Students Demonstrate at City Hall in Aurora Friday After Disturbance by Students Monday Resulted in Police Officer’s Head Injury

Following a protest and disturbance on Monday, February 9, 2026, between approximately 10:30 a.m. and noon, The Aurora Police Department in suburban Chicago monitored student walkouts across the city, Friday, February 1132, 2026 involving approximately 500 to 600 students from multiple schools. Prior information indicated participation from as many as 11 schools, and additional staffing was in place to help ensure a safe and orderly environment throughout the day.

Students marched to the downtown area and gathered in front of City Hall. Around 1:30 p.m., groups began leaving the downtown area, separating into smaller groups and traveling to different locations throughout the city, with most activity concluding by about 3:00 p.m.

Adult volunteers and marshals were visibly present throughout the day and assisted in guiding participants. For the most part, students remained on sidewalks, did not significantly impede traffic, and complied with verbal direction. Aurora Police officers provided traffic control when needed and, in a few instances where marshals were unable to gain compliance, issued verbal warnings to help maintain safety.

According to the Aurora Police Department, no arrests were made during the day’s events; however, police officers did address several reported disturbances. A vehicle involved in reckless driving was located and issued multiple citations, and two other traffic-related incidents also resulted in citations. Officers responded to a report of an individual being chased by protesters in the downtown area. After the downtown crowd had dispersed, an aggravated battery was reported in the 300 block of North Lincoln Avenue following a fight involving several juveniles. This incident remains under investigation.

“When individuals act lawfully and follow direction, events remain orderly and safe, and the need for enforcement is minimal. When laws are not followed, officers are obligated to act to protect public safety and maintain order.

“We thank the community for your patience and cooperation throughout the day.”

— Aurora Police Department

Here is the official police account of the disturbance on Monday described by Police Chief Matt Thomas …

STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE

“After an initial review of Monday’s student walkouts, I want to provide the community with additional context regarding the progression of events that ultimately led to last night’s protest at Simmons Park.

“The videos currently circulating publicly represent only a brief excerpt from a nearly three-hour-long incident. While the initial intent of the walkout was to be a peaceful protest — an activity we fully respect and recognize as a protected form of expression — the situation later escalated in ways that created public safety concerns.

“Aurora Police Department personnel made repeated efforts to facilitate the protest safely and worked to gain voluntary compliance from students when they entered and remained in active roadways. The department was also in constant communication with school officials who were on scene trying to gain compliance. Students were given multiple opportunities to move out of traffic and continue their demonstration in a safe manner, but those directives were refused. As the incident progressed, officers observed rocks and water bottles being thrown at police vehicles, physical altercations breaking out among students, intimidation of passing motorists, and reckless driving occurring in close proximity to the crowd. Officers continued to provide verbal warnings and advised enforcement action would follow if the unsafe behavior continued.

“At that point, enforcement action was determined to be necessary to restore safety and prevent further harm. These decisions were not made lightly and were based on the totality of circumstances unfolding over an extended period of time. Officers coordinated a measured response focused on identifying individuals contributing to the unlawful behavior and issuing local ordinance citations in an effort to gain compliance and stabilize the situation.

“An officer then approached two individuals who had been identified as primary contributors to the ongoing unsafe and unlawful behavior. Despite clear verbal direction, the encounter quickly escalated when the two individuals pulled away and actively attempted to evade the officer, prompting several additional officers to come to that officer’s assistance.

“Video shared online shows an officer tackling one of the individuals who appeared to be compliant. However, brief video clips do not capture the full sequence of events. Officers were encountering active and ongoing resistance as they attempted to take individuals into custody. No additional force beyond the takedown was used to complete the arrests despite continued active resistance from those involved.

“A third individual then entered the incident and punched an officer in the head while that officer was attempting to take another person into custody. The offender was later treated for a hand injury sustained while punching the officer, and the officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a head injury requiring six staples. Several other involved officers were also injured and received medical attention.
It is important to note we had two other student walkouts that same day at different high schools. In those instances, students remained on the sidewalks, complied with officer direction, and the events were managed safely with only a couple of officers assigned to monitor each gathering. There were no enforcement issues.

“In contrast, this incident was markedly different. Participants repeatedly entered and remained in active roadways for an extended period of time and refused repeated directives to move. As a result of that dangerous behavior, more than 20 officers were required to manage traffic control, block intersections, anticipate crowd movement, and respond to disturbances. We were also required to hold over an additional shift of officers due to the length and impact of the event.

As with any use of force, this incident will undergo a thorough review that includes examination of all available video, reports, and evidence to ensure actions taken were consistent with department policy, training, and the law. Because the individuals taken into custody are minors, the Illinois Juvenile Court Act strictly limits the release of law enforcement records, including video footage, related to juvenile offenders. The department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continued engagement with our community while complying with all applicable legal and privacy requirements.

“The Aurora Police Department remains firmly committed to respecting everyone’s constitutional right to peacefully protest, including students. That commitment must also be balanced with our responsibility to protect the safety of those participating, as well as the broader community.

“We appreciate that last night’s gathering concluded without further incident and thank those who demonstrated peacefully and responsibly, while helping to maintain a safe environment. We encourage all members of our community — especially our young people — to continue expressing their voices in ways that are peaceful, lawful, and respectful of others.

In Service,
Matt Thomas,
Chief of Police

The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent review in connection with concerns regarding the allegations that excessive force was used by the Aurora Police Department during the coordinated student walkouts on February 9, 2026.

The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office has received all body-worn camera footage, reports, and related evidence from the Aurora Police Department. A comprehensive review of all available materials will be undertaken to determine whether the actions taken were consistent with department policy, established training, and applicable law.

Upon completion of this review, the office will issue a full report outlining its findings to the department and to the public. The public’s patience is appreciated as this independent review is conducted.

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