Police Urge Businesses To Close Ahead Of Planned Protest

BATAVIA, IL — The Batavia Police Department on Tuesday issued an emergency alert encouraging downtown businesses to close ahead of a protest planned for Wednesday afternoon. The department apologized Wednesday morning, saying the alert the day before “has created a sense of division and fear.”

“It was not our intent and we apologize,” the department wrote in a Facebook post.

George Floyd’s death last week in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests against the killing of black citizens by police. Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged May 27 with third-degree murder and manslaughter after kneeling on Floyd’s neck while arresting him.

Activists in Batavia have organized a sit-in protest to start at noon Wednesday at City Hall, according to the Batavia Police Department, which urged businesses to close and residents to stay home. The protest is expected to end around 2:30 p.m., according to police.

Organizers have worked with the police department during the planning process, and the group has designated “safety captains” to ensure the protest remains peaceful, according to police.

In the police department’s Facebook post, officials said they have received many calls from business owners and residents “frantically trying to plan and prepare for a worst-case scenario,” but added “we believe the intent of this rally (in Batavia) is to refocus the energy of the people on the message.”

Though officials “feel the risk is inherently low” at the Batavia protest, “we felt it was our duty to notify the broader public about this event and encourage each person and business owner to make the decisions that make them feel most safe,” the post reads.

Police said they have seen nothing to indicate there may be rioting, looting or other criminal activity at the Batavia protests.

“Rumors and speculation of this possibility are rampant on social media, and over the past several days, these rumors have taken on a life of their own. On the contrary, the organizers of this event went to great lengths to ensure this is a peaceful, productive, and inspiring rally for change.”

Despite police expecting a peaceful demonstration, the Batavia City Council during an emergency meeting Tuesday night declared a state of disaster in the city after protests and looting in Aurora, Naperville and Chicago.