Students from local catholic and public schools release balloons into the sky during June 15 peace rally in McGuane Park. | Lou Foglia/Sun-Times
By VIRGINIA BARREDAChicago Sun-Times
Voices echoed throughout McGuane Park as middle school children chanted in unison: “We want peace!” Some carried signs that read “Use ur brain, not ur guns”; “Stop the violence, Chicago”; and “Chicago is with Orlando.”
Don Brewer, a seventh-grader at Alexander Graham Elementary, was one of the 900 students from public and private schools who attended the first Peace Walk into Summer event Wednesday at the Bridgeport neighborhood park.
“This is all happening for peace,” he said. “People think the whole world is just shooting and badness, but to be honest, it’s not. All of these good people are here. You know, it’s love.”
Students from Graham Elementary School in Chicago cheer during a June 15 peace rally in McGuane Park. | Lou Foglia/Sun-Times
Community leaders were invited to speak to students about the importance of getting along with others, avoiding violence, and promoting peace and safety during the summer.
“We’ve had a lot of crimes in our district. We just want a day of peace,” Chicago Police Officer Sabrina King said at the rally. “We want all of our kids to return back to school in September because we lose so many during the summer months.”
More than 1,600 people have been affected by gun violence in Chicago this year. There were nearly 3,000 victims in 2015.
Students from local catholic and public schools say the Pledge of Allegiance during a peace rally in McGuane Park on June 15. | Lou Foglia/Sun-Times
The Peace Walk, hosted by Ald. Patrick Thompson and Cook County Commissioner John Daley, included a balloon release to honor victims of violence, and a picnic lunch for the guests.
Speaking on behalf of the LGBTQ community, Janet Anne Bloom said: “I wish there was more peace in the world, that people weren’t killing each other for any reason at all, and not killing simply because I love who I love.”
In light of gun violence in the community and throughout the country, Thompson said it is important to talk about “coming together as a community”.
“We want [the children] to be safe and to know that there are other things to do than hanging out with the bad guys, hanging out with the gang members,” he said. “We wanted them to come out to the park and enjoy each other’s company, enjoy the lake front, enjoy the summer and enjoy being kids.”
Students from local catholic and public schools laugh as Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw dances during a peace rally June 15 in McGuane Park. | Lou Foglia/Sun-Times