‘We’re trying to make a change’: Chicago youth promote peace, aim to combat gun violence across city

It is a difficulty that weighs very heavy on the hearts of the teenagers who’re making an attempt to make a distinction.

“It begins with you, it begins with me, with all of us working collectively. No extra violence,” stated Vondale Singleton with Champs Male Mentoring Program.

It is that message that is bringing dozens of anti-violence teams and teenagers collectively to type the brand new “brilliance and excellence motion.”

“We’re in downtown Chicago at this time to easily march round with our flags, with our T-shirts, with our postcards to easily promote the message of peace, unity and most of all no violence,” stated Jermaine Anderson, govt director of I AM A GENTLEMAN, INC.

Their aim is to showcase, spotlight and uplift younger males of shade.

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“We do not want no extra violence, we have to come collectively as a bunch to show that there is extra to Black individuals, there’s extra residing in Chicago. We do not essentially want to come back out right here and shoot one another,” stated 15-year-old Jalyn Pressley.

“I’ve actually seen violence in our colleges and throughout the South Aspect of Chicago, so right here at this time, I am simply making an attempt to carry consciousness,” added fellow 15-year-old Adeeb Borden.

The group marched within the South Loop Saturday, becoming a member of a thousand of others in Grant Park for the Race In opposition to Gun Violence.
Their motion was created after the Champs Male Mentoring Program misplaced member Seandell Vacation final month when lots of of teenagers descended upon at Millennium Park and issues turned violent.

“I simply misplaced a buddy and I do know he’d be wanting me to be doing the identical, so I really feel like if he sees me doing this, he will be joyful and he will know that we’re making an attempt to make a change locally,” stated 14-year-old Sam Sadeen Jones.

“I believe it is utterly needed that we do that as a result of most individuals assume — from different states — individuals assume individuals in Chicago, all they do is shoot however I need individuals to know that we’re greater than that,” added 13-year-old Joshua Hughey.

Final month, Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a brand new city-wide curfew after that now requires teenagers 17 and beneath to be accompanied by an grownup after 10 p.m. Thursday by Sundays.

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“Our hopes all through the summer time is that we have now no extra blood slain, that there is no extra violence, that the weapons are put down,” stated Damien Howard, director of schooling initiatives with Collectively Chicago.

This group stated they plan to proceed taking to the streets of Chicago all through the summer time, making their message heard till one thing modifications.