A group of Waukegan community activists took their demands, which included defunding the police, to the streets in front of the home of Third Ward Alderman Gregory Moisio late Monday night prompting criticism from city officials.
Members of the Waukegan People’s Council issued their demands through a megaphone on the sidewalk in front of Moisio’s home starting around 11 p.m. and continuing until just after midnight amid what they described as a large police presence.
Starting with a group of 10, which grew to a little less than 20, Kim Davis of Waukegan, one of the organizers, said the first thing protesters noticed when they arrived in the neighborhood were at least six police cars, as well as unmarked vehicles clearing three blocks near the house.
“The police were blocking off all areas of the neighborhood,” Davis said Tuesday. “When we got to the public area in front of his house, we started chanting and stating our demands on a megaphone. We saw someone looking between the curtains, but no one came out.”
Davis said the group wants to see a reduction in the police budget, with some of the funds currently allocated for the department going to social services to help eliminate the underlying causes of crime.
Though there were a number of police cars in the area, police Commander Joe Florip said no arrests were made. Police learned about the demonstration through social media postings. Extra officers were added to the evening shift.
“Out of an abundance of caution because of what’s going on around the country and just to our north in Kenosha, we wanted to make sure our city and our citizens were protected,” Florid said Tuesday.
Members of the Waukegan People’s Council have spoken at recent City Council meetings expressing their displeasure with an Aug. 3 $30,000 purchase of what they describe as riot gear, and $378,000 to renovate Police Department headquarters.
Colin Byers of Waukegan, another organizer, said the protesters did not feel they were getting a response from the council and Mayor Sam Cunningham, so they decided to stage a demonstration late at night to get more attention.
“Demonstrations are not meant to be convenient,” Byers said Tuesday, referring to the late hour of the event. “We were chanting, ‘No justice no sleep.'”
Byers said the group wants to see a 50-percent cut in the police budget, with the money going to social services.
Moisio said he is more than willing to meet with members of the group to listen to their grievances, but he was not happy with the timing of the demonstration.
“Showing up at 11:30 (p.m.) in front of my house, when my family was trying to sleep and disturbing the neighbors, is not the way to do it,” he said. “Public comment time at council meetings is a monologue. It’s not the time for a discussion. I’m happy to make an appointment.”
Most of the city’s budget goes for police, fire protection and public works. Moisio, a teacher at Waukegan High School for the last 30 years, said social services are offered through Lake County, as well as Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, for children and teens.
Diana Burdette, another organizer, said before the event the group felt it was not getting a satisfactory response from officials and the time of the protest might make a difference.
“If we want to be heard, we need to make a loud noise” she said.
Cunningham, who was in the area observing events, said Tuesday he felt the late hour of the event could have turned into civil unrest. Like Moisio, he believes dialogue is the best way to effect change.
“They’re a small group making a lot of noise at 11 p.m.,” Cunningham said. “They are trying to incite riots in Waukegan. They’re trying to disrupt, not bring people together. They’re no different than a bully on the block.”
