Press Release 6th Ward Candle Light Vigil 02-01-12
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Transcript of Press Release 6th Ward Candle Light Vigil 02-01-12
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8/3/2019 Press Release 6th Ward Candle Light Vigil 02-01-12
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For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Vogel cell (773) 329-5589,[email protected]
James Muhammad cell (773) 562-6376,[email protected]
Press Release
Residents and SEIU Members in Chicagos 6th Ward Hold Candlelight
Vigil to Stop Gun Violence: "Nothing Stops a Bullet Like a Job"
(Feb 1, 2011, Chicago)Residents in Chicagos 6th
Ward who work as child care providers, home
health care assistants, and public service employees as part of the Service Employee International
Union (SEIU) organized a candlelight vigil against gun violence today in the Chatham neighborhood
on the south side of Chicago. The vigil was held on the site of a tragic shooting. On Nov. 5th,2011, three innocent bystanders, two men and one woman, all in their 20s, were killed at the
parking lot of Churchs Chicken and a Piece of Cake bakery on 87th
and South King Drive. The
woman who was slain was picking up a birthday cake for her 2-year-old daughter. No one has
been charged in the shooting.
Residents demanded that more jobs be created in the 6th
Ward to give young people the
opportunity to build a better future. The SEIU members said repeatedly, "Nothing stops a bullet like
a job," borrowing a phrase that many community activists have used in their calls to strengthen public
safety through job creation and economic development.
Several residents in the 6th Ward who have been impacted by gun violence either directly, or whohave family members who have been shot, spoke about the physical and psychological pain in
dealing with shootings in their neighborhoods.
Cynthia Youngblood, a home health care assistant and SEIU member who lives in the 6th
Ward, and who also works part-time for Chicago Public Schools helping special needs children,
almost lost her 17-year-old daughter when she was shot twice by random gunfire in June of 2011.
Her daughter was hospitalized for 15 days and still needs crutches. Seven months later, Cynthia
still has to take significant time off work, unpaid, in order to take her daughter to physical
rehabilitation, counseling and medical visits.
Every time I take my daughter to physical rehab or counseling it means Im not able to work. We
struggle to get by. Those two bullets did a lot of damage to my daughter and to our family, said
Youngblood. Why are we dealing with random gunfire in our neighborhoods? We need to build-
up our communities by creating jobs -- not tearing our neighborhoods apart.
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Jacqueline Smith, a childcare provider who is also a SEIU member, was shot in the back in
September 2008 in the Gresham neighborhood. Jacqueline, who had just watched the four young
children that she was caring for leave her home, was struck by a stray bullet that almost
punctured her lung. Three other bullets struck the outside of her house but the children werent
injured. Jacqueline eventually moved her child care service to the 6th
Ward thinking it would be
safer and quieter to continue her business. But she now worries that the community where shewanted to restart her life is becoming more and more dangerous.
Lets be honest, we have too many young men who dont have jobs and dont see any way that
they can contribute their lives towards a future. We simply cant allow our young people to slip
through the cracks because they cant find meaningful work, said Smith, who could not attend
the vigil but offered a statement. Ifwe want to reduce violence, we have to start by giving
people a purpose and a job with a livable wage.
Dr. Oscar Varnadoe III , SEIU Local 73 executive board member who is also a Minister at Park
Manor United Church of Christ, conducted the candlelight ceremony. Violence should not be
tolerated at any level. God give life and God should be the only means of taking life. In order to
stop the cycle of violence we need to build community. Within the community we must supply a
good education and decent jobs with benefits. In order for people to grow they must have a
healthy environment. A great community supplies the opportunity for education and gainful
employment, Varnadoe.
Organizers said that todays candlelight ceremony will be the first of many opportunities for SEIU
members, residents and community partners to become involved in various actions, marches and
rallies. The SEIU is creating a community-based coalition in the 6th
Ward to advocate for solutions.
SEIUs goal is to mobilize union members and to partner with interfaith groups and churches, non-
profit organizations, small businesses, and civic leaders to create jobs, improve schools, reducehome foreclosures, prevent violence, and encourage economic development and investment in
the 6th
Ward.
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