I was amazed to see nearly 600 people show up for the No Kings Rally in Forest Park on Oct. 18. What a wonderful spirit. People of all ages and amazingly diverse, even a couple of dogs. There were neighbors from other villages with many concerns and worries too.
I was especially thrilled to see young people showing up, helping to make a joyful spirit. Doing their part to save democracy but very concerned.
I, too, am very concerned. My worry increased astronomically when I saw what happened in Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods this past weekend. I was especially horrified by the case of the young man who was lawfully protesting when an ICE guy driving by actually pointed a real gun at the young man and then shot a pepper ball gun at hitting him in the neck saying, ‘“Bang-bang you’re dead.”
I could see the indentation in the young man’s neck. Could something like this happen here in Forest Park?
And how about the children out trick-or-treating being invaded by alien-looking monsters, actually threatening them. Are parents already afraid to take their kids out for one of their favorite holidays?
Forest Park is a pleasant little village going about its life. Are we going to be invaded like Broadview was by out-of-control ICE? I have questions and concerns about what might happen here in Forest Park. Is our village prepared? Will it get to the point where our streets homes, businesses will be filled with tear gas and other gasses?
I’m wondering, so I’d like to know what to ask. Who to ask. Is there going to be a village meeting to address the issue? Are we prepared for worst-case scenarios? Especially knowing what already happened in Broadview just minutes away.
Will ICE come into the old Armory and “clean it up a little” as they testified when asked at a village meeting looking into the issue? Clean it up for who? Perhaps for prisoners. Many of whom could be our friends + neighbors who were simply exercising their constitutional rights.
I’d say we better hurry. Things are happening fast.
James Berg
Forest Park