'Peace Surge' kept down Labor Day weekend violence, activists say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Community activists said Sunday that their Peace Surge movement has reduced the number of shootings in Chicago during the Labor Day weekend.

The groups, which include Black Star Project and Peace in Englewood, held anti-crime events across the city.

Members also flew American flags upside down, which they said was a signal of distress to President Barack Obama.

August was the deadliest month in Chicago in 20 years with 86 homicides.

Sunday evening, shootings were down compared to last Labor Day weekend. Two people were killed and 25 others wounded.

"We can't keep killing people, we can't keep killing our children," said Carolyn Zeigler. "I lost nieces, I lost my nephew, to violent crime and I lost my son, which everyone out here knows was a great basketball player. And I lost him to crime, a guy shooting another guy, and it never stops."

The idea for the community surge started after the Chicago police union asked officers not to take any overtime over this Labor Day weekend.