Just like many cities across the United States, protests in Aurora were held Sunday over the death of George Floyd. My daughter, Kyra, was one of those protestors. She said the protest was comprised of many different groups. She was part of an event planned by Indivisible Aurora. That group made very clear that violence would not be tolerated. Their plan was to meet at the Aurora Police Department after a brief event in Naperville at 1 p.m..
The protest speeches were on the lawn adjacent to the Aurora Police Department building on Indian Trail. There were speeches by mayor Richard Irvin, Police Chief Kristen Ziman, and a few others, including the organizer, David Williams, Jr… The group marched to I-88 and some went to the Fox Valley Outlet Mall and eventually downtown. By 5:30 p.m. my daughter and her friends had blisters and decided to go home. For them it was about civic duty to speak up for others.
I understand that there is a spectrum among those who gather in the streets. Many simply want to exercise their First Amendment rights. There are others who feel this is not enough. Some say they have been trying for years to have their voices heard concerning police brutality and nothing is changing, so it’s time to get the attention of authorities in more extreme ways. Then there are those who don’t care about any cause except themselves and want to take advantage of such situations to perpetrate crimes.
I heard a podcast called “Good Morning Aurora.” The gentleman said that the police station is the wrong place to start a protest. It would not be a comfortable place for many blacks to vent their anger. It made me think about my white privilege. I am comfortable around police. So let’s do our various parts to bring about change. Those who calmly can speak truth to power and enter into dialog with them should do that. Those who can challenge others within a group who have descended into violence, should do that. Those who aren’t comfortable protesting in the streets but, can write letters to leaders, support minority businesses and artists, or sign petitions, should do that. Those who can make others reconsider assumptions, should do that.
I was happy to see clean-up crews in Aurora Monday. Those of us who live here and are involved with the community, know that our downtown is made up of small, family-owned establishments that are part of this Aurora’s character and they would never want to harm their fellow citizens.
If change is to come, we need to work together. We need to listen to one another, not just shout at one another and believe the worst of others. We need to understand that most police truly do serve and protect and most protestors are not looters. Then we need to hold to account the fringe elements on both sides. When there is civil unrest, we can be an example to the rest of the State and Country of what it means to be Aurora Strong.