During the first week of June 2020, Greg Pruis, Morrison, IL, was upset. He felt compelled to take action, “after the news last week” about the Police murder of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, MN, and days of rioting across the Country to protest that act. “First, I thought I was willing to stand on the highway and hold a sign.” Then he thought, “Maybe I could get someone to stand with me. So I called Trent Bush; I’ve know Trent a long time. He thought we could find others” to hold a peaceful, nonpolitical, public rally against hate.
Bush was contacted by Everett Pannier, who heard about the upcoming rally on social media. The Mayor offered his support, but said, due to COVID-19 precautions, he would not attend. Bush contacted City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen to see if a permit were needed. Permits are required for parades, but not rallies. He notified Police Chief Brian Melton and invited him. Principals were infomed, too.
On Thursday, June 4, information was publicized on thecity1.com: “On Saturday, June 6, 2020, the public is invited to participate in a Morrison Community Rally Against Hate, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the southeast corner of U. S. Route 30 and Cherry Street, Morrison, IL. This will be a peaceful, nonpolitical gathering. Wear a protective face mask, and maintain six-foot social distancing.”
Enthusiasm spread over the next few days, leading to the event. Citizens had prepared signs to express their similar, yet variable, sentiments: “Choose Love; Strong People Stand Up for Themselves, But Stronger People Stand Up for Others; Justice for All; BLM (Black Lives Matter;) Be Kind; All Lives Matter; End Hate BLM; One Human Race; In Our America Love Wins; No Justice No Peace; Love Not Hate Makes America Great; We Must Do Better; End Hate; Human Decency is Not Political; I Pledge Allegiance…with Liberty and Justice for All.”
A parent held a sign above the head of her biracial youngster. It stated, “I Matter.”
At the rally, Pruis shared his story with the crowd of 50+ adults and children. He and Elizabeth Yaklich sang a couple songs. Pruis also referenced how immigrants have been treated, stating he agrees with border laws but advised, “We don’t need to hate the people” coming into the United States. June is Pride Month, he said, in recognition of LGBT citizens[, whose civil rights have been under attack for decades.]
As a devotee of American history, Pruis quoted two pillars of the Civil Rights Movement, from 1955 and 1963. It troubled him that “we’re still in the same spot.”
“To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try,” spoke Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks. In December 1955 in Montgomery, AL, she refused to give up her seat in the Negro section on a public bus, for a white man. Parks was ordered by the driver to move farther back with other Negroes. She was arrested for violating the City’s segregation laws and fined $10. Her peaceful resistance to racial segregation led to an effective, year-long bus boycott by Negroes throughout Montgomery. Public buses were then desegregated.
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice,” stated Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He first referenced this message in an April 16, 1963, public letter he wrote, while imprisoned in Birmingham[,AL,] Jail. King was jailed for participating in a nonviolent demonstration against segregation without a permit.
There was a convivial atmosphere on the corner, with participants sharing masked conversations and masked children playing. Not everyone kept a six-foot distance, but the crowd was spread out. A large, white signature board (leaning on the electrical pole below) displayed a red heart outlining “Hate” painted in blue. The word was crossed out by a red slash. People wrote their thoughts.
Mark Zinnen, left, and Marc Adami, center, stood on the northeast corner with large signs. Rev. Father James Brzezinski joined them for the photo.
During two, sunny, hours there was enthusiastic drive-by support. Vehicles and motorcyclists honked. People smiled, waved, or raised a fist in solidarity.
At 4:45 Bush and Dykhuizen carried the No Hate sign and led the crowd to Main Street, and they processed west. They returned to the corner at 5:55 and dispersed.
How did Greg Pruis feel, after taking this opportunity to peacefully protest and include others?
“I was really excited about the turnout!” remarked Pruis. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was nice to see all the support [as] people honked. All in all, really great!”