Minutemen out, but protests going on

The Illinois Minuteman Project isn't coming to McHenry County today, but protesters for and against the group still are.

The two sides of the illegal immigration debate are planning corresponding demonstrations expected to draw hundreds of passionate activists to Crystal Lake's McCormick Park this afternoon.

The protests are going on despite news Thursday that the reason they had been planned -- a seminar put on by the Illinois Minuteman Project at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn -- had been canceled.

"We still want to advocate a reasonable, rational discussion of the issue," said Patrick Murfin of the McHenry County Peace Group, one of at least three organizations participating in the anti-Minuteman vigil.

Across the park, the Minuteman Midwest will hold its own demonstration.

The group's president, Diane Evertsen, said while Minuteman Midwest has no affiliation with the Illinois Minuteman Project, its members were upset by the forced cancellation of the group's event.

"It's unfortunate that a group is not allowed to hold a private educational event because of the fear of protesters," Evertsen said. "It kind of halts your rights to free speech."

While minor skirmishes have erupted at similar events in Arlington Heights and Elgin, both sides are promising to remain peaceful Saturday.

"We have never caused problems anywhere we have been," Evertsen said.

Both demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the park along Route 14, between McHenry and Dole avenues.

The Illinois Minuteman Project was forced to cancel its seminar Thursday after a McHenry County judge entered a restraining order barring it from holding its event at the hotel as planned.

Hotel management went to court seeking the order, citing concerns over the safety of its workers and guests. Their lawyers also claimed that the Illinois Minuteman Project misled them about the nature of the event and the likelihood it would spark protests.