45th ward (NW side) alderman is taking a bus of people from the ward to help in Lawndale, on the West Side.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:08 am
==Toto, I have a feeling it’s not 1968 anymore==

I would submit to you that we are in 1918, 1968, and 2008 all at the same time.

Comment by SAP Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:13 am
The increased awareness is great, but it doesn’t mean much unless it converts to policy change. This movement has to continue until there’s widespread and meaningful reform. If people content themselves with nice sentiments, we’re going to be back here in 3 months when it inevitably happens again, and again, and again.

Comment by Pearly Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:14 am
Here’s part of the problem:

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

https://www.amazon.com/Lies-My-Teacher-Told-Everything/dp/0743296281

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:15 am
I cannot get over how smartphones keep showing us scenes of unflinching brutality on the part of police officers…like this protest yesterday in Buffalo NY https://tinyurl.com/y9tdsnm4

Notice how the national guardsman (NOT his fellow officers) administer aid to the fallen man.

Comment by Jocko Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:24 am
have not read the book, but sounds interesting. more often than not, what is missing in history is the problem. much of history teaching is about government and especially the military. which means in American history women get a mention early on generally only with Betsy Ross.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:27 am
I definitely also recommend the book “Lies My Teacher Told Me.” The title makes the book sound more strident than it is. The book talks about how the way history is taught changes to reflect the times. For instance President Wilson was once viewed as one of the great presidents because the League of Nations led to the United Nations. By the 70s, people recognized he was a horrible racist who re-segregated the U.S. government and basically stopped talking about him. The book has a sequel that talks about historical monuments throughout the states which is equally interesting.

Comment by City Guy Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:31 am
My Dad was a life long Republican anti-fascist who fought fascism during the second World War.

Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:39 am
Not just Anna, but Carterville? Things are changing. Had a distant relative who went to SIUC “U High” in the early 1950s. The only way their integrated baseball team could play in Carterville was the presence of the Illinois State Police.

Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:47 am
===Or a community that is almost completely white with only white elected officials, only white local government employees, only white teachers, etc, where people say things like “No racism here.”===
Several years ago, Bloomington and/or Normal erected a few signs along their major roadways with the red “slash” symbol of “No Racism” and the words underneath “Not in our town”. I thought it was a great message to publicly proclaim.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 12:26 pm
Thanks for highlighting the Kankakee and Anna stories Rich.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 12:28 pm
I attended the peaceful gathering in Taylorville last night. Very diverse crowd, young and old, people of all races. I would guess 300 or so in attendance. And then we had the dozen or so knuckleheads driving around town in their 4×4’s with confederate flags flying. We’re haven’t come as far as some would think.

Comment by Papa2008 Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 1:26 pm
These stories help me feel that maybe this time IS different.
Thank you for posting them.

Comment by GregN Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 1:33 pm
Lincoln had a surprisingly well attended one. Freeburg will have one tomorrow. I hope all goes well.

Comment by Colossus Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 1:36 pm
Thank you, Jim Rowe. We need more of this from people in jobs like his and with faces like his today, tomorrow, next week, and next year.

Comment by Rich Hill Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 2:03 pm
Just a wonderful, hopeful read.

Comment by RIJ Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 2:33 pm