A small march on the South Side Friday aimed to draw attention to the growing number of Chicago children who have been shot amid a pandemic surge in gun violence.
About 30 people participated in the “No Kids Die in the Chi” march that ran along 79th Street for about a mile from the Dan Ryan Expressway to Cottage Grove Avenue in the Chatham neighborhood. The demonstration was organized by several community organizations, including Violence Interrupters, House of Hope Foundation and Hug a Child Make a Change.
The group of peaceful demonstrators chanted “Let them live!” as children, community organizers and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis marched as passing cars honked in support.
“It’s easy to get behind ‘no more guns,’ ” said Shawn Childs, an event organizer. “We’re here to tell children they do have a future.”
Through Dec. 26, 415 children ages 17 and under had been shot in Chicago this year, a more than 50% increase since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Chicago Police Department statistics.