CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A group in Carbondale gave thanks to local officers in Carbondale on Wednesday.
They're members of the Muslim community in southern Illinois and thanked police for the protection they gave them during their rallies and protests over the conflict in Israel.
The group spent the day giving gifts to the Carbondale Police Department.
News 3 talked with them about why they decided to do this.
"The police is there to protect everybody and to exercise the freedom of speech, Carbondale Business Owner and Board Member of the Muslim Community Dean Amley said. "We are very grateful and we are very thankful to the police department and to the chief of police.�
Amley says it's important to listen to both sides and call for an end to violence.
Carbondale Chief of Police Stan Reno said the department is happy to do its part for both sides.
