In the April 9 meeting of the Oak Park Board of Trustees, a small group of hecklers attempted to shout down President Vicki Scaman and other board members as they conducted board business. If that weren’t enough, their contempt extended beyond our elected representatives to the general public: During public comment, the self-described peace activists turned against their own neighbors, attempting to shout over them as well and yelling nasty things at them when they dared to disagree.
The hecklers’ declared goal was to win hearts and minds on a topic that has nothing to do with any area within board responsibility (in this case, foreign policy). Further, they demanded a vote on an improperly noticed resolution — something that would have placed the board in violation of state law. (This requirement might have been obscure if the village attorney hadn’t explained it for everyone.) The law requires advance notice of certain board actions in the interest of preserving a healthy deliberative process.
I am confident the hecklers believe sincerely in the justice of their cause. But they disgraced themselves, and the kind of behavior they exhibited cannot be tolerated in a democracy.
Especially in these times, the board should be commended for standing up to attacks on the democratic process, pluralism, and the rule of law and in support of the right of all members of the community to express their views.
Gregory Shill
Oak Park