New mural honors slain violence de-escalator David 'Boogie' Gonzalez near Pilsen's Throop Park
CHICAGO (WLS) -- "Boogie lives."
That is the message dozens of people heard on a cold Saturday morning in Pilsen's Throop Park.
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"He's a movement. He's somebody that sacrificed his life for unity within Pilsen," said Victoria Guy, Boogie's niece.
David "Boogie" Gonzalez was a prominent Pilsen violence de-escalator, one of the first.
He worked to stop gang warfare along 18th Street but was tragically gunned down in a drive-by shooting at just 23 years old in 1973.
His niece, Victoria, says he lived to provide a sense of hope to young people in the community.
"He wanted to give the youth a different image or something else outside of these four blocks," she said.
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To carry on Boogie's legacy of peace, a colorful mural was unveiled next to Throop Park.
"I started listening to him and doing things that made me a better person," said muralist Rufus Linus Jr.
The muralist says he knew Boogie and is honored to help creatively share his memories with others.
He says it took him three weeks to complete.
"In the rain, in the cold. Day and night we worked hard, very hard," Rufus said.
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who represents the 25th Ward, spoke during the mural unveiling, saying the tireless work to keep Boogie's memory alive will change lives.
"If we do not know our history, we cannot change it," he said.
Organizers are now passing a petition through the community to rename Throop Park in Boogie's name.
