Under breezy Saturday afternoon blue skies, more than 200 supporters turned out on Nov. 12 in Oak Park at Scoville Park for the Community for Unity Rally, organized by the Suburban Unity Alliance (SUA), a non-profit organization based in Oak Park.

Holding a yellow “Unite Together in Love!” sign is Maureen Meshenberg of Oak Park. On her left is her son Dylan Meshenberg of Elmwood Park, a 2014 Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate. More than 200 supporters on Nov. 12, 2016 in Oak Park at Scoville Park during the Community for Unity Rally by the Suburban Unity Alliance. (Photo Karie Angell Luc / for Chronicle Media)

“We’re pro love,” said Anthony Clark of Oak Park, founder and director of Suburban Unity Alliance and a teacher at (OPRF) Oak Park and River Forest High School.

“Our message, SUA’s message is, more love, less hate.”

Clark passed out safety pins, a symbol of unity and peace and a gesture current with the United Kingdom’s Brexit vote. Safety pins then also suggested solidarity as a people.

“We live in a diverse community,” Clark said.

“We believe in being progressive, we believe in being inclusionary.

“This community is setting an example, that we are a safe haven,” Clark said.

“We’re not going to allow bigots, racists, misogynists (and) homophobes to take hold of our community.

“We’re going to send a message.”

The two-hour rally, which began at noon, included speakers of all ages. People held signs and assembled peacefully

Signing a banner taped to a sidewalk is Maureen Meshenberg of Oak Park. She’s among approximately more than 200 supporters on Nov. 12, 2016 in Oak Park at Scoville Park during the Community for Unity Rally by the Suburban Unity Alliance. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc / for Chronicle Media)

“I’m here today because this nation has been cracked wide open,” said Maureen Meshenberg of Oak Park who attended the rally with her son Dylan Meshenberg of Elmwood Park, a 2014 OPRF graduate.

Was Donald Trump a catalyst for the post election movement?

“He was the instrument, the sword that ripped the underbelly of America,” Maureen Meshenberg said.

“It’s about America,” said Dylan Meshenberg, who was raised in Oak Park.

“We need to get back together and realize that the hate needs to stop,” he said.

Anthony Clark of Oak Park, founder and director of Suburban Unity Alliance, gets the attention of the crowd to start the program on Nov. 12, 2016 in Oak Park at Scoville Park during the Community for Unity Rally by the Suburban Unity Alliance. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc / for Chronicle Media)

Others echoed similar messages as youth played near their families.

“Hopefully, it’s (election week) just the beginning,” said Kellie Kelly, intern minister at Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation (UTUUC) of Oak Park.

Scott Smith of Oak Park, who brought his son Auggie Smith, 6, a first-grader, held a peace symbol flag which he has owned for while, he said, but timely for Nov. 12.

“I think a lot of us woke up to unpleasant news,” Auggie’s father said, recalling the day after the presidential election.

Auggie also carried the flag around the park with his Oak Park pals Ben Levine, 6, and Jose Amador, 7.

Scott Smith of Oak Park holds a flag on Nov. 12, 2016 in Oak Park at Scoville Park during the Community for Unity Rally by the Suburban Unity Alliance. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc / for Chronicle Media)

“We are Hispanic,” Jose’s mother Claudia Amador of Oak Park.

“This country is a big country that gives big opportunities and now we feel fear,” Amador said.

Traffic slowed along Lake Street as motorists glanced at the growing crowd near the corner of North Oak Park Avenue.

The three boys ran around the park, the wind unfurling their flag.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” Scott Smith said.“What is our future?”

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