A South Side community responded to the surge in youth violence and underachievement in Chicago schools with prayer. Volunteers and community members wore black T-shirts near 25 West 47th Street and prayed for equal funding for students, more parent-teacher involvement and higher student attendance.
The prayer ended with the release of balloons in memory of children who were killed last school year.
Also, the Organization Council held a Stop the Violence march Saturday morning from 71st and California to 72nd and Normal. Nearly 100 people participated. Community leaders encouraged residents to take back the streets, one block at a time.
Three white doves were released at the end of the march to honor those who lost loved ones to violence this year.
