Photo / Allison Schatz/MEDILL
Below are excerpts from an article by Allison Schatz of Medill Reports.
A crowd of close to 100 community activists and residents marched down Ashland near 67th Street, while cars honked in support, during GoodKids MadCity’s [GKMC ]’Love March.’
Held on October 17, organizers say the march was meant to share a message of hope and to push back against the narrative that so often frames Englewood as a community of violence.
“Today’s march is about spreading peace and love throughout this community, so that we can do a better job keeping our streets safe without police,” GKMC youth member Miracle Boyd said. “Hundreds of children have died this year due to stray bullets.”
But despite the trauma, residents of communities such as Englewood say they are tired of being the sole focus of stories about violence, not change . . . tired of feeling forgotten by politicians who promise change but never seem to deliver. Among the issues of concern, lack of access to mental health services, fresh food, safe schools, affordable housing and medical care, and job access.
As a proposed solution, GKMC created the “Peace Book Ordinance,” to reallocate 2% of Chicago Police Department funding to support community sponsored programming aimed at reducing gun violence through a model that includes restorative justice solutions, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, fair housing and fresh food access….
