Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Arlington Heights’ North School Park this Saturday in support of reopening local schools. Armed with signs reading “REOPEN D214 HIGH SCHOOLS,” protesters pushed for district authorities to take action immediately.

12 different speakers including parents, students, journalists, social workers, village trustees, and even the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools spoke passionately about why it is important to them that schools reopen.

“Let them play” chants rally host Tony Rosselli in support of allowing student athletes more time on the field. Rosselli finds it imperative that the choice for students to attend schools is returned to the parents.

“I’ve seen the damage that [online school] is doing to our kids by keeping them in isolation all day long,” said Kathy Murschel, one of the rally’s organizers. “Like several speakers have noted, we work really hard to keep our kids off of screens and now they’re being forced to be on there for six hours during their classes.”

Student safety and mental health were also important talking points at the gathering. Adam Russo, a licensed clinical social worker, spoke on this issue and the spike that he has seen in people needing the assistance of social workers. “30 times more kids are going to die of suicide that they are of COVID,” Russo said.

Many speakers cited politics and party affiliation as one of the motivations for schools to stay closed. “This is not about science, it’s about politics,” said Paul Vallas, former Chicago Public Schools CEO, who spoke at the rally.

Rolling Meadows High School student Timothy Bauer spoke passionately to a crowd of supporters. “I’m happy that people are getting more vocal,” Bauer said. “Happy that they are side by side with us, supporting us. It makes me really proud.”