Protestors and gang members showed up in a charter bus from Galesburg to protest at the home of an Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) employee. Neighbors in the 400 block of East McClure Street reported hearing a group of people chanting “Free Gaza” from megaphones in the afternoon of Sunday, February 11, 2024. The Kewanee Police Department received a tip regarding a charter bus intending to protest at the home of an IDOC employee for an issue that happened at the IDOC facility in Galesburg, Illinois. The Kewanee Police Department, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police, and the Illinois Department of Corrections responded to the are to assess the situation. According to the Kewanee Police Department, the individuals in the charter bus protested peacefully, listened to instructions from officers, and remained on public property at all times. The group protested for approximately 15 minutes and departed the area. The Kewanee Police Department is monitoring the situation and has increased patrols in the area for the safety of the IDOC employee. If you notice suspicious activity or have information regarding the incident, call the Kewane Police Department at 309-853-1911, or call 911 in case of an emergency.
