Nearly 100 individuals gathered outside the Oak Lawn Village Hall on Tuesday to protest before the Village Board meeting. They accused the police of mistreating a 14-year-old during a recent Police and Fire Commission meeting. According to a police news release, the incident occurred on August 5. During the public comment period, the teen allegedly used obscene language, prompting officers to escort him away. A woman, later identified as the boy’s mother, interfered and faced charges of obstruction of justice, disorderly conduct, and assault.
Activists from the Arab American Action Network (AAAN) assert a different narrative. They claim multiple officers grabbed the boy, slammed him into a counter, and placed him in a chokehold before ejecting him from the meeting. They also allege the mother was forcefully removed in a similar manner.
Kobi Guillory, an activist and middle school teacher, addressed the crowd before the Village Board meeting on August 25, 2026. He voiced concerns about the police’s treatment of the teen, a sentiment echoed by other activists.
Organizers from AAAN have consistently attended Police and Fire Commission meetings since 2022, highlighting alleged officer misconduct. Police have described the activists’ behavior as disruptive. Alleged actions include shouting obscenities, engaging in physical altercations with officers, knocking over chairs, and encouraging juveniles to disrupt meetings.
Despite these claims, activists argued to the Village Board that police actions, not public participants, fueled the tensions. They reiterated concerns about racism within the Oak Lawn Police Department. This includes a past incident where a 17-year-old was allegedly beaten by an officer, leading to a lawsuit settlement of $825,000. Muhammad Sankari, organizing director of the AAAN, stated unyielding dedication to seeking justice and accountability from the police department.
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