Uprising Bakery and Cafe in Lake in the Hills had to cancel a planned drag event after a Alsip man broke windows and graffitied the business. He has been charged with a hate crime.
Uprising Bakery gained attention last week when people had called the local police complaining about a drag brunch planned for the evening of Saturday, July 23. The department said in a statement the previous week that people were concerned about children being allowed to attend the event. The police department talked with the owners and found nothing to be concerned about, all though the owners did report receiving threats.
The cafe was attacked late on Friday night with broken glass windows and doors and anti-LGBTQ graffiti. Police were called while the crime was in progress and arrested Joseph Collins of Alsip, Ill. Alsip is an inner ring suburb on the southwest side of Chicago, 30 miles away.
He was charged with Class 4 felony hate crime and criminal damage to property. He was taken into custody on a $10,000 bond.
In a Facebook page post, Uprising Bakery cancelled the event out of concern for audience and performer safety.
“We did not want to back down from Bullies but absolutely cannot in good conscience continue with tomorrows plans,” the post said.
The cafe was closed Saturday but reopened on Sunday to supporters who bought out most of the stock in support.
Uprising Bakery said the broken windows were in the storage room, making much of the baking supplies unusable. They were on a limited menu on Monday until deliveries came in.
Donations have come in from local LGBTQ organizations Buffalo Grove Pride and Woodstock Pride as well as Together We Stand McHenry County.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the cafe. You can donate here.
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