Local Residents Come Together For Impromptu BLM Rally

Following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020, people in communities throughout the country mobilized to call attention to the many instances of people of color being killed at the hands of authorities and even vigilantes.

This past Tuesday morning, one local resident, artist Sholo Beverly of Deerfield (formerly of Highland Park) reached out to friends, with experience coordinating demonstrations, including long-time Deerfield resident Maureen Gurvey, as well as the Deerfield Police, with the idea of holding a Black Lives Matter protest. Sholo had the modest goal of assembling a couple of dozen people at the intersection of Waukegan and Deerfield Roads.

After discussing the plans with her daughter, Sahannah McAlister (Deerfield High School '20), it did not take long for word to spread as invitations to join the protest were messaged and posted on social media by other students including Zach Metti (DHS '20) and Evie Parcell (DHS ‘21), and a flyer was designed by Diedre Shore (DHS ‘21).

When word made its way to other local groups what was originally to be small group of people with signs, prompting drivers to honk in support, became a full-fledged, word-of-mouth driven demonstration attracting several hundred people, requiring street closures and police escorts as the demonstration evolved into a march through the Village of Deerfield.

The event was full of positive energy and remained peaceful while promoting awareness of some of the country’s most significant issues.

Many nearby suburbs have been the site of demonstrations in response to the deaths of Floyd and many other people of color in recent months. Highland Park will hold a March Against Racism & Police Brutality this Sunday, June 7th, 10am to 12pm at Sunset Woods Park.