Wilmette family’s Black Lives Matter sign, pride flag reportedly stolen — one of them for the third time

Three times is a pattern.

Cheryl and Jeff Axelrod can’t help but see it that way after the Black Lives Matter sign outside their Wilmette home went missing once again.

This time, on Monday, April 24, the sign was missing along with the a large rainbow pride flag attached to the family’s house

Cheryl Axelrod believes it’s a sign of intolerance within the neighborhood.

“It reminds us that there is still a lot of work to do, even in this community,” Cheryl Axelrod said. “Many people in this community in this community are open-minded and supportive of others but we know there are others in the community who are more close-minded.”

The BLM sign was located near the sidewalk in the family’s front lawn, while the flag was on a pole inserted in a mount on the home’s front porch.

The Axelrods filed a police report when they discovered the missing items, according to the Wilmette Police Department.

Jeff Axelrod posted about the situation on NextDoor. The post drew hundreds of reactions and comments, primarily in support of the family but also from trolls criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement.

Cheryl Axelrod said the family has displayed a Black Lives Matter sign since about 2015, and the yard will soon return to normal. Like before, the Axelrods will rebuy and display a BLM sign in their yard. Maybe closer to the house this time.

And maybe a bigger pride flag, she said.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.