National movement marches through Huntley

On Saturday, March 24, 2018, approximately 200 people from Huntley gathered at Deickie Park to March For Our Lives. They came together to March, chant, carrying signs they made and converse with each other about Gun reform. There were students from our Huntley High who spoke. Teachers spoke. Those whose lives have been touched by gun violence spoke. Most touching were the young children who spoke asking to be safe in their schools. It was a cold, very windy day and everyone was so grateful to be close to home, come together as a community and support all the Marches taking place across the country. I’m so proud of all who came to give a voice to Huntley on this meaningful day. Thank you.

Geri Levine
Sun City resident

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Throughout the USA, Saturday March 24 was a day to “March for Our Lives” – sparked and led by students reacting to the latest shooting of school children by a young person with an automatic assault weapon.

Students, parents, and teachers from Huntley turned out for it – tightly holding their signs against the gusting cold winds at Route 47 and Mill Street. Some grandparents, neighbors, and veterans from Sun City also joined the local area crowd of over 200 people.

These signs and cheers were waved and shouted for passing motorists near Deicke Park: “Protect our children not our guns…I want to learn in peace…Every town for gun safety…I’m an educator and NOT carrying a gun to work…Moms demand action…No more AR-xx rifles…Pro-life for School Children – Anti the assault weapons…Your guns not as important as my children…Never again.”

To their credit many truckers bellowed their support with their horns, while some cars slowed down to see what was going on before honking their approvals. The crowd cheered and held up their posters when they heard those horns.

The mood of the crowd in one word was: “Action” – too many of these slaughters with military-style assault weapons. Their goal seemed to be “Awareness” – helping people realize the crisis for all children.

One parent told me her child went to the downtown Chicago demonstrations. Some may have travelled to rallies in warmer climates or Washington D.C. to protest. But some braved the freezing 30-degrees and 20 miles/hour bone-chilling winds right here in Huntley.

Demonstrators renewed their courage at a humble, yet beautiful memorial of 17 pink-paper hearts containing the names of each of the innocent murdered victims from the Parkland Florida School. The names were attached to a simple wire fence where people had added flower bouquets. Some attendees signed notebooks on a table expressing their sympathy, prayers, and resolve to take action to ban military-style automatic weapons.

This rally in an American small-town was “up in arms” with cardboard signs “to fight” the apathy in government. A lady held her large American flag closely and said she had wanted “to fly it upside down as a symbol of the desperate times we are in.”

A caring person who said he couldn’t attend the outdoor rally, donated and dropped off boxes of coffee and cups of hot chocolate to the shivering demonstrators.

Constitutionally-guaranteed Freedom of Speech and Petition of Government (First Amendment) were exercised right here in Huntley – something for which to be proud. These brave people deserve a grade of A+.

Ken Kozy
Sun City resident

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