CeaseFire Organizes Marches Against Violence

By Soyoung Kwak in News on May 1, 2010 4:15PM

Now that the weather is warming up, there has been a noticeable increase in violent acts across the city. The problem of gang violence in particular has stirred a lot of emotions, calling for immediate and substantive action against violent crimes. Earlier this week, we heard news that some Chicago leaders wanted to bring in the National Guard to quell violence in Chicago. While Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Daley haven't warmed up to this idea, citizens have taken up the issue of violence into their own hands, demonstrating the serious need to bring peace to violent neighborhoods.

Chicago anti-violence group, CeaseFire, held a handful of marches in and around Chicago last night to promote peace in neighborhoods. CeaseFire organized marches in nine Chicago neighborhoods with high instances of crime, taking on risks like marching on the far South Side. Despite that a high-ranking gang member was killed there on Thursday night, people marched to make a strong statement:

"We have to justify why we're over there. We're trying to save your life. Your brother is dead, God Bless him. I feel for everybody. But the thing is somebody else is going to end up dead or someone is going to end up in the penitentiary. Is it worth it?" said Tio Hardiman, [of] CeaseFire Illinois.

Although there are many opinions about how to lessen violence in Chicago, it is difficult to pinpoint the most effective way of handling the situation. Recently, as a method of decreasing the chances of violence, the Illinois State Senate passed a bill that would enforce stricter punishments on those who unlawfully use weapons. This bill, backed by Mayor Daley, is now up for consideration by Gov. Pat Quinn.