Protest At Plainfield North High School To Take Place Tuesday

PLAINFIELD, IL —Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek said in a post on social media that the department is aware of protest planned for 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Plainfield North High School.

Konopek said "we continue to gather information, and put plans in place to support both the event, and the safety of all our residents, and all who come to our Village."

"The Village of Plainfield and the Plainfield Police Department strongly believe in, and support all 1st Amendment gatherings and the Freedom of Speech," he said in the post.

Patch has reached out to Kapri Bibbs, the organizer of the demonstration, but did not get an immediate response.

In a post on Facebook, Bibbs reminded attendees that the event is to be a non-violent protest.

"Just talked to the Plainfield police department for the last 30 mins on the phone they will be supporting our NON VIOLENT PROTEST," he wrote. "REPEAT DO NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS OF ANY SHAPE OR FORM ONLY WATER BOTTLES."

Village Trustee Cally Larson told the Patch she is firmly behind the rights of residents.

"We have had peaceful planned protests in our community with no issues," she said. "What I don't stand behind is rioting, vandalism and dangerous tactics to harm communities, our residents, businesses and our law enforcement officials. After seeing the events in Joliet Aurora and Naperville, those who partake in rioting and vandalism should be prosecuted to the full extent of local, state and even federal laws."

She also said she expects Plainfield to "continue moving forward in collaboration with peaceful protests."

In response to news of the protest, a community member, who is not involved with the plans for the peaceful protest, also posted on local garage sale Facebook pages inviting other "like minded civilians" post to the protest.

"Let's show up in force with arms to protect our community and businesses from rioters and thugs," the post says. "We shouldn't allow outsiders to destroy our community and local businesses."

Police and event organizers have been notified of the garage sale page post.

As of 6:42 o.m. in the evening, the police said the protest was peaceful.

The Plainfield PD reminds residents to call 911 if they notice anything and as of now, there is no curfew planned in Plainfield for tonight.

Editor's Note: Due to a copy editing error, the headline and lede of this story contained inaccurate information conflating a planned peaceful protest with a call on Facebook for an armed counter-protest, and the subhead implied that a village trustee was aware of plans for armed counter-demonstrators to attend the protest. The protest organizer stressed the event is to be unarmed and non-violent. Patch apologies for the error, and trustee Cally Larson was unaware of a call for armed counter-demonstrators to attend.