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player ready...After a night of unrest, Joliet’s mayor declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, and he has been in contact with Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the possible need for assistance from the Illinois National Guard.
Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk said Monday that what began as a peaceful protest at the intersection of Larkin Avenue and Jefferson Street turned violent as protest organizers pleaded for calm from those who assembled. While peaceful protesters left the area, others took to the streets, hurling bottles, chunks of asphalt, M-80 explosives and rocks at police officers, O’Dekirk said, noting he saw at least one officer being struck by a thrown rock.
A handful of Joliet stores sustained damage, including a small grocery store that was set on fire Sunday night. At one point, Joliet’s drawbridges were raised to prevent people from getting into the downtown area, said O’Dekirk, who was out with police Sunday night.
“I was really disgusted by what I saw in our city last night,” said O’Dekirk, a former Joliet police officer. “I just can’t imagine anyone from the city of Joliet who would want to destroy our city.”
Both O’Dekirk and Joliet police Chief Alan Roechner decried the acts of Minneapolis police officers in the death of George Floyd. His May 25 death at the hands of police has sparked protests — both peaceful and violent — across the country.
“Everyone in law enforcement, including myself, was disturbed by the senseless death of George Floyd,” Roechner said. “There is no justification for the actions of those officers.”
Both Roechner and O’Dekirk noted that there were peaceful protests Sunday, and said they supported the rights of those groups to gather. But both said they will not tolerate violence and were aware of social media posts suggesting additional violence Monday evening.
“We fully support peaceful protests such as the ones that occurred earlier in the day (Sunday),” Roechner said. “With that being said, we will not condone any violence or criminal disobedience. Anyone participating in these types of unlawful actions will be arrested swiftly and will be charged to the full extent of the law, including federal law if appropriate.”
Roechner said officers arrested 30 people Sunday night and early Monday. Of the 30, 18 were from Joliet, Roechner said.
O’Dekirk said curfew will be enforced but exceptions are available for those who are traveling to or from work or for medical care, members of the media, law enforcement officers, those fleeing a dangerous situation or for federal, state or local elected officials.