North Cook News

Des Plaines Alderman Carla Brookman called out activists at a local city council meeting for engaging in anti-speech action. 

Brookman was interrupted several times during her defense of an event to be held by conservatives at the Des Plaines Theatre at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 8. The theater is located at

“This demonstrates the lack of tolerance that you people are demonstrating,” Brookman said during a city council meeting. 

"It shows a real lack of tolerance for opposing opinions, viewpoints, or even conversation and discussion. So if you don't allow discussion, that is a real problem in our society today. We have to be able to exchange viewpoints and ideas in a respectful fashion. We all listened to you and we didn't interrupt. So I think that you have to learn to show the same respect to other people. Again, you're doing it.” 

Brookman was speaking in favor of an event held by Americans United for Children. 

“It's a very diverse guest panel and they're defending children and speaking of reforming education that transcends sexuality, race, heritage and creed,” Brookman said.

Gays Against Groomers is one of the organizations involved in the event. 

It promoted Brookman’s speech on Twitter. 

“MUST WATCH: Alderman Carla Brookman of Des Plaines, IL SLAMMED meeting attendees for their intolerance towards opposing viewpoints and defended our organization and founder, the event we're attending, and freedom of speech. MAKE THIS WOMAN GO VIRAL! She deserves it,” Gays Against Groomers said on Twitter.

The Coalition for Kids event is being held on Feb. 8 at the Des Plaines Theatre located at 1476 Miner St. in Des Plaines. Parents' rights advocacy group Awake Illinois is responsible for the event. A donation of $5 is suggested for attendees.

“A diverse group of advocates gathers together to transform the conversation on issues affecting children. A $5 donation covers security for the event. Pizza and drinks may be purchased at the theater,” Awake Illinois said on its website. 

The list of speakers includes WVON’s Black Excellence Hour host P Rae, former U.S. Senate candidate and owner of WKCG -AMMatt Dubiel, Chair of Moms for Liberty Lake CountyMarsha McClary, award-winning Latino author Dr. Robert Renteria, member of the New Federal State of ChinaPrince Li, Vandana Jhingan with TV ASIA’s Midwest Bureau, founder of Gays against Groomers Jaimee Mitchell, former Lt. Governor candidate Stephanie Trussell, founder of Awake Illinois Shannon Adcock and GOP Precinct Committeemen District 141 Terry Newsome.

"You're invited to this dynamic presentation with a diverse guest panel. Defending children and reforming education transcends sexuality, race, heritage, and creed," the invitation reads.

"Together, everyday Americans are united for the children. Join us!"

Those trying to silence Brookman during the meeting also sought to silence those speakers by removing permission from the city to hold the event on city-owned property.

Awake Illinois’ events have repeatedly been targeted by anti-speech activists seeking to shut down public gatherings held by those wither opinions differing from their own. 

A previous event was previously scheduled to be held at the Hilton Oak Brook was canceled after the hotel chose to withdraw from the contract. The move came after anti-speech activists flooded the hotel with phone calls. 

“We had the location listed and in true, anti-free speech mob fashion they've been calling the property, demanding that they cancel us and they did it,” Adcock previously told DuPage Policy Journal. 

“Across the country, the anti-free speech mob smears who they fear. So they fear Awake Illinois. They fear for liberty. They fear anyone that's going to disrupt a system that is trying to destroy the Constitution of the United States, destroy parental rights and destroy liberty.”