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Evanston Police Respond to October 31 Protest in Downtown Evanston

EVANSTON, IL - On Saturday night, October 31, a group of approximately 150 protesters, including Northwestern students, gathered in downtown Evanston at Sheridan Road and Clark Street as part of a series of organized protests. The crowd marched into downtown Evanston, with some protesters throwing rocks and bricks at police officers, lighting fireworks in the direction of officers, pointing lasers at police officers’ eyes, and using umbrellas to cover individuals graffitiing streets, stop signs, and electric boxes, and damaging property. 

When it was clear the event had transitioned from a peaceful protest to that of intentional destruction, officers deployed pepper spray to prevent injury to bystanders and police officers. Contrary to misinformation being circulated on social media, no tear gas was used. Smoke seen in any photos is from fireworks used by the protesters, not tear gas. 

One officer from the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS), which was called in to assist, was injured and transported to a local hospital with an eye injury from a firework. One arrest was made of a female Northwestern student who hit a police officer. There have been 18 reports of criminal damage to property.

This morning, Mayor Stephen Hagerty sent a letter to Northwestern President Morton Schapiro regarding the ongoing student protests in Evanston. The City of Evanston and the Evanston Police Department support and respect the rights of all individuals to protest peacefully and safely in Evanston. However, those harming the health and safety of officers and the public, damaging property, or otherwise violating the law will be arrested.

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