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Peoria Largely Peaceful Sunday Morning After Turbulent Saturday Night

Little lasting damage is to be seen after protests grew heated on both sides of the river Saturday night.

Protests reportedly began at the Wal-Mart on University in Peoriabefore moving across the river to the East Peoria Wal-Mart.

Officers there used pepper balls to break up the crowds after some protestors began throwing bricks, according to media reports.

A fire was also reportedly set on the side of the East Peoria Lowe's.

In addition to East Peoria police, the Illinois State Police, deputies from the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, and officers from the Fon du Lac Park District Police, Creve Coeur, Pekin, Peoria, Creve Coeur, North Pekin, Marquette Heights, and Morton also responded.

Pekin police also prepared for a potential outbreak of unrest, but it didn't crop up.

By Sunday morning, the events of Saturday night weren't readily apparent along the East Peoria riverfront. Both Wal-Mart and Lowe's were open as usual, with no signs of damage.

The incidents at the Wal-Marts were unrelated to Saturday afternoon's peaceful "We Matter March" in downtown Peoria, which drew several hundred people to the Peoria County Courthouse.

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Tim Shelley is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.