Nation of Islam joins fight to stop violence in Chicago

July 23, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Members of the Nation of Islam were back on the streets of Chicago to help stop the violence.

Minister Louis Farrakhan led a march last Monday in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood with about 500 members. This Monday, they took their message to the city's South Shore community.

Three people were killed and 26 injured this past weekend in Chicago. Community leaders say church members taking to the streets makes a difference in preventing such violence.

"I do expect them to start building a relationship with the community that needs leadership and needs the understanding, so the Nation will come in and provide some of that," said Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th Ward.

Minister Farrakhan joined a group of basketball players at Rainbow Beach Park.

"They just need to see they're loved and that's what he's showing them," said Harris.

Handing out DVDs and literature urging peaceful alternatives to violence, they hope to make a difference. Many residents are responding positively.

"People are getting killed on a daily basis and no one seems to be able to do anything about it, so at least these people are trying," said Lewis Boggus, resident.

While the religions are very different, the message is very similar to what St. Sabina members spread during their marches every Friday night this summer.

"If we covered the streets every night and all these communities were seen, I think you would begin to see the violence begin to drop drastically," said Father Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina.

Get more Local »

local, john garcia

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•