Plainfield Residents Gather To Show Black Lives Matter

PLAINFIELD, IL — Two Plainfield residents organized a small, peaceful gathering in Grande Park Friday and Saturday to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Shelly Lowe and Tassia Fitzgerald discussed this on Thursday and within just 24 hours, they were able to receive a great deal of support from the local families.

"As an African American mom myself in the current social climate, I felt a need to show our black community that there are many residents that understand and are with us," Lowe said. "We wanted to show that there are people in our subdivision who believe in equal rights."

The 30 participants on Friday and 70 on Saturday stood on either sides of the road from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., and held up signs for the cars, pedestrians, and bikers. They showed support by honking, waving, or giving a thumbs up. Residents that couldn't stay during the whole duration stopped by to drop off water, Gatorade, popsicles, snacks, and sandwiches for the group that consisted of babies to senior citizens.

"We didn't have any speakers, but we did have many neighbors meeting each other — some for the first time — and neighbors having socially distanced conversations while holding their signs," Lowe said. "I didn't consult with the police department or the village. It was a small family friendly event for our neighbors within our neighborhood on our neighborhood grounds."

She said there are "many misconceptions out there and I wanted to show that it is possible to have a family friendly peaceful protest."

"There was nothing political or anti-police, no bad language, no put downs, no looting or rioting, and we left the area as clean as we found it," she said. "Just a diverse group of neighbors sharing the message that Black Lives Matter and equality should be for everyone."

In her advertisement on social media, Lowe had requested that people wear masks and/or keep distance between families.

"It was a three-hour event, and we had families coming and going the entire time so it never felt crowded and there was plenty of room to spread out. Most families brought their own masks, water and sanitizer," she said.

Illinois has seen several demonstrations in the last week after George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis May 25, after he knelt on Floyd's neck while trying to arrest him.

Lowe said she felt good "to take a break from everything negative happening in the world and to be around supportive people."

"It was a good outlet for people to have their voices heard in a positive manner. I think it is great to share the message to those closest to us, the people in our community," she said. "If one family driving by or one family attending the gathering had a much-needed (and uncomfortable) conversation about racial inequalities, and what can be done about it, then I consider it a success."

She said she would like her children to be the first generation in the family "to not have to fight and protest for equality and for their lives to matter."

"And if they do have to continue to fight and protest, I want them to know there is an entire community of diverse people that will stand beside them."