Chicagoans Gather to Talk About Gun Violence

Submitted by Eileen Soderstrom

Community members gathered at the Chicago Temple on West Washington Street to hear stories of youth violence compiled in the book “How Long Will I Cry? – Voices of Youth Violence,” created and edited by Miles Harvey, a DePaul University professor.

Harvey and his students interviewed people directly affected by Chicago street violence.

“This book embodies both definitions of the word cry. On the one hand, it is intended as an expression of grief, a means of mourning the hundreds of young Chicagoans whose lives are lost every year," Harvey said. "On the other, it is meant to be howl of protest, a call to action, a cry for peace."   

Chicago actresses Kona Burks and Rengin Altay read from the book. The gathering was hosted by Organizing for Action Illinois.

Victor Valencia read a speech given by his brother, honor student Francisco “Frankie” Valencia at DePaul University, just two weeks before Frankie’s murder. 

Frankie’s mother, Joy McCormick, president and founder of Chicago’s Citizens for Change, spoke of her son’s death and of the work her organization does to address the needs of families devastated by youth violence.

“Working with other survivors on a daily basis reminds me that, even though I’m in pain, there are other people who are in just as much pain,” McCormick said.

Pamela Montgomery-Bosley, mother of gun victim Terrell Bosley, co-founder of Purpose Over Pain and violence prevention manager at the ARK of Saint Sabina, asked this of the assembled audience.

“Please help me and other parents bring closure to our cases that remain unsolved by joining the Movement for Justice for Unsolved Murdered Cases," she said. "Our goal is to save future lives. If you would like to get involved, please call Purpose Over Pain at 773-234-8117.”

Eileen Soderstrom, Organizing for Action’s organizer of the event, invited all participants to write cards with their own personal statements to our legislators concerning how to reduce gun violence in our city, our state and our nation.  

These cards were collected and OFA volunteers will compile these comments and send them to federal and Illinois legislators.  

Anyone who would like a free copy of the book can contact Big Shoulders Books at via its website: bigshouldersbooks.com