Hundreds March In Black Lives Matter Protest In Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The street outside of Downers Grove North High School was quiet as hundreds of people took a knee and held five minutes of silence before a protest and march for racial justice and equality. From small children holding signs that read "Black Lives Matter," to young adults holding skateboards emblazoned with the letters "BLM," to dogs wearing signs that said "Heck Racism," the crowd was filled with residents and people from surrounding towns who came out to protest in the wake of George Floyd's death.

Sheila Tawia, who came from Westmont, told Patch, "It's really nice to see how many people are out here in support of Black Lives Matter." Tawia added, "We are here for a common goal of making sure everyone feels safe in their town."

The protest began with remarks from community leaders before marching from Downers Grove North to St. Joseph Parish and back, chanting "Black Lives Matter." Along the way, residents were posted up with water and other refreshments for participants, in front of homes displaying their own signs for calling for justice and racial equality.

Larisa Banike hand-stitched a BLM sign from repurposed materials in her home. She told Patch, "If you can take care of animals and you can take care of the planet, you can take care of your fellow human."

Elizabeth Fenech, who also attended the protest, said she was "happy to that everyone is coming together here doing this."

"We can't let the momentum die with this at all," Fenech said.