Elmhurst community focuses on spreading love during Ron DeSantis appearance

Photo by — Ilana Garnica

On Feb. 20, the Elmhurst community came together in two events focused on spreading love, building a sense of community, and support for various minority groups. 

These events came to light after news that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would speak in a “Back the Blue” event hosted at the Knights of Columbus, located at 37 S York St. in downtown Elmhurst.

A rally was located outside the Knights of Columbus, hosted by Equality Illinois, Indivisible Chicago, Indivisible Oak Park Area, Illinois National Organizations of Women (NOW), and the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI).

For Denise Poloyac, a board member of Indivisible Chicago, rallying against politicians has been a major part of their life for the past six years. 

“We’re here today because we spent the last six years protesting Trump and everything he represents — the hate, the MAGA, the anti-trans, the anti-LGBTQ, anti-immigrants, anti-abortion, and everything else that they represent and clearly Ron DeSantis is part of that,” said Poloyac. 

They continued,  “We want to send a message that there’s no room for hate here in Illinois and there’s no room for Ron DeSantis here in Illinois.”

Protestors at the rally had similar agendas for being there to show that DeSantis was unwelcome in Illinois. 

“I am an immigrant, and I don’t like what he’s doing against the immigrants. America was made of immigrants, it’s all part of immigrants,” said Paul Mchugh.  “Look at the struggles they’re having in California, trying to pick fruits because they don’t have enough workers. But Ron DeSantis, he’s just a cruel, Nazi fascist.”

Photo by — Sarah Glees

“I am here because I am against hate,” said another protestor, Mari Van Meter. “I am for equity, human rights, LGBTQ rights, and just general rights of women and people in general.”

The Elmhurst Police Department refused to comment on the rally, and on DeSantis’ appearance. 

The rally lasted an hour, with one person being arrested. 

While the rally was going on, Brewpoint was hosting an event encouraging messages of love toward LGBTQ+ youth, at their Founder location at 124 W. Park Ave, alongside the Elmhurst Pride Collective (EPC). 

The Board President of the EPC, Stephanie Wargin wanted to make sure that the event was a safe place for all who attended. 

“We wanted to create an event where people could come together in a safe place and remind each other that this is who we are as a community,” said Wargin.

They continued, “We think it’s really important for LGBTQA+ youth to feel supported in their neighborhoods, their schools, their homes, and we try to make sure that [Elmhurst] is a place they feel supported.”

Brewpoint CEO and founder Melissa Villanueva felt similar to Wargin in making sure that the LGTBQ+ community felt supported by their Elmhurst Community. 

“For Brewpoint our mission is to build a more inclusive and equitable world so it was really a no-brainer for us to hold an event like this,” said Villanueva. “Having an event like this showcases that Elmhurst is not a place where people of the LGBTQ+ community aren’t welcome, we very much are.”

Photo by — Ilana Garnica