Former Bear Desmond Clark leads protest march in Vernon Hills
Former Chicago Bears tight end Desmond Clark and his wife led a peaceful march to Vernon Hills High School on Wednesday, nearly a month after a racially charged confrontation there led to their arrests.
The Clarks and about 35 supporters gathered at the Vernon Hills police station and then walked about a mile to the school, where their son is a student.
The Clarks, who are black, have claimed their son has been targeted at the school because of his skin color.
In remarks to the media after the procession arrived at the school, Desmond Clark said he's met with Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 officials and they've pledged to work together to deal with diversity issues in the community.
"We're happy that the conversation has started here," Clark said. "Now it's about progressing forward."
Clark declined to discuss the specifics of that meeting. He said he hopes to meet with district officials again in a week or two.
When asked about Wednesday's protest, Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 spokeswoman Mary Todoric said the district's ethnic, racial and cultural diversity "is one of our greatest strengths."
"We remain committed to adapting and changing as needed to better ensure equality and fairness for all of our students, as well as continuing to make our high schools places where all students feel respected and celebrated," Todoric said.
Todoric described the talk as "an initial conversation about coming together to start a dialogue about the issues at hand."
The charges against Desmond Clark and his wife, Maria, stem from a heated confrontation with Vernon Hills High officials at the school Aug. 29.
The disturbance occurred during the school's Kick Off Dance. It was prompted by an administrative decision not to allow the Clarks' son to participate in a talent portion because of a prior school code violation, according to a police report.
The dispute was witnessed by several people and captured on video, the report said.
Maria Clark was accused of yelling at and threatening a school employee, the report said.
Desmond Clark cursed, repeatedly used a racial epithet and yelled about racial discrimination, the report states.
The Clarks were arrested Sept. 11 and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Maria Clark also was charged with misdemeanor assault.
The Clarks' attorney has called the charges "frivolous, absurd and wrongful." The Clarks are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 2.
Participants in Wednesday's march held signs supporting the Clarks and chanted for justice and peace.
Upon reaching the school, many stopped in a grassy area and knelt for a prayer. They prayed for the family and to "heal" Vernon Hills High School.
The Clarks talked to reporters afterward.
Maria Clark's comments were brief. She described herself as a mother protecting her child.
Desmond Clark said he was surprised he and his wife are in legal trouble. But he also said he's glad this situation happened to him and not a different family.
"It could have been another family in a different position who ... didn't have the platform to stand up against it," Clark said.
The Clarks' son remains enrolled at Vernon Hills High and was at football practice during the protest, Desmond Clark said.