Community Announces a Plan to End Violence, Despair and Hopelessness
Reprinted from Black Star Project, April 25, 2014
Published: April 25, 2014
WHO: The Midwest Coalition to Stop Violence; and Ark of St. Sabina; Developers of Dreams; Ignite-One; Illinois Grass Roots Organization; Moorish-Science Temple of America; National Alliance of the Formerly Incarcerated; National Economic Grass Roots Organization; New Life Christian Ministry of Greater Chicago; Peace In The Hood; P.O.P.S. Movement; P)CC; Street Peace Coalition; Street Voices; The Black Star Project; Violence Interrupters, Inc.; United In Peace; Women Building a Positive and Productive Change; and more than 200 community members
WHAT:
Twenty organizations and 200 individuals will rally to launch a community plan to reduce violence in Chicago at the site where 5 children, 11 to 15 years old, were shot last week. Young men and women from the community will be invited to this event with refreshments. The community plan includes: 1) community safety patrols, 2) street corner mentoring of young men, 3) a "Ban the Box" legislative initiative to de-criminalize citizens, and 4) a call for economic opportunities including entrepreneur, jobs, small business development and employment training.
WHY:
The police, by themselves, cannot stop violence in Chicago. Elected officials cannot stop violence in Chicago. Judges and prisons cannot stop violence in Chicago. But the community, with the help and support of elected officials, the police and the business community, can absolutely stop violence in Chicago.
Last weekend, more than 40 people were shot and 9 were killed on the streets of Chicago. One of the shootings, at 67th and Michigan, was of 5 children. The weakness of the city's strategy to stop violence was exposed. Where was the community in the strategy? More police on the streets cannot stop the violence. One hundred proposed FBI agents cannot stop the violence. Threats of longer incarceration don't help. Only the community can stop violence in the community.
WHERE:
6700 and South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
WHEN:
Saturday, April 26, 2014; 12:00 pm
WHERE:
6700 and South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Please call 773.285.9600 for more information.