March For Our Lives: Watch Hundreds Gather For Frankfort Rally

FRANKFORT, IL — Hundreds of high school students and adults marched from Frankfort's Breidert Green down Colorado Avenue and across the pedestrian bridge over LaGrange Road during Saturday afternoon's March for Our Lives. The rally also featured adult and teen speakers as part of a call for stricter gun laws in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people.

The demonstration was planned by Southwest Suburban Activists and Moms Demand Action, and organizers received a grant from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit aimed at ending gun violence and building safer communities, according to Emily Biegel, director and founder of SWSA.

"It was amazing," Emily Biegel, director and founder of SWSA, said of the event. "The kids did better than I expected."

"It's been really run to listen to them talk and their grasp on current events and listen to them talk about what is important [to them] and what needs to be done to really solve this is amazing," she added.

WATCH: Check out Patch's LIVE coverage from the rally, including interviews with participants:

A counter-protest had been planned Saturday, according to Frankfort police and march organizers. But expect for a brief bit of horn-honking from a circling car, no counter-protesters were seen near Breidert Green or along the march route.

With the March For Our Lives behind her, Biegel said she's looking ahead to the next chance for activism, even if she doesn't necessarily know what that is. Another national walkout, however, is set for April 20, the anniversary of the Columbine shooting.

"Anything the kids ask a to do to amplify our voices is next," she said.

ORIGINAL STORY

FRANKFORT, IL — South suburban students are joining adults Saturday to participate in Frankfort's companion demonstration to the nationwide March for Our Lives event to call for stricter gun laws and honor the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. Organizers expect around 300 people to participate in the march and rally, which will start on Breidert Green in downtown Frankfort before moving to the LaGrange Bridge.

March leaders also are expecting counter-protesters at the event. Frankfort police have spoken to organizers on both sides, and Deputy Chief William Dowding said he doesn't expect any trouble Saturday.

"Everyone has been amicable," he said, adding that this isn't the first time the department has had to deal with competing demonstrations. Pro-President Donald Trump supporters came out for the "A Day Without A Woman" March on Breidert Green last March.

"If past practice is followed, there shouldn't be any problems," Dowding said.

More Patch Coverage:

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The deputy chief emphasized that the biggest thing participants on both sides can do is be respectful to one another. And that extends to individuals who aren't a part of either demonstration.

"In my world, that's the biggest concern I have," Dowding said.

The following is a look at what you need to know before you go to the march Saturday.

Frankfort March for Our Lives: The Basics

When: The rally starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24. Participants are set to begin the march at around 2:45 p.m.

Where: Breidert Green in downtown Frankfort. Organizers are still finalizing the exact route for the march.

March Route: Participants will gather at Briedert Green at Kansas and White streets in downtown Frankfort and march along Old Plank Road Trail to the pedestrian bridge that extends over LaGrange Road.

Weather: A winter storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service, and heavy snow is likely between 1 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. Between 3 to 5 inches of snow could fall, according to the forecast.

More Information: Go to the Facebook page for Southwest Suburban Activists for details and how to register for the Frankfort rally. For information about other marches across the country, go to the national website for the event.

March for Our Lives rally Saturday, March 24, in Frankfort. (Photo by Joe Vince | Patch editor)