'Beyond The Borders' Protest Planned In Tinley Park

TINLEY PARK, IL — A group formed by two sisters from Orland Park is planning their second march against racism in Tinley Park. Members of Beyond the Borders Chicago intend to meet at Central Middle School, 18146 Oak Park Ave. at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, organizers have confirmed.

Plans are for the march, held in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, to begin at Central and head north on Oak Park Avenue toward 171st Street.

Janet Martin and Jennifer Martin formed the group in recent days and thus far have held one protest, which occurred in Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood a week ago. Beyond the Borders was created under the umbrella of the "Beauty and Brains" non-profit that since 2018 has provided educational resources and networking opportunities to African-American women in college.

The Mount Greenwood march drew about 150 protestors and was met with a few dozen counterprotestors along the 111th Street route, participants have said. A number of neighborhood residents joined in the march, according to participant Dawn Liddicoatt of Beverly.

The Martin sisters say their goal is to hold marches in areas outside inner-city Chicago, specifically in neighborhoods that are predominantly white.

"Having marches in these neighborhoods, where you see a few residents stuck in their ways, allows us to give a space for allies to step forward and hold their neighbors accountable," Jennifer Martin said.

Janet Martin said the Mount Greenwood protest "turned out pretty amazing."

"I didn't know what to expect, but there were so many Mount Greenwood residents marching with us, and standing with us in support," she said.