'Turn our fear into faith': Chicago pastors lead downtown safety walk after last weekend's unrest

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hundreds of people joined faith leaders, walking along Michigan Avenue, aiming to address what they call the root problem behind the so-called teen takeover from last weekend.

"It really just shows that we are part of our community," said Byron Hicks, who attended the walk.

Every step in front of the next one was taken, Saturday, by hundreds of Black men walking from Roosevelt in the South Loop to downtown's Wacker Drive, standing up for Chicago's youth.

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"Instead of us trying to condemn them, we need to model behavior," said Ted McClain, who attended the walk.

Participants also shared some resources that are available in the city, in hopes to deter teens from going down the wrong path.

"They got work readiness. Earn $50 a week just to learn how to apply for a job, complete a resume, how to make phone calls," McClain said.

The walk was in response to last weekend's unrest in downtown Chicago.

"It was just hard to watch. It was hard to swallow, and I don't want to see nothing like that again," Hicks said.

That's why, in the wake of the large disturbance, a group of local pastors came up with the idea to show their strength and support for change in numbers.

"They tell us that our kids our kids are unruly," said Progressive Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Charles Dates, who is one of the spear-headers of the initiative. "We are responsible in the real sense of providing them with opportunities, opportunities that let them live beyond the ways of the young, Black experience in Chicago."

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Following the large crowds a week ago, security measures are, now, in place at Millennium Park through Sunday.

And, teenagers under the age of 18 will have to be accompanied by an adult at the park after 6 p.m.

But, if those policies aren't enough, these men are hoping to assist with young people when and where it's needed.

"We love them and support them, but for them to be acting that way, it's just not the way to go," said Terry Booker, who attended the walk.

City leaders said they don't believe there'll be any large crowds in the downtown area, like last weekend, due to the weather, but said police are still prepared in case anything goes awry.

"If what we saw, last weekend, is unacceptable - but, to leave it there just to say it is unacceptable is to miss the deeper, more profound matter here. That behavior comes out of something. So, I will say to people, let's turn our fear into faith," Dates said.