The gun violence problem in Chicago is well-documented, but what does not get as much attention is the work the city's residents are doing to end that violence.
According to The Chicago Tribune, a very large group of activists and residents gathered for a peaceful protest, shutting down one of the city's major highways.
The protest, which drew several thousand people, shut down Chicago's Dan Ryan Expressway on Saturday, and was led by St. Sabina Church's Reverend Michael Pfleger.
Protesters covered half the northbound lanes while traffic resumed in the other half.
“I am here to support people like Laquan MacDonald, a victim of gun violence and police violence,” South Shore community organizer William Calloway said according to the Chicago Defender. “I think that raising the consciousness of the general public is always good. I see a lot of black people, and that makes me feel good because it’s not often you see this many of us come out.”
"Everyone is affected and it shouldn't be," gun violence survivor Katherine Pisabaj told ABC 7 News. "That's why I am glad that we're all here, that we're all trying to make a difference and that's what matters. Hopefully the people in power listen to us so that everything can change and my nephews can grow up in a world that they don't have to worry about experiencing a pain that I did."
Pfleger & @Chicago_Police Supt. are walking arm-in-arm on Dan Ryan, with thousands of protesters marching against violence #DanRyanShutdown pic.twitter.com/ATSPRJC2VG— Ashlee Rezin (@Ashlee_Rezin) July 7, 2018
Anti-violence protesters led by Father @MichaelPfleger march north on the Dan Ryan Expressway toward downtown #Chicago, chanting “Shut it down!” They want a meeting with young activists and Gov Rauner and Mayor Emanuel to discuss jobs, schools and gun violence #DanRyanShutDown pic.twitter.com/GBMQvAfdYd— Michael J. O'Loughlin (@MikeOLoughlin) July 7, 2018
Is shutting down the Dan Ryan inconvenient?
Of course it is.
But please, take just a minute & think about all the families in Chicago who are living w the heartbreak of lost loved ones due to gun violence.
Isn't it time- past time- we do some things very differently?#NotOneMore https://t.co/8hpjfsWTEi— Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) July 5, 2018
There were some notable supporters at the gathering, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr:
On @Fox32News #DanRyanShutdown There are 3 Chicagos:Northside-where jobs are plentiful,the suburbs-where there are resources;then the south&west sides-where there is growing desperation.We need jobs education,infrastructure&justice. This is why we are peacefully marching today. pic.twitter.com/PPFSiNZ4wp— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) July 7, 2018
“This issue of gun violence – and the devastation that it reeks on families – is the issue of our time. If we do not stand up, speak out, and demand something is done about this incredibly devastating issue, our communities will never recover,” Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot said. “How many more have to die before we take this issue seriously and address the root causes of violence?”
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, two politicians looking to maintain their role in upcoming elections, had a brief back-and-forth on Twitter regarding how the protest was handled, with Rauner calling the protest "unacceptable."
It was a peaceful protest. Delete your account. https://t.co/QoKyIHmuQj— Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@ChicagosMayor) July 7, 2018
After the march, Pfleger said he hopes to keep the anti-gun momentum going, and that the city's elected officials will make reducing gun violence a real priority.
"The ones that won today are the people because the people are showing up," Pfleger said. "When they saw this many people out here, black and white and brown, young and old, saying we're tired of the damn violence in Chicago. We want the governor, the mayor, the elected officials and the community to all come together and say we want peace now."
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