Mayor Emanuel Joins the Community for Chicago’s "Summer of Faith & Action"

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, May 28, 2014

"The people have an obligation to make sure that our city is safe so every child could have a childhood and that we make sure that we do what we need to do to bring the safety to our streets; let’s go back and get that for our children.” - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
"The people have an obligation to make sure that our city is safe so every child could have a childhood and that we make sure that we do what we need to do to bring the safety to our streets; let’s go back and get that for our children.” - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Photo by Lee Edwards.

Last Friday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Bishop Byron T. Brazier, Pastor Cory Brooks, and several community members at South Vernon Ave & East 63rd Street on the city's south side for a positive loitering event kicking off the city’s Summer of Faith & Action, a citywide solidarity movement against violence. The Summer of Faith & Action campaign was comprised of over 50 positive community based events held in neighborhoods throughout the city on Friday evening, from 6-9 pm.

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“It means a lot that we’re all out here trying to collaborate, trying to work together, trying to build a rapport. It means a lot to not only this city but it means a lot to this neighborhood and to these kids.” - Pastor Cory Brooks

“Across the city, there are 200 places of worship and neighbor groups all coming together just like here to ensure the children of the City of Chicago get the childhood that they deserve,” said Emanuel. “Every child out tonight is seeing a city standing shoulder to shoulder with them ensuring that they have a childhood free of gun violence. The people have an obligation to make sure that our city is safe so every child could have a childhood and that we make sure that we do what we need to do to bring the safety to our streets; let’s go back and get that for our children.”

“This is the mayor’s event, police department event, so it’s important that if they want to have an event like this that they lead and become a part of it but it’s also imperative that the community actually begin to own and decide what they want to do after this march is over,” said Brazier. “It’s the after that really counts so if you can take advantage of the unity and the unity factor that’s what will make this event successful.”

“It means a lot that we’re all out here trying to collaborate, trying to work together, trying to build a rapport,” said Brooks. “It means a lot to not only this city but it means a lot to this neighborhood and to these kids.”

The Summer of Faith & Actions called on Chicago residents, community organizations, block clubs, faith groups, and businesses to organize and then simultaneously hold anti-violence events. Suggested activities included neighborhood walks and clean-ups, block club parties, choir performances and positive loitering.

The Summer of Faith & Action is consistent with the City of Chicago’s campaign for a violence free summer. Recently, Mayor Emanuel joined urban radio stations DJs and personalities to announce the “Put Down the Guns” citywide violence prevention initiative which includes on-air PSAs (public service announcements)urging the community to "put the down the guns."

“We’re trying to get everyone together and everyone on the same page and work together in corporation to get everyone to put the guns down, stop the violence, and that’s the biggest message,” said Chicago Police Department Third District Commander James Jones.

According to the Chicago Police Department, 110 murders have been committed this year, a nine percent increase from this time last year when 101 murders were committed. Last year saw a decrease in the number of murders from 503 in 2012 to 414.

For more information visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor.html.

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