Bolingbrook’s first “gay pride toter march” ended seconds after a covert branch of the Bolingbrook Police Department fired tear gas canisters at the marchers.

“I was just there to watch the parade,” said Maria, a resident of the Winston Village subdivision.  “Next thing I know, there are clouds of gas in the air, and I can’t stop crying.  How could (Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar) order this?”

An email from the Bolingbrook Anti-toter and Anti-negativity Task Force said it was necessary to disrupt the march: “The mere presence of illegal garbage toters and illegally oversized recycling toters in our village is an act of aggression on behalf of the Cook County Democrats.  We sent a powerful message that any attempt to frighten our residents into owning garbage toters will positively be met with force!”

According to marchers interviewed for this article, they planned to start in Winston Village and then march to the entrance of the Bolingbrook Promenade. The marchers insisted that they were not going to step into Promenade.

Claudia, an organizer who asked that we not use her last name, explained the purpose of the march:  “The Bolingbrook Pride Picnic is great, but it’s a mainstream event.  We felt that there should be an alternative event to remind residents that Pride started out as a revolt.  Now we didn’t want to vandalize property—there’s too much of that occurring here.  Instead, we decided that the best rebellious act we could perform was to hold an unsanctioned toter march.  I guess we didn’t realize how much Roger hates toters.”

Dave, a Winston Hills resident, said he witnessed the task force’s attack on the parade:  “I was just looking out my window when I saw three armored personnel carriers parked in front of my home.  All of a sudden, they fired their grenade launchers.  It was such a loud boom.  My ears are still ringing.  I could hear the screams from across the block. I was horrified.  Then a man in a strange uniform came to my door.  He assured me that he was with the village and they were just driving back an invasion of Cook County Democrats.  I was so relieved to hear that.  Thank you, Roger.”

According to organizers, none of the marchers were from Cook County, and most were from Bolingbrook.

The organizers said there were no arrests, and all the marchers were unharmed.

“Our eyes may sting,” said Claudia.  “But we will not go away.”

She also added that the organizers are now planning a surprise dance performance to protest homophobia.

“We’ve already selected the music, and we’re working on the dance.  Oh, and (Trans Exclusive Radical Feminists) are not welcome at our events.  We know that Trump’s discriminatory policies won’t stop with the trans community.  So we have to stand together!”

The Bolingbrook police released a statement denying the existence of the task force and said they had no record of a march taking place in Bolingbrook.

When asked to comment, Claar replied: “Mike says I need to think more positive thoughts.  So I’m thinking that I am on the cusp of being able to walk from my home, have lunch at Portillo’s, and then order a shake from Andy’s Custard before I walk home.  Do you think Bob would have brought Andy’s Custard to my subdivision?”

Also in the Babbler:

Former trustee denies spying on Bolingbrook United members’ text messages
Bolingbrook teenagers ‘selected’ for summer internships at Clow UFO Base
Russian drones spotted at Cavalcade of Planes
God to smite Bolingbrook on 6/6/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction.