Oak Park Mayor's Home Vandalized During Board Meeting

OAK PARK, IL — A protest outside Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb's home during a virtual village board meeting Tuesday turned into property vandalism and destruction, according to Wednesday Journal. During the meeting, the mayor and village board trustees voted 5-2 against a resolution to defund the Oak Park Police Department, brought forward by Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla. According to the news report, at least 100 protestors including many teens gathered outside the mayor's home, some sitting on property to demand the board pass the resolution aimed at making changes to the Oak Park police force by 2021.

When the vote was in, the protests grew so loud and distracting that the board of trustees ended the meeting early before other police reform agenda items were discussed, according to Wednesday Journal. Abu-Taleb to the news source that he heard "pounding" and "stamping." Outside in Abu-Taleb's backyard, Some of the protesters are accused of throwing eggs at the house, overturning patio furniture, spray-painting images of pigs and hands raising middle fingers, smashing potted plants, and more. Walker-Peddakotla was asked to participate in a joint condemnation of the property damage, but wouldn't, Abu-Taleb said, making him believe she was behind it.

Related: Oak Park Board Votes 5-2 Against Defund Police Resolution

"I understand why they want to protest, and I'm all for that," Abu-Taleb told Wednesday Journal. "But one does not violate other people's rights and civil liberties to seek a change."

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The resolution at the center of Tuesday's meeting calls for reducing the amount spent on policing in the village by reducing the number of budgeted sworn in officers during the fiscal year 2021 and "commit to making further reductions in future budget cycles.

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In addition, Walker-Peddakotla calls for "Using the dollars from defunding the police to create a non-police response team for mental health crises, homelessness, and domestic disturbances" and "Acknowledging the harm done by policing in Oak Park and across the nation by enacting a Memorial Day for victims of police violence."

Despite the majority vote, Walker-Peddakotla said that this was one of the most productive conversations the board has had, and expressed how grateful she was.

She then asked the board what data they think is needed to make future decisions on this topic.