Forest Park turns out: No Kings protesters line Roosevelt Road

Hundreds of people lined Roosevelt Road near the Bulk Mail Center in Forest Park on Saturday morning. Attendees  protested President Donald Trump during the local No Kings rally.

Toting signs and encouraging support from passing cars and trucks, the protesters were especially focused on opposition to current deportation efforts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Participants described the experience as peaceful and invigorating with a layer of anger and frustration simmering near the surface.

“It was super spirited: Signs, costumes, lots of families and young kids,” said Paul Price, a Forest Parker who attended along with his wife and son. Price said his family attended the June No Kings rally in downtown Chicago but chose to stay local for this event. 

“We wanted to be part of standing up and reflecting what this community stands for,” he said. “We all share a disgust, especially related to ICE and immigration,” said Price.

The event was organized by Walter Mitchell Jr. He is a United States Postal Service employee who works at the Bulk Mail Center in Forest Park. Mitchell and a small group of colleagues have been protesting along Roosevelt Road every Saturday since spring to bring attention to the USPS use of an outside contractor within the center.

He said he decided to work with Indivisible, an activist network which has led the No Kings protests to organize an event in Forest Park. Mitchell, who lives in south suburban Crete, said he was amazed at the crowd that assembled Saturday. 

“I did not expect that many people,” Mitchell said of a group he estimated to be between 200 and 500 protestors.

“It makes me want to move to Forest Park,’ Mitchell said. “It was so beautiful, so many diverse beliefs. There were some Republicans, but they told me ‘No more.’”

Mitchell and others were also surprised by the enthusiastic reaction of vehicles travelling Roosevelt Road. 

“It was off the chain, the response of drivers. Cars, trucks, buses, ambulances all honking,” said Mitchell.

Ken Snyder, another Forest Parker at the protest, said, “The cars were responding very positively. I was very happy to be out there, glad to be in a crowd. The vibe was really positive with a layer of anger and frustration.”

Mitchell cited the cooperation of the Forest Park Police Department and its chief, Ken Gross. 

“Chief Gross was completely helpful. He told me what was the policy. What can we do? What can’t we do?”

Gross, in a conversation with the Review Monday afternoon, said, “Mr. Mitchell contacted us. There was no permit needed. We had police officers driving by and monitoring. It was a peaceful rally. From a policing viewpoint, it was a non-event.”