July 4th is a day of celebration for the United States but Chicago was struck with the bitter reality of violence.
101 people were shot over the 4th of July weekend killing 15 of them.
The South and West sides of Chicago were the centre of all the attacks and happened during a span of 6 hours. The shooting were a result of a lot of fights and arguments.
Deputy Chief Fred Waller said, “We suspect several incidents or retaliatory in nature and alcohol was a factor in these other incidents.”
First Deputy Supt. Kevin Navarro said, “Our problem in Chicago is gangs and guns.”
Rev Jesse Jackson has said the solution to these crimes would be job creation. He also added, “Drugs in, guns in, jobs out. More died on these streets since Friday than in Afghanistan or Iraq.”
Cook County Board Cmsr. Richard Boykin said, “Black unemployment in the state of Illinois is the highest in the nation and it’s been that way for the last six quarters.”
Richard Boykin even announced a state of emergency tour to help the people residing in the most violent Chicago areas, like Austin. Austin is the place were innocent bystander Elijah Sims a 16 year old was gunned down.
The mother of the teen Sharita Galloway said, “It needs to stop. Something has to be done. People need to speak up. If you see something say something. That’s the only way we are going to get our community back.”
Police were put on overtime in the South and West sides of Chicago for patrol and try and minimise the fatality rates.
