Yesterday afternoon on another beautiful warm day, we had to hear of another shooting taking place in our neighborhood at the 4500 block of Magnolia. Two were shot, and confirmation was released an hour ago that one of them died. We wish nothing but peace and comfort to their families.
While we have an election coming up, it's time to put down our political differences and unite as a community. This Friday evening, Commissioned for the Community is organizing a candlelight vigil. We are extending an invitation to everyone, all the local organizations, all the elected officials from this area, all the candidates running for office, to join us and others who are tired of this senseless violence.
Candlelight Vigil & March Organized by "Commissioned for the Community"
Friday, July 30, 7:00pm
Magnolia and Wilson
This is not a political event. We will not be bringing any campaign literature. We will not be making any campaign speeches. We will just stand united under one message: the violence must stop now."
UU Note: The first we became aware of this event was when we got the email blast from James this morning. Yesterday evening Molly Phelan posted on her Facebook account: "2 people shot at Magnolia & Wilson today around 6pm. Commission for the Community Vigil and Peace March at 7pm Friday Night - corner of Magnolia & Wilson. Please show your support!"
Update: We received this flyer in email today from "Commissioned For The Community."
I understand the motivation for an event like this and especially the call for "no politics" for the night.
ReplyDeleteBut make no mistake, any long term solution to this problem will involve a heavily political component. One of the biggest determinants of my choice of whom to vote for next February will be the candidates' ideas on crime and safety in Uptown, and specifically this stretch of Magnolia. There's a lot an alderman can do, and I want to hear what SPECIFIC things our candidates will do if elected.
Thank you for organizing this. Aaron was a friend, and my heart goes out to his family, especially his not yet 3 year old daughter who will grow up without a father. I am sure that he made bad choices in his life, but his life was not worthless. The violence has to stop, and until we stand up against it, these senseless shootings will continue.
ReplyDeleteMolly Phelan sent this out to everyone on her Facebook page, etc. yesterday night... just so things are kept fair here.. it is not a Cappleman event.. it is a community event so I do not think UU is doing anyone favors by ascribing it to one candidate
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChill out Superhero, UU never said it was a Cappleman event....
ReplyDeleteThe post says that Cappleman sent them an email about an event...the text of which clearly states it is NOT a political event nor does it contain Cappleman's name. Had Molly sent the same email, or (GASP) even Shiller, the text would have corresponded accordingly. I understand everybody is passionate about their candidate of choice, but every post doesn't need to be turned into a pissing match. I am already turned off by the "UU is treating Molly like the red-headed stepchild" argument, it is old and just not true. It actually reminds me a little of how Helen talks of condo owners. Divisive, petty, and above all insecure.
Someone was MURDERED. Banger or not, it is an awful representation of what could happen to any one of us walking the streets in the current unbalanced state of things. Vigil is a start, but I urge readers who attend to use it as a networking event, a time to discuss actionable items and plans instead of just bemoaning the circumstances that our painful lack of leadership has precipitated.
I agree with quietlyconscious re: what an alderman can do....but I also know that there is a pervasive attitude on this blog and among neighbors to just sit back and expect the problem to be solved by (insert group: new alderman, police, social services, mayor, irishpirate, etc). Each has limited power alone, and without the time and committed support of residents, it's not going to work.
Gangbangers have an abundance of time dedicated to doing things that ruin the neighborhood, and it shows. We outnumber them (thank goodness) so it means the per capita time commitment will be less, but until we give that time I wouldn't expect any different results.
NKOTB... Nope, I wont chill out. It is a bit arrogant when someone tells someone else what to do, so I hope you take that into consideration the next time you write to someone... the article should simply have said this was taking place. It should not have started with "James Cappleman emailed us... etc etc.. "
ReplyDeleteSo, aside from you very lengthy diatribe on telling me how to act, i hope you put that much passion in coming up with a solution. Marching around with signs is, frankly, a self-serving endeavour. We did that at Shillers office two years ago... nothing happened... we bitched at the CAPS meeting last year when there were 'fisticuffs' at Leland and Sheridan..nothing happened..
.. I am just getting a bit tired of marching in circles so we can feel that we are doign something. I really do challenge everyone to figure out something concrete and measurable....not just some speeches and posters..
We attributed an email to James because those were his words we were quoting and that's, you know, what we do to avoid charges of plagiarism. We also amended the post to add Molly's Facebook post, which we attributed to her.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't think the vigil is an effective way of protest, please contact Molly, as we are hearing that she and Rev. Johnny King are the organizers.
Thank you UU for the clarification... and I stand by my earlier comment to whomever is organizing the event - and attending. We have all protested to death, been threatened with baseball bats (Hi Helen's staff!), been to innumerable CAPS meeting where the Police are polite and nod their heads and agree.. because I am actually sure they really do... and yet, everything continues..
ReplyDelete..my hope is that finally, there can be some measurable ideas (i.e. Ideas that one can go back to in 3 months, 6 months, etc) and say, this process is working, this one is not....
Whether that is asking our State Representatives or Congressman/Senators for help. Taking out an ad asking Mayor Daley to send us the National Guard...whatever it is.. just so this crap with these criminals stops!!!!!!
Perhaps if Molly the Magnificent had a Facebook link on her webpage, which by the way is linked on Uptown Update, more people might find her aforementioned Facebook page.
ReplyDeleteThe other candidates, who are also linked and mentioned frequently on Uptown Update, all have more extensive websites with links.
While searching for the perhaps mythical Phelan campaign Facebook page I found another former candidate for Alderman on Facebook. Unlike Gerald Farinas this bozo understood the joke.
I didn't find a Facebook campaign page for Molly. I did find her personal page which is private and only allows her 1000 plus friends access.
Maybe I missed the campaign page. Since UU mentions it I'm relatively sure I did. I would blame my parents and alcohol abuse, but that would be whining.
Phelan showed a $5000 "in kind" donation for webdesign on her state donation report.
Via Digerati Inc 1811 W. Erie
Chicago, IL 60622 $5,000.00
6/25/2010 In-Kind Contribution
Friends of Molly Phelan Design & web development Via Digerati Inc 1811 W. Erie
Chicago, IL 60622
I guess she got what she paid for!
OOOOOOOOOOH, I'm being mean. Someone should whine about that.
This, insert name of candidate as victim, schitck needs to stop.
The vigil is a good thing, but to expect it to lead to any meaningful change is unrealistic.
ReplyDeleteThe only real way to change things is to remove the gangbangers from the community.
That is going to mean tough property management and a change to the eviction laws.
The biggest victims of the criminal element in our community are the decent folks living in subsidized housing. It's bad enough having bangers on the street. Imagine how much worse it is to have them living across the hall or the courtyard.
Hero--Sorry if I wasn't clear, but only the first line I wrote was directed at you. I don't think asking you to chill out is any more arrogant than you passive aggressively telling UU that they "aren't doing anyone any favors," but I digress. You aren't the only one who changes UU posts into an aldermanic candidate fight or pulls the "molly isn't supported" line, hence my comments on that were generally stated (see where I said "everybody" instead of "you").
ReplyDeleteGot a whiff of implication that I might not put passion into actions around the 'hood, but you couldn't possibly know that about me. I never mentioned signs or marching, but I also participated in the events you mentioned and, like you, found little resulting change.
The "lengthy diatribe," which REALLY wasn't about you at all, addresses the very thing you did in your last paragraph, the need for actionable items. Pardon if I used too many words, but it appears that we have the same message and are on the same team. No need for scolding ; )
NKOTB.. I wasnt being passive/aggressive.. I was being aggressive/aggressive.. ;)
ReplyDeleteIP --- yea, that is pretty much my point... reread what I wrote.. it asks for something measurable to get them out...
LOL Hero, well played.
ReplyDeleteYeah...good luck with that "getting the Uptown Community off its' collective asses and actually doing something" thing. Ok, so they positive loiter and now they'll do a little vigil thingy. But will they do anything that means anything. Prolly not. That gets in the way of their "busy lives" because they are so much busier than the rest of us. And politics aside, I don't think there is any body in this ward that is more involved with EVERYTHING than James and Richard, and I think both also have full-time jobs too. If each of us did only half as much we would have a sparkling little burg.
ReplyDeleteThe violence will not abate unless and until the economy improves. And with Shiller not running for reelection, the neighborhood could find itself with a pretty pronounced leadership vaccuum.
ReplyDeletemdoubleyou,
ReplyDeleteWhen Hitler was ousted, that created a leadership vacuum too, i.e., not all leadership vacuums are bad, particularly when the leader is a somewhat less than competent.
Godwin's law.
ReplyDeleteLeadership vacuum.
ReplyDelete???
"vacuum is a volume of space that is essentially empty of matter"
We already have a lack of leadership.
Crime is the most pressing issue in this ward and Shiller does NOTHING to stop it. It ain't her issue so to speak.
Whoever, the next alderman is will almost certainly be an improvement.
Who said Shiller isnt running? Or is the filing by her lacky, dare I say it "shill" candidate proof that she isn't?
ReplyDeleteShiller does NOTHING to stop it
ReplyDeleteMaybe she just hasn't had the proper encouragement.
Maybe if a group of concerned (polite, non-chanting, non-threatening, non-sign-carrying) citizens were to meet in front of her office around 6:40-ish, with the intent of marching from her office to the sight of the vigil, she might feel welcomed to join in.
If she does, she deserves credit and inclussion (ie - a temporary truce).
If she does not, well ... nothing really changes, does it?
Just a thought.
Buzz is right, we can't assume that Shiller isn't running.
ReplyDeleteHer silence though is golden. Why the woman can't just come out and say "I don't condone this violence in my ward" is beyond me. By all accounts, I would think it would be the politically correct thing to do.
Sad.
Aaron was a friend, and my heart goes out to his family, especially his not yet 3 year old daughter who will grow up without a father. I am sure that he made bad choices in his life, but his life was not worthless - MommaJoy
ReplyDeleteI am one of the three that helped aaron carter after his fatal shot to the chest when nobody else was willing i feel sorry for him no matter what his past consisted of he was a human being and a mothers child - Jean
A friend? I'm sure this black P stone convicted criminal was invited over regularly for dinner parties and to babysit your kids.
Hmm, "I feel sorry for him no matter what his past consisted of". You feel sorry for him? I find a statement like that insulting to a person in his position because you assume that poor little Aaron Carter has no free will and was forced into a life of crime by powers larger than him.
Do either of you feel sorry for terrorists that were chased down and are now incarcerated because of the help of the Patriot Act? Or because they had friends and children and are human you feel sorry for them? What about the 911 hijackers?
How many Black P Stones, Gangsta Disciples, or Vice Lords do you think are planning to take a night off from being terrorists to come to a nice little community vigil?
Can we be serious about criminal activity for a second. Am I coming to the vigil? Yes, I want to support my community. Will this vigil rid our neighborhood of a single gang member? Hell no. Will we still have gang riots and shootings, count on it.
I, like other posters on this blog aren't as loving to people that terrorize our neighborhoods or our country. I'm glad it makes you feel good to have pity and compassion for them, you know damn well your nothing but a target if you get in their way. I wish more of us could stop living in a "let's extend the hand of peace and hope for it all to just work out" world. We need to live in the reality that there are people in the world that do not care about you or I no matter how you might feel about them, and these people view us as either targets or as the enemy.
Pandering to them with positive loitering and peace marches they see as a joke. Want to make a difference? Vote. Demand more police on the streets. Contact State Representatives and demand tough crime bills. Contact the States Attorney and demand harsher sentences. Research the voting history of judges and then actually vote for someone who actually puts criminals in jail instead of on probation with community service.
If we continue to show leniency, we will always live in fear.
Do you honestly think she will be in her office @ 6:40pm on a Friday? Just saying.
ReplyDeleteThe point is, holding peaceful demonstrations has never rid a community of serious crime. Money, Police, willing Politicians and non-liberal judges have. Let's start living in reality and do something that actually gets results. Contact our state reps. and demand harsher crime bills, contact our states attorney and demand harsher punishments, research the records of our judges and actually go out and vote for judges that actually put criminals in jail as opposed to on probation or supervision. Demand enforcement of already existing laws and policies. Vote for politicians that want to give police more power.
ReplyDeleteStop showing leniency and compassion. You and I are nothing more than targets if we get in the way of criminals and terrorists. If we EVER want a safe Uptown, we need to get active, get aggressive and commit to getting out on the streets and on the phone and taking action. Or we could keep feeling sorry for these "friends" of ours that keep spraying our streets with bullets and plaguing our neighborhood with drugs and criminal activity.
"The point is, holding peaceful demonstrations has never rid a community of serious crime. Money, Police, willing Politicians and non-liberal judges have. Let's start living in reality and do something that actually gets results." Reality Check
ReplyDeleteI never thought for a moment it would rid the community of serious crime. But I'm going because it connects me with other people in the neighborhood, people who are a part of my community and who share my value of wanting it to be safer. The nice thing about that is that the next time I see them, they won't be a stranger. It will help me care a little more about the community, work a little harder, pick up more garbage on the street, and be more motivated to call 311 everytime I see graffiti. That makes going to the vigil on Friday night worth it.
"Realitycheck" said,
ReplyDelete"Want to make a difference? Vote. Demand more police on the streets. Contact State Representatives and demand tough crime bills. Contact the States Attorney and demand harsher sentences. Research the voting history of judges and then actually vote for someone who actually puts criminals in jail instead of on probation with community service."
wow, do you realize how many people are already in jail in the U.S.? In Cook County? That Cook County is already the largest detention facility in the country, that the U.S. has the highest per capita prison population in the world? What has that gotten us? It's a simplistic view to think that locking people up longer is going to solve the problem with no acknowedgement to how economics factor in.
Maybe if we stopped arresting people for nonviolent offenses and allowed the police to focus more on violent offenders we would make a little progress but to think that across-the-board stiffer sentences is the answer...you might wanna think that one out a bit more.
ron -- they don't have luck with the violent crimes because the gangs would rather take care of the crime themselves. no snitching.
ReplyDeleteRon - how about in lieu of having to lock people up for not only violent offenses, but also the pesky non-violent offenses, the offenders choose not to offend?!?
ReplyDeleteLaws are put into place for specific reasons. Yes, I do think that as society progresses, there is a need to revisit existing laws and revise as deemed reasonable. But to say "tears in a bucket, f-it" and purposely and willfully disobey laws, rules, & regulations just because it's the easy way out and then, place blame on the government, police, society, parents, etc rather than upon the individuals making poor/incorrect/illegal choices is irresponsible and childish.
Ron - can you define what you consider "non-violent" offenses? Would that be like when someone breaks into your house and steals your belongings? We should let people off the hook for that? If the people that broke into your home were caught, would you just ask them to say sorry? I am sure that would work as a great deterrent for them.
ReplyDeleteNow no one is saying they should serve a life sentence for that, but don't you think their should be some sort or retribution - or are you saying "don't arrest them?"
I would really love to hear your suggestions on how to tackle the gang problems in Uptown. Should we let the gangs continue to harass people and sell drugs on our streets? I mean, that's non-violent, right? Let's just wait until they kill someone in broad daylight to do something, right?
Please enlighten us with your innovative thoughts on social justice.
When talking about non-violent offenses i'm mainly referring to drug offenses. The "war on drugs" has done nothing to reduce street violence, or drug use/availability/potentcy for that matter. The jails and prisons are filled with people arrested for non-violent offenses of selling or possessing drugs and i've seen that first-hand having spent time incarcerated, statistics also back that up. When police spend so much time focusing on drugs (which in my opinion is better dealt with as a health issue) they do not focus on stopping and solving violent crime. Also, most people involved in the drug sale, at least at the lower levels, come from the lower class and poor schools that don't prepare them for a place in our increasingly technological workplace. And remember that we don't make shit anymore in this country, those jobs were sent somewhere else to "maximize profits." So the economic aspect of the problem MUST be addressed if we want results. The problem, however, is doing that threatens the foundation of our market-driven society to the core so most people and politicians are too afraid to even think about changing the way we deal with drug use, poverty and crime, lest they be called "soft".
ReplyDeleteYou might be surprised how many cops agree that the "war on drugs" is a terrible misadventure. I once had a Chicago Police Sergeant tell me that the best thing we could do to reduce street crime in Chicago would be to decriminalize or legalize drugs. Among other reasons, the mere fact that so many gangs fight over turf to sell drugs helps explain this theory.
Another thing, if you follow the drugs you'll find drug dealers and users (maybe you?), if you follow the money from drugs, you'll see how many of our institutions (government, banks, law enforcment, etc) benefit financially from the drug trade.
I was just saying to myself the other day, what happened to that Ron fella and CopWatch, I assumed they were all gone and realized just how stupid their ways were.
ReplyDeleteA candlelight vigil for gang members shot by another gang mamber? Disgusting.
ReplyDeleteTake all that money used in the "war on drugs" and put it toward drug treatment and jobs programs in cities and rural areas and I bet we'd see far better results in reducing crime than with the lock-em-up for longer sentences approach suggested by many on this blog.
ReplyDeleteDo you honestly think she will be in her office @ 6:40pm on a Friday? Just saying.
ReplyDeleteNot in the least.
Call it an olive branch, of sorts.
One of the reasons we don't see/hear much from her, or why she doesn't attend CAPS meetings, is that she doesn't want to face the myriad of angry constituents.
If we eliminate that excuse, we can either get more cooperation and some public interaction with her office (which is necessary to any sort of comprehensive solution), or we can further demonstrate that the alderman's office is wholly deteched from this very serious problem.
Ron- I'd like to hear some of your ideas as well. I'll bet it will sound like more of the same... look what 40 years of liberal social economic policy has done American society. These shooting "victims" chose their life style. When you refuse to participate in civilized society and been arrested more times than your age, it's noones fault but your own.
ReplyDeleteRon - I have to agree that the "war on drugs" is a massive failure, but a blanket statement saying we should stop arresting people for non-violent crimes is pretty careless. This isn't the wild, wild west... I mean, at least outside of Uptown.
ReplyDeleteSo the economic aspect of the problem MUST be addressed if we want results. The problem, however, is doing that threatens the foundation of our market-driven society to the core so most people and politicians are too afraid to even think about changing the way we deal with drug use, poverty and crime, lest they be called "soft".
ReplyDeleteAs disjointed as that statment may be, news flash.
Ron- I'd like to hear some of your ideas as well. I'll bet it will sound like more of the same... look what 40 years of liberal social economic policy has done American society.
ReplyDeleteMore like 30 years of a massive and misguided "war on drugs." The drug cartels are stronger than ever (see Mexico) but families and individuals continue having their lives destroyed by a draconian system endorsed and perpetuated by Ronnie Raygun and his minions.
I have to agree that the "war on drugs" is a massive failure, but a blanket statement saying we should stop arresting people for non-violent crimes is pretty careless.
Did you know that the US prison population was not quite 475,000 in 1980? Did you know that it's now over 2 MILLION? Did you know that many of those prisoners are there for non-violent drug-related offenses, but when they're released, they're "FELONS" --barred from voting, unable to obtain housing or a job. What do they do, then? What do you think the result to society is when someone can't get an apartment or a job because of a felony rap?
Toucan - what do they do? They come to utopian Uptown where Helen takes care of them.
ReplyDeleteAll I am saying is "non-violent" crimes encompasses a wide range of activities. If there are no consequences for all non-violent crimes, most of America would look like Wilson and Broadway. Is that what you want?
"....I, like other posters on this blog aren't as loving to people that terrorize our neighborhoods or our country. I'm glad it makes you feel good to have pity and compassion for them, you know damn well your nothing but a target if you get in their way..... - RealityCheck
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU. I have mixed feelings about attending a vigil like this. More action from CPD and less "walks, vigils, and protests."
why must you people even acknowledge ron durham ..... honestly.....
ReplyDeleteso much to take in...
ReplyDeleteFirst, the drug war may be a failure, but until the laws are changed there is a responsibility for everyone to obey or suffer the consequences. Also, not all drugs are the same and the use of some drugs does CREATE violence, so let's not pretend everything would be rosy if we just legalized.
Until the laws change, these gang bangers are a curse on our neighborhood and need to be dealt with harshly. They bring nothing positive, absolutely nothing, to the area and only endanger themselves and everyone around them, myself and my children included. I walk past where Aaron was shot everyday and see the damage they inflict in Uptown.
Sneki said: First, the drug war may be a failure, but until the laws are changed there is a responsibility for everyone to obey or suffer the consequences. Also, not all drugs are the same and the use of some drugs does CREATE violence, so let's not pretend everything would be rosy if we just legalized.
ReplyDeleteYes, true consequences should be "suffered" but there should a sense of fairness to the punishment. I think it is lop-sided and overly punitive nature of the drug policies that is the issue and how this harsh punishment has done nothing to stop the problem. WHich is the other point: laws should be effective. Law enforcement is coming to the conclusion that draconian laws are not only ineffective, but also fueling the underground (and violent) market for "illicit" narcotics. If a law is not accomplishing a goal that is useful to society, then I think it is fair it should be reexamined, as Obama is doing with the crack-cocaine/powder cocaine disparity.
Also, lest the opposite be said, I am not "pro-gang banger." I am about taking a global, non-simplistic look at what's fueling this violence, what feeds it. Gang culture is such a strongly entrenched feature of Chicago. Struggles for turf for a lucrative illegal drug market does not help. What's going on here is going on all over Chicago--it's frightening and I would like to see some cross-community discussions. I just don't think this can be fully addressed without understanding the full scope and source of the problem. And I know some of you are quite dismissive of Durham because he is apparently with Copwatch (which you apparently also hate) but shutting down a valid and potentially useful message because you don't like the messenger--how does that help?
Hey UptownWriter, thanks. Did you read about the recent legislation?
ReplyDeleteFrom the article:
For 20 years, a person with just five grams of crack received a mandatory sentence of five years in prison. That same person would have to possess 500 grams of powder cocaine to earn the same punishment.
100-to-1 disparity.
Now, it will only be 18-to-1.
Historic Legislation
It's a start.
Now that the cute little prayer and candlelight vigil is over - it's time for a real march. Not violent, but loud, angry, and pissed off. I'll show up for that one. Not the one where we act like wimps and pray for the dead scumbag.
ReplyDeleteYou can call them scum or whatever, but they are not stupid--by that I mean they see a weakness in the deployment of law enforcement, a weak police response, that is maybe becoming stronger, and they are taking advantage of it. That, in conjunction with gangs shuffling for "turf" to sell these drugs, and their insane ability to buy assault weapons are making them bold. Before the murder on Sheridan a couple years ago, there was a group clearly taking advantage of police's weak way of addressing their presence. They would drape themselves over a bench all night, finally the police would roll by--not get out of the squad car--and the people would stroll away, and then come back after the car left. After teh shooting though, when these folks tried the same thing, I saw a huge difference when the police not only rolled up but stopped and got out of the car and talked to them, and they stopped hanging arounnd that bench. ANd make no mistake--these folks were trying to set up a little point of operation--and the police finally letting them know we are going to be on you drove them off. And there was no violence or anything "improper" on the part of the police--it was that showing that we will do more than roll by, we will stand over you until you leave. Now how do we advocate to get that same sort of aggressive, proactive policing here, where the police are visible in the community, a real disturbance to the flow of business. Marching is fine, but as long as there is weakness the gangs are going to exploit it. They exist, now, to make money, and if we as a society are unwilling to consider cutting off their main trade---illegal narcotics--then I want to see more police deployed here before something jumps off, not after the fact.
ReplyDeleteJohnny King, CEO of Commissioned for the Community, sure does get around.
ReplyDeleteHe's also the leader of Jump Up, the group that got 3 Uptown residents jobs on the WY construction site. I think it was 3... out of 200+ who had problems passing the basic math and skills tests.