Northbrook Village Board Condemns Acts of Hate

NORTHBROOK, IL — As Illinois State Police are urging residents to be vigilant over the next several days after increased online violent extremist messaging, the Northbrook Village Board released a statement Friday, condemning acts of hate.

The statement reads:

"The Northbrook Village Board would like to reaffirm on behalf of the community that we unequivocally condemn all acts of hate. As a Village, we stand together with our community, family members, friends, and neighbors. Northbrook is an inclusive community, and we welcome all. We reject hate directed at any person or group based on race, religion, color, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or any other feature that distinguishes us from one another. We stand together as neighbors and reject discrimination and hatred."

On Thursday, ISP sent out a message on social media warning that extremist groups have declared Saturday, Feb. 25, as a "National Day of Hate." Gov. J.B. Pritzker retweeted the message. According to police, neo-Nazi and other anti-Semite groups are encouraging hate actions for the weekend. The online threats and call to action were leaked in an internal memo by the New York Police Department’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau.

Earlier this week in Glenview, Village President Mike Jenny proclaimed the Tuesday "United Against Hate Day" in Glenview during a Village Board meeting and encouraged residents to take a pledge against prejudice as part of the "Cook County United Against Hate" campaign.

Last year, a number of residents across the North Shore and Chicagoland received packages of antisemitic letters in their driveways, including Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton (D-14th District).

"The concept of this campaign is to call out [the prejudice because] hate against one is hate against all. There are too many symbols of hate that we see in our society on a regular basis," Britton, who resides in Glenview, said at the meeting. "This new symbol that we have is I hope going to be a unifying focus."

On May 25, 2021, Northbrook Village President Kathryn Ciesla and the Village Board of Trustees adopted a resolution endorsing the Welcoming and Inclusive Community Pledge.

RELATED:

• ISP Warns Public 'Extremist' Groups Planning 'Day Of Hate' On Saturday
• Glenview Encourages Community To Take Pledge Condemning Hate