Orland Park, IL - Earlier this week on February 5th, Orland Park hosted a community Town Hall event. The Town Hall was meant to provide a vital platform for healthy discourse where community members are encouraged to ask questions, voice their opinions on specific issues or policies, and engage directly with government officials. Residents of the village passionately addressed Mayor Pekau and the Orland Park Board of Trustees, urging them to adopt a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Their collective efforts, including the collection of 800 petition signatures, urged meaningful dialogue and aimed to address pressing concerns within the community. However, Mayor Pekau's remarks suggested that Arab Americans who support a ceasefire in Gaza should "go to another country."

Orland Park, IL - Earlier this week on February 5th, Orland Park hosted a community Town Hall event. The Town Hall was meant to provide a vital platform for healthy discourse where community members are encouraged to ask questions, voice their opinions on specific issues or policies, and engage directly with government officials. Residents of the village passionately addressed Mayor Pekau and the Orland Park Board of Trustees, urging them to adopt a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Their collective efforts, including the collection of 800 petition signatures, urged meaningful dialogue and aimed to address pressing concerns within the community. However, Mayor Pekau's remarks suggested that Arab Americans who support a ceasefire in Gaza should "go to another country."